Why Are Dogs Scared Of Hoovers?

 

Estimated Read Time: 3 ½ minutes

Summary: Dog scared of the hoover? Well, rest assured, yours isn’t the only one! If you’re asking “why are dogs scared of hoovers?”, in this blog we learn why many dogs hate the hoover and learn how to help them overcome their fear… 

 

Why Are Dogs Scared Of Hoovers?

The most obvious reason your dog may hide, cower or bark at the hoover simply because it’s loud! Dogs have very advanced hearing which means their significantly more sensitive to high volume levels than we are. 

Another reason is the fact that when the hoover is turned on, it's often a surprise. Dog’s are creatures of habit, so if you play loud music or watch the television every day, they’ll have become accustomed to that noise and expect it. When the hoover only gets turned on a couple of times a week, this can then be more of a shock to your dog’s senses. 

They also don’t look very friendly, so your dog may perceive the vacuum cleaner as a physical threat to themselves, their master (you) and their pack (the others in the household), so may bark as a way to warn and protect you from it.

Dog vs Hoover? Here’s How To Help

As we mentioned above, dog’s are creatures of habit and you can use this knowledge to your advantage to help alleviate your dog’s fear of the hoover. 

Firstly, if your vacuum cleaner lives in a cupboard most of the time, try placing the hoover in the room your dog hangs out in the most for an hour every day for a week. This way you’ll help your dog become accustomed to the machine being around and they’ll start to recognise its visual appearance as a friend, not foe. 

Next up, it’s time to get them used to the sound. After the hoover’s been out and visible for an hour a day over a week, begin bringing it out and putting it on for 10-15 seconds. Over another week, extend this time by another 10 seconds each day. 

Then, when it’s time to actually clean your home, try to fix a set time every week that you use it that works for you and your dog. This will help get your dog into the routine of expecting the noise and action. Try to avoid using it during another of their scheduled activities (like their meal times or whilst they sleep) as this will shock them. It’s also advisable to avoid other busy, loud times in the house (for example, whilst a food processor works or a baby cries) as this may feel like an assault of your pooch’s senses. A good routine can help a dog conquer their fear of the hoover. 

Can I Hoover My Dog?

This question depends on your dog’s attitude towards a vacuum cleaner and whether you have a soft, bristled, dog-specific attachment to fix on to your hoover. Hoovers and their suctions are too powerful on your dog’s skin and will hurt them unless you have a dog-specific attachment that's designed for use on a dog. A hoover should only be used to help remove loose, already shed hair too.

If your dog is terrified of the hoover, do not attempt to use it on them until you’ve gotten them used to the noise and visual presence of the machine as detailed above. 

If your dog is OK around the hoover, before you clean them with the dog-specific attachment, allow them to sniff the machine and become familiar with it up close whilst giving them lots of praise. Then, attach the dog-friendly, soft, bristled attachment to the sucker and praise them whilst you use it. Give them lots of nice treats whilst you hoover their fur too. 

If your dog is terrified, shaking or barking a lot, stop immediately. If fur is coming out of your dog’s skin, also stop immediately. Grooming a dog with a brush every day and a regular bathing regime can be just as helpful at removing excess, shed hair as using a hoover’s dog-specific attachment. If your dog is in any way reluctant or hesitant around the hoover, do not attempt to or continue to hoover them. 

Sources

"Why Is My Dog Afraid Of Vacuum Cleaners?" Sep 4. 2020, Mad Paws https://www.madpaws.com.au/blog/why-is-my-dog-afraid-of-vacuum-cleaners/

"Can Dogs Smell Through Air Tight Containers?" Wag Walking https://wagwalking.com/sense/can-dogs-smell-through-airtight-containers

"How To Vacuum Your Dog" Dec 16. 2020, Dog's Best Life https://dogsbestlife.com/dog-grooming/vacuum-your-dog/?cn-reloaded=1