Many dogs bark at vacuum cleaners for a variety of reasons, including the noise, appearance, and lack of socialization. It is important to train according to the cause. If it is really difficult, you need to find a cleaning method that does not use a vacuum cleaner.
Why Do Dogs Bark At Vacuum Cleaners?
Many dogs don’t like vacuum cleaners, and some will even bark if you bring the vacuum cleaner out.
If you leave it as it is, it cannot be ignored because the target may not be limited to just the vacuum cleaner. In order to train your dog not to bark at the vacuum cleaner, it is important to know the reason.
<Main reasons why dogs bark at vacuum cleaners>
- Vacuum cleaner noise is too loud for dogs
- I don’t like the sound frequency that vacuum cleaners make.
- The irregular movements of the vacuum cleaner are scary.
- Due to lack of socialization as a puppy, they are sensitive to new stimuli.
Vacuum Cleaner Noise Is Too Loud For DogsWhen the vacuum cleaner is running, the motor makes a loud noise. The first reason is that they are startled by the loud noise and bark.Many people probably know that dogs have excellent hearing. It’s easy to imagine how loud the noise of a vacuum cleaner is for dogs, who are said to have four times the hearing of humans.They bark not only because they are surprised by the sound of the vacuum cleaner’s motor, but also because they have had a bad experience, such as “I was surprised by a loud noise at first” or “I felt scared when the vacuum cleaner I was leaning against fell over.” Something like this is also possible.
Vacuum Cleaner Noise Is Too Loud For Dogs
When the vacuum cleaner is running, the motor makes a loud noise. The first reason is that they are startled by the loud noise and bark.
Many people probably know that dogs have excellent hearing. It’s easy to imagine how loud the noise of a vacuum cleaner is for dogs, who are said to have four times the hearing of humans.
They bark not only because they are surprised by the sound of the vacuum cleaner’s motor, but also because they have had a bad experience, such as “I was surprised by a loud noise at first” or “I felt scared when the vacuum cleaner I was leaning against fell over.” Something like this is also possible
I Don’t Like The Sound Frequency That Vacuum Cleaners Make
Dogs have excellent hearing and are said to respond to the frequencies emitted by vacuum cleaners.
Ultrasound is a sound whose frequency is too high for humans to hear. It is said that dogs can hear from 65 to 50,000Hz, while humans can hear from 16 to 20,000Hz.
The vacuum cleaner motor noise is around 8,000Hz. This sound range is the most sensitive range for dogs, and they hate this ultrasound. There are even products that use ultrasonic waves such as mosquito sounds to train dogs, taking advantage of things that dogs dislike.
One of the reasons why dogs bark at vacuum cleaners is because they don’t like ultrasonic waves.
The Irregular Movements Of The Vacuum Cleaner Are Scary
For dogs who are not used to vacuuming, the erratic movements of the vacuum cleaner can be incomprehensible and scary.
The movement of a long stick with a head on the end that sweeps the floor is a movement that dogs are wary of. Even if you don’t use a vacuum cleaner, you often see dogs barking even though there is no sound when cleaning with a mop or broom.
A funny video of a man getting bitten by a mop and being dragged has become a hot topic on the internet. This is probably because they were scared and attacked. This shows that the movement of the vacuum cleaner, including its shape, is scary for dogs.
Due To Lack Of Socialization As A Puppy, They Are Sensitive To New Stimuli
Socializing a puppy means being able to respond flexibly to make it fun and comfortable. Socialization allows your dog to get along well with people and other dogs, and to adapt to new stimuli.
Socialization is very important for your dog to live comfortably. If the socialization is not done properly, the dog will not be able to control his/her barking, aggression, and fear, which will develop into behavioral problems.
If they are unable to adapt to new stimuli, they will become fearful and stressed, leading to increased barking and aggression. A dog that is constantly stressed cannot be said to be living a comfortable life. Therefore, socialization is said to be important.
Barking at the vacuum cleaner may be a sign of poor socialization. There may be cases where the child is unable to adapt to stimuli and is aggressive due to fear.
4 Steps To Get Your Dog Used To Vacuuming!
Just because your dog barks at the vacuum cleaner doesn’t mean you won’t clean it. Therefore, let’s train your dog to get used to the vacuum cleaner. It’s important to know why your dog barks in the first place.
- If the vacuum cleaner becomes quiet when the operating sound stops: You hate or are scared of noise.
- If you bark at the sight of a vacuum cleaner: The vacuum cleaner looks scary or you have had a bad experience.
The key is to take it slow and steady, don’t get angry, and don’t push yourself too hard. Go through the steps and train your dog little by little.
