If you routinely put off vacuuming for the sake of your dog, you’re not alone — the machines are notorious for sending pets into a tailspin. The sound can be scary enough on its own, as a dislike for unanticipated loud noise is common among dogs. That’s why so many of them hate fireworks and thunderstorms. Vacuums, on the other hand, don’t stay in the sky — they zoom across the floor erratically, and your dog might not realize you’re actually controlling its movement. It's instinct for dogs to get away from the vacuum before it eats them. Now that you know the why of your dog’s aversion to the vacuum, here are a few tips to what you can do to help. The more exposure the better. The longer in between vacuums, the more afraid of the vacuum your dog will be. Tossing your dog some treats whenever the vacuum is around will create a positive association and make your pet dread the mechanical monster less. If even these things don’t work, the best thing to do is lead your dog to a secluded room, turn on a box fan or white noise machine, and hope it’s loud enough to drown out the sounds of the vacuum.
