Buzz
If you regularly delay vacuuming to spare your dog, you're likely not alone—these machines are infamous for sending our pets into a frenzy.
The noise alone can be enough to frighten them. Noise aversion, or the fear of sudden loud sounds, is common in dogs, which explains why many of them also dread fireworks and thunderstorms. But vacuums differ: They move unpredictably across the floor, and your dog may not understand that you’re the one controlling their path.
"The abrupt onset of a loud noise and intense vibration will startle most dogs and frighten them. Their instinct is to flee before it harms them," veterinarian Dr. Diane Levitan told Reader's Digest. "It also moves in a 'threatening manner' and often stays near their beloved owner, whom they want to protect." Moreover, vacuums stir up long-settled dust and particles, releasing a burst of scents that could overwhelm your dog's sensitive nose.
While explaining to your dog why the vacuum is scary may not fix the issue, there are other strategies that might help. Generally, more exposure is beneficial—if you only vacuum once in a while, your dog will likely be more frightened than if it's accustomed to seeing the vacuum regularly. Offering your dog treats when the vacuum is running can also help create a positive association, making it less anxious around the noisy machine. PetMD provides detailed instructions on how to train your dog using this approach. If you’re short on time before your next cleaning session, you can guide your dog to a quiet room, turn on a box fan or white noise machine, and hope the sounds are loud enough to mask the vacuum’s noise.