Step 1: Place The Vacuum Cleaner Where It Can Be Seen
To help your dog get used to the look of the vacuum cleaner, place it where your dog can see it at all times.
Many vacuum cleaners these days come in stylish designs that don’t get in the way of your interior decor. By reminding your child of the existence of a vacuum cleaner on a daily basis, you can reduce their sense of dislike for it.
Once you get used to it, naturally move closer to the vacuum cleaner while playing with it. You should gradually be able to come closer and smell it. It is most important that people understand that it is not dangerous.
Step 2: Get Used To The Vacuum Cleaner Movement Without Turning It On
Once your dog gets used to the presence of the vacuum cleaner, the next step is to get him used to its movements.
Let’s move it without turning on the power. It will startle if you suddenly move it too much, so at first, just lay it down and make small movements back and forth. If your dog notices that you are moving, your dog should come closer.
When you approach your dog, smile and talk to your dog. If your dog seems concerned from a distance, it might be a good idea to call your dog over. The key is to be careful not to startle your dog by making big movements in a hurry.
To avoid giving a bad impression, try to make small movements until your dog gets used to it.
Step 3: Vacuum While Holding The Baby
If you vacuum while holding your dog, your dog will understand that vacuuming is not dangerous. In the arms of a reassuring owner, your pet will slowly let down its guard.
It will be a success if you can replace the fear of vacuum cleaners with a sense of security by being held by the owner. However, the condition is that your dog loves cuddles. If you don’t like hugging, don’t do it as it will have the opposite effect.
Step 4: Get Used To Small Sounds
This is a way to get your child used to the small noises by setting the vacuum cleaner to low. Gradually increase the volume while keeping an eye on your dog.
If your dog barks even at a weak level, it is effective to vacuum in another room and get used to the sound. If your dog doesn’t like both sounds and looks, you’ll need to get used to them one by one.
It doesn’t matter which way you start, so don’t rush and get used to it step by step.
What To Do If Your Dog Really Doesn’T Like Vacuuming?
Sometimes you just can’t get over the vacuum cleaner. As your dog grows older, training becomes more difficult. If further training is only stressing your dog out, consider using a cleaning method other than vacuuming.
It may be inconvenient for people, but it cannot be said that it is more comfortable for your dog than it is stressful. In everyday life, it is thought that dogs often adapt to human life.
In order to live a comfortable life, you need to think about your dog and be willing to give in.
Clean While Walking Your Dog
If your dog barks when you see or hear the vacuum cleaner, try vacuuming while your dog is away. Opportunities are when family members are taking them for a walk or taking them out.
If you don’t mind spending time at a facility, you may want to use services such as temporary storage. Taking this opportunity to increase opportunities to go outside will also help reduce your dog’s stress.
Use Flooring Wipers, Brooms, And Mops
Another option is to use cleaning products that don’t make noise. This is effective for dogs that react to the sound of vacuum cleaners.
However, some dogs may also bark at floor wipes or mops. It may be easier to get used to a quiet floor wiper or mop than a loud vacuum cleaner.
To avoid making a bad first impression, try showing it to your dog while it is lying down at first. If your dog sniffs without barking, he may get used to it little by little.
Switch To A Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
It’s no wonder that ultra-small dogs and small dogs are afraid of vacuum cleaners that are several times their size. Therefore, if you try switching to a smaller hand-held vacuum cleaner, your dog may stop barking.
One way to do this is to change the nozzle of your old vacuum cleaner to a shorter one. Because it is shorter, it feels smaller, so you may not be afraid to operate it.
However, there are disadvantages such as lower back pain as you have to use the vacuum cleaner while bending over. It is also important to reduce the burden on the pet owner, such as choosing which rooms to vacuum and using a broom for the rest of the time, or vacuuming one room at a time every day.
Summary
Here are some reasons why dogs bark at vacuum cleaners:
- The sound is loud and scary
- I don’t like the frequency of the vacuum cleaner.
- I’m scared because I can’t understand the movements.
- insufficient socialization
Aim to overcome vacuum cleaners by training your dog to get used to its sounds, appearance, and movements. It is important to do this slowly and at a pace that suits your dog.
If your child is still not good at cleaning, you may need to devise a cleaning method other than the vacuum cleaner. Although it is somewhat inconvenient not to be able to use a vacuum cleaner, it is thought to be effective in reducing stress for your dog.
Understand what your dog doesn’t like about vacuum cleaners and make sure you both are comfortable.
You can also read this post: Why Do Dogs Lick Each Other’s Faces and Ears? The Truth About Dog Licking
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