Why Is My Dog Scared of the Vacuum?

Many dogs bark at, chase or run from the vacuum.

Why vacuums bother dogs

• Noise. Dogs hear more than we do, and the vacuum is loud.
• Movement. It moves toward them in an unpredictable way.
• No warning. It appears suddenly and seems to "chase" them around the house.

What you can do

• Give your dog a safe space in another room while you vacuum, with a long-lasting chew or food toy.
• Practice with the vacuum turned off: let your dog sniff it and reward calm behavior.
• Turn it on briefly at a distance, reward, and turn it off. Build up slowly over days.

If your dog's fear is intense or spreading to other sounds, a vet or certified trainer can help.

This article is educational and is not veterinary advice. If a behavior is new, sudden, or comes with other changes in your dog, check in with your vet.

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