Vacuuming is a normal household chore that we all face day to day. But for some of our four-legged friends, it can pose as more of a problematic situation. More than often, dogs are afraid of vacuums which makes the task of cleaning around the house that little more complicated.
We can’t avoid the task all together, so how can we work our way around this if our dog is scared of vacuums? We’re here to help offer advice so that you can work with your dog to create positive associations with the vacuum cleaner. And hopefully, the end result should mean you can clean without worrying about your dog getting upset.
Household objects that dogs tend to be afraid of include vacuum cleaners, brooms and lawnmowers. With these all being common household objects, it’s important to address the cause of their fear.
All dogs are different. Therefore, not each case or extent of their fear of objects will be the same. Some dogs are sensitive to everyday noises, whereas others remain calmer. Likewise, for some dogs that have been conditioned from a young age, vacuums are simply just an encounter. For others however, it can be more challenging and cause them distress.
When you think about it, a vacuum cleaner is an odd object for dogs to get used to. The same applies for lawnmowers. Let’s put ourselves in their shoes. It makes a lot of noise, is quite big, shudders and vibrates! So, imagine this large unknown object is making loud noises and coming towards you. To a dog, it can seem as if they are being chased.
Then we also have the robotic form of vacuums. These may be seen as even more unpredictable! Not only do they make noises when starting up, but they also move rather suddenly and then hide away. From a dog's angle, they would seem to behave like another small creature. And this all makes perfect sense with why some dogs are afraid of vacuums.
Despite there being other loud household objects, such as a hairdryer, these don’t make anywhere near the same level of noise and disruption. Without gentle and gradual introduction to “mysterious” objects, your dog can become scared of these overtime.
These are all possible signs that your dog is scared of vacuum cleaners.
The reasons for why some dogs are scared of vacuum cleaners will differ, but the main reasons include:
The most common reason why dogs are afraid of vacuums is the noise they give off. Dogs have amazing hearing and can hear different frequencies to humans. This means a normal sound to us may sound far more distressing to our four-legged friends. We also have to keep in mind that some dogs have noise anxiety. This can make them even more sensitive to loud, sudden noises.
Although we tend to think of loud bangs like fireworks when thinking of noise anxiety in dogs, it’s important not to discount the generic household object. In fact, hoovers are a more than typical sound that scares dogs.
It is possible that your dog sees the vacuum cleaner as a threat. With the loud and scary noises they can produce, a dog could feel scared of this and jump into protector mode.
In general, nervous dogs may find the noise and presence of a vacuum cleaner overwhelming. Because of this, their response tends to present itself in signs of fear.
Their sense of smell works the same way as their heightened levels of hearing. Dogs have a powerful sense of smell so it could very well be that the vacuum is releasing different scents to what they are used to. As they pass over the floor lifting dirt and debris, the smell they give off can contribute to a sensory overload for your dog.
A Bad First Encounter
A situation as small as a bad first encounter could very well be the reason why your dog is scared of vacuums. As with other fears, these can develop and worsen over time. Bad experiences could involve being startled by the vacuum or accidentally having a paw get in the way, which could result in them viewing the object as a concern in the future.
The key to helping your dog overcome their fear is gradual exposure. This involves increasing exposure step-by-step, at a pace your dog is comfortable with, while rewarding them as you go to reinforce this calm approach.
It will take time to help them learn that vacuum cleaners are just another household item. For nervous dogs, it could take a little longer to make the adjustment.
As well as these tips, you may also want to consider products that could help your nervous dog with loud indoor noises. The ADAPTIL Calm Diffuser can be used in conjunction with the above advice to give your dog the best chance of overcoming their fears.
Note: If the above tips do not work and your dog shows severe anxiety, or their ability to cope is getting worse, always consult your vet to check for any underlying conditions. We also recommend getting advice from an accredited behaviourist or trainer.
It’s important to always maintain patience with our four-legged friends! If trying these steps progressively, overtime you should start to see results. Taking things step by step should help break the cycle of fear for dogs scared of vacuums. And for those who are new to the object, following these steps will help condition them from the get go.
For more tips and advice on keeping your dog calm in stressful situations, contact us. We offer a collection of products for supporting dogs and cats. Check out our customer testimonials to hear more on what they thought!