fear of vacuum

[WELOVESPUPPIES]

I know a lot of dogs have this problem, fear of the vacuum. How do I help Chopper get over this? Is there a way? All he has to do is see the vacuum and he runs to hide. I just let him go. I do not try to coax him out or tell him it is alright. I was just hoping that eventually he would realize it was not going to bother him and he would get better. He's not. I don't mind that he hides, I just wondered if anyone out there had any ideas on how to maybe help him get over his fear. I don't want to try anything that may potentially make the problem worse, maybe I should just let him be afraid and go hide? He is scared of the vacuum but not our Harley - go figure. The only difference between the introduction of the two is that he was on his leash the first time my hubby started his bike up and I was standing outside with Chopper on the ground next to me. He did at first pull at the leash to try to get away but I just paid him no mind and stayed there. After a couple of minutes he realized it was not going to hurt him and now it doesn't even phase him when my husband starts it up. Does anyone out there have any ideas?

[PupPLuv]

Yeah...Macie was terrified of the vacuum when we got her. (Along with lawnmowers, hula hoops, her reflection, and water....haha!) She would not come out of hiding if she caught a glimpse of a vacuum cleaner. I guess this won't help you out much now, but honestly, she just got used to it. After a few weeks, Macie would just bark at it and chase it, and eventually she realized it was no threat to her. Maybe just by keeping it at a safe distance for now Chopper will learn it's okay. Okay...that might not have helped at all. Hope it works out!

[critter crazy]

Hmmm....I giess if you kept the vaccum out, and gave him a treat for going near it. Then as he gradually got more confident you do the same with it on. But I am not sure, as I have never had the problem. I am sure someone could help you tho!

[Seravieve]

All three of mine are 'scared' of it.. maybe more annoyed than scared though. They all get up on the couch when I vacuum the living room. Or when I'm upstairs, they just go in different rooms or stand on the bed and watch. Bunny really hates the hose though.. when I take that off to clean small areas she goes nuts. But I figure thats because she has aggression issues. So I don't really know.. the treat when he walks by it idea seems logical. Id bet that'd work well, over time. Eli did used to run from it when he first got here, but he has gotten used to it I believe. So Im with the others, I think it just takes time, and he'll get used to it.

[BC_MoM]

Molly doesn't like the vacuum either. Mickey on the other hand, you have to holler at to move. He doesn't give a crap about it! LOL

I just don't even bother with Molly about the vacuum. I let her run away if she wants. It doesn't affect me vacuuming, or her for long. So I just don't even worry about it.

[Canis-Lupess]

As ours always lived outdoors, we never had this issue but, being Border collies, they had that common BC habit of attacking things like lawn mowers, motorbikes or scooters if they are still for long enough. They wouldn't chase one but lawn mowers are slower so they'll attack those anytime they come into contact with one. It's something about small engines that sets them off. When people start bikes up, they really gets them going.

Now that Jess comes into the porch which is enclosed and carpeted and gets hoovered, we realised that she is also a hoover biter. I have to close her out of her lawn area when I mow it because she goes for the lawn mower really bad and she also has a go at the hoover now she comes inside so fear isn't an issue with ours. It's more them trying to grab the damned thing as you are pushing it backwards and forwards.

I don't think it's a big issue if the dog just goes and hides whilst the hoovering is being done. At least they are out of your way. Better than dogs like ours who want to keep trying to pick it up off the floor and going for it and getting in the way.
Maybe just let the dog hide and don't worry too much about it.

[tikeyas_mom]

Chopper is such a small dog. And to be honest, I havent met a dog that isnt affraid of agressive towards the vaccume.. All three of my girls HATE the vaccume.. They stay away from it at all costs.. Now when I vaccume they know to just leave the room... I would just let Chopper do his thing, and stay away form the vaccume if he chooses.. I used to have a Cocker Spaniel who would actually ATTACK the Vaccume whenever it was turned on.. Behappy Chopper doesnt do that lol.