My Puppy is Scared of the Vacuum
If you were little, you’d probably be scared of such a big noisy machine too. In the following video I am training my puppy Adley to accept that the vacuum is no big deal.
The process works through a number of steps (some not shown in the video)
Start the training by leaving the vacuum in the room for a few days, and reward the puppy for looking at it, then smelling it, and lastly not caring about it. It’s just a thing in the room.
With the vacuum off, move it around, and reward the puppy (click and treat) for just calmly hanging out.
With the vacuum on, but not moving, again reward the puppy for just chilling.
Finally, with the vacuum on, and moving, reward for being a chill puppy.
If at any point the puppy is showing stress, stop, take a break, and start again, but at a previous step. Repeat steps 3 and 4 a few times over a couple of weeks to reinforce the idea that the vacuum is something that equals treats. As training progresses, start reducing the amount of treats, until vacuuming just becomes a normal part of life.
In the video you will notice Huxley, my big boy, has no issues with the vacuum. He’s 2 years old and has learned the vacuum game. He was rewarded for hearing the vacuum and now just gets treats because he is helping me teach Adley that the vacuum isn’t a big deal. Good job buddy!
