At first glance, the reason for dogs' fear of the vacuum cleaner is obvious — the loud noise. However, this is not the only factor that makes them hide. Let's consider why dogs experience fear of the vacuum cleaner and how to help them adapt to the sounds of cleaning.
Loud noises can cause strong fear in dogs. It doesn't matter where they come from: whether it's a vacuum cleaner, fireworks, or a thunderstorm. However, unlike fireworks and bad weather, vacuum cleaners are in close proximity to animals, which intensifies the fear.
A sudden loud noise and noticeable vibration can scare most dogs. Their instincts tell them to run away from this strange noisy object before it causes harm, veterinarians explain. At the same time, the vacuum cleaner is often near their beloved owner, whom they feel the need to protect at all costs. As a result, dogs experience cognitive dissonance: on one hand, they want to flee, and on the other, they want to protect their owner.
Additionally, vacuum cleaners pick up dust from the floor, which can irritate sensitive dog noses. Agreeably, this is not the most pleasant combination: noise, fear, and the urge to sneeze.
How to Get Your Dog Used to the Vacuum Cleaner
Explaining to your dog why it shouldn't be afraid of the vacuum cleaner is unlikely to work with words. Instead, try other methods:
Vacuum more often. If you constantly postpone this procedure to avoid disturbing your pet, the dog will always be afraid of the vacuum cleaner — it simply won't have a chance to get used to it.
You can also treat your pet with a treat while the vacuum is running to create a positive association.
If these methods don't help, you can simply take the dog to another room, close the door, and turn on a fan or white noise to drown out the sounds of the vacuum cleaner. Although the dog is unlikely to get used to the noise, it will be less anxious.
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