vacuum

[tradintraci]

Diezel is now 14 weeks and were trying to socalize him as much as possible. He's overcome the dreaded drill my husband uses, the lawnmower is his friend now but Mr. Vacuum is still his enemy. He freaks out even when I bring it out. I've left it out (off) and reasurred him and petting him it's ok but he would rather not eat than to have Mr. Vacuum within eye shot. Any suggestion.

Dirty carpet

[VANCOUVERISLANDROT]

Oscar's now 6 months old and he still is freaked of the vacuum. I can use anything else (tools, blenders etc) in the house and he could care less. I've even used my carpet steam cleaner (almost like a vacuum) around him and he didn't care. But bring out the big, man, nasty vacuum and he's all panicky around the house. Go figure!?

[StephanieandToby]

If you are petting and reassuring your puppy when there is nothing to be afraid of...then you are just reinforcing his fears. Your actions are telling him it is all right to be afraid.
I would just stick the vacuum in a place where the puppy is ......leave it off...and ignore your dog.(Baby steps.)

[VANCOUVERISLANDROT]

I don't know if either way helps. LOL! I've never coddled Oscar or soothed him when the vacuums on and he's still petrified.

[tradintraci]

Today, I used the vacuum then just left it off near his food (of course his main drive) and left a "cookie" on top of it. I think he would of rather starved than to have to go near it. My husband came home and made me put it away. But I think everyday I will just bring it out of the closet and park it with a cookie. Briefly everyday and see what happens.

[StephanieandToby]

Originally Posted by tradintraci

Today, I used the vacuum then just left it off near his food (of course his main drive) and left a "cookie" on top of it. I think he would of rather starved than to have to go near it. My husband came home and made me put it away. But I think everyday I will just bring it out of the closet and park it with a cookie. Briefly everyday and see what happens.

That sounds good. If you just leave it out where he can see it all the time, and if you act like having it there is the most natural thing in the world...he should get used to it.... it might take longer to get him used to actually having it ON....some dogs never get accustomed to it...but just keep trying.
Good luck!

[emillinium]

yes he might very well nver be ok with it, Chase is almost 3 now and this has always been her number 1 freak out item (the other is bikes) but I found that it is actually eaiser to vacume with out a rottie in the way

[Mochasmom]

First time I pulled the vacuum out with Fritz he only tried to eat it once it was turned on. I put him in a down stay away from the offending object and he had a nap. The next time he did the same thing, as did I and by the third time he didn't care anymore.
No fuss no muss from me and he takes it the same now too.

I used to vacuum Mocha, she loved it, that was very handy whilst shedding!

[emillinium]

Originally Posted by Mochasmom

First time I pulled the vacuum out with Fritz he only tried to eat it once it was turned on. I put him in a down stay away from the offending object and he had a nap. The next time he did the same thing, as did I and by the third time he didn't care anymore.
No fuss no muss from me and he takes it the same now too.

I used to vacuum Mocha, she loved it, that was very handy whilst shedding!

Gee, I wish it was only that easy for me...........

[scooterjohansen]

The vacuum is achilles only issue, well apart from people who jump over the fence but the vacuum is an unknown thing. We have tried everything mentioned above and still the same thing happens everytime. So we just put up with it. I know there is no help in this post but its my first post for a long time and vacuum is in our house a mystery. We use an old style electrolux with the rubber hose and metal poles. we thought maybe it was the shape of the vacuum that is a threat.

[poohbearsmom]

Originally Posted by tradintraci

Diezel is now 14 weeks and were trying to socalize him as much as possible. He's overcome the dreaded drill my husband uses, the lawnmower is his friend now but Mr. Vacuum is still his enemy. He freaks out even when I bring it out. I've left it out (off) and reasurred him and petting him it's ok but he would rather not eat than to have Mr. Vacuum within eye shot. Any suggestion.

Dirty carpet

No petting while pup is exhibiting fearful or hesitant behavior! That will only reinforce the fear / hesitance.

Leash your pup (so he cannot high tail it out of the room). Bring him into the room where the vacuum is already, with a handfull of hot dog bits... (or FAVORITE yummy)... start by distracting your pup with a few 'sit' exercises and food rewards... get closer to the vacuum... if he reacts to it at ANY time... tell him how silly he is.

Now it's time for YOU to be silly. Talk to the vacuum. Drop tidbits of food around/on it. Let your pup get over it on his own. Each time he takes a treat near or off the vacuum praise him and get silly. Pet the vacuum, sing to the vacuum, do whatever it takes for your pup to acknowledge that what doesn't kill him makes him stronger.

If your pup tries to exit stage left, simply hold the leash and go 'neutral' on him.

You may have to do this in several sessions - especially if you've reinforced the fear unwittingly up to this point. Start a few feet away from the vacuum, if he conquers that; do something else for a while and go back to it - you want him to leave the situation each time 'Triumphant'.

Once he's OK with the vacuum off, start out slow with the motor running - pup distracted by play with another family member in another room, etc...

baby steps.

Hope this helps.

[fischtail]

I put both of mine outside with bully sticks while I'm vacuuming. It's too much of a headache to have them both barking and going nuts. My lovely new Dyson vacuum cleaner has TEETH MARKS all over it from my older one running at it and biting it?!?!? Never seen her act like this towards anything else. I think the little one is learning the bad behavior from her. We tried leaving it out...they both ignore it. We tried the cookie on it...they would both rather starve. Once the thing it on, forget-about-it.... it's a monster from beyond and it's there for one reason and one reason only: to kill them. Oh well.

[tradintraci]

Our GSD always bit the vacuum. I've been leaving it out for about 20 min everyday (with yummys on it) He KNOWS it's out cause he just avoids the room. Today maybe we'll play catch in the same room. "talk to the vacuum?"
Maybe that will make him jealous and want to see what's going on!!! I could totally see that. Maybe? who knows.

[abhims]

mine hates the hair dryer ..i use it after a bath to dry him off. He likes it once it starts warming him up ..but till the time he knows what it's doing he is terrified.

[windsonguk]

At first ours didnt much like the vac, now we have the older one 19mths, who still just removes herself from the room, doesnt really like it but doesnt make too much of a fuss, but our 5 + 12 mths stand and wait to be brushed when on hose, i suck their faces, necks u name it, they now love it.
We made a game of it - id put it on and talk to it, laughing and making it fun -they were so nosey they couldnt resist having a look.Within a coupe of days they were best friends. Now when it goes on, i tell them they have to wait until ive finnished before they get their turn.
Our older one will come round given time - i think the art is not to make a fuss of anything, just make it fun.