How to Keep a Dog from Chasing the Vacuum Cleaner

Posted by Laura McMann on August 6th, 2019

Method1: Keeping Your Dog Away from the Vacuum Cleaner

1. Put your dog in its crate. To prevent your dog from chasing the vacuum cleaner, crate your dog. Put it in its crate and close the door. This way, when you vacuum, your dog cannot chase the vacuum cleaner.

You may feel more comfortable crating your dog while you vacuum if you are used to keeping it in its crate. Dogs who are used to being in their crate are often more amenable to being in their crate while you vacuum.

2. Let your dog play outside while you vacuum. If you have access to a front or back yard, let your dog outside while you vacuum. Put a few toys out in the yard or give your dog a bone to enjoy in the yard so they are not indoors. This can then make it easier for you to vacuum without the dog chasing it.

Make this a habit so that every time you vacuum, your dog knows it is time for them to go outside and play. This will make going outside while you vacuum part of their routine.

3. Use a gate to keep your dog in a separate room. If you cannot let your dog outdoors or want to keep them indoors, use a doggy gate to secure them in a separate room while you vacuum. This could be a back room in your home or an area by the back door. Make sure the gate or fence is secure before you start vacuuming.

You can also keep your dog in a separate room with the door closed if you do not have access to an indoor gate or fence.
You may save the fenced off area for last and let your dog outside while you vacuum the area. This way, they are not able to chase around the vacuum cleaner while it is running.

Method2: Using Obedience Training

1. Tell your dog to “stay” in another room. Use obedience training like the “stay” command to get your dog to stop chasing the vacuum cleaner. Tell your dog to stay in another room. Reward them with a treat when they sit and stay. Have them stay while you vacuum. Reward them again if they stay in place and do not run or chase the vacuum cleaner.

You may try having your dog “stay” outside with a treat or behind a gate or fence indoors. This may reduce the temptation for them to chase the vacuum cleaner while it’s running, even while they are sitting and staying.

2. Have your dog "lie down" in another room. Another way to neutralize your dog and get them to stay calm while you vacuum is to instruct them to “lie down” in another room. Reward them with a treat when they lie down and tell them to “stay.” This will ensure they do not get up and chase after the vacuum cleaner.

You can also give your dog a bone to chew on while they lay down so they are not tempted to get up and chase the vacuum cleaner.

3. Instruct your dog to “go to their place” while you vacuum. If your dog knows the “go to your place” command, use it when you vacuum. Your dog may have a designated place or spot that they go to to relax and calm down when someone is at the door or there is commotion outside. This could be their bed, a spot on the floor, or a spot by the door. Reward your dog with a treat once they go to their place and instruct them to stay there until you call them.

This obedience trick is a good option if your dog is already comfortable with the “go to your place” command and you want to keep them away from the vacuum cleaner while it is on.

Method3: Desensitizing Your Dog to the Vacuum Cleaner

1. Put your dog on its leash. Desensitizing your dog to the vacuum cleaner is a process that requires patience and consistency. Start by putting your dog on a leash and holding the leash in your hand. This will give you control over your dog while you work on desensitizing them to the sight and sound of the vacuum.

If your dog is really jumpy or excited at even the sight of the vacuum cleaner, you may put them on their leash in an adjacent room so they can get used to the sound of the vacuum from a safe distance.
You may ask a friend or partner to assist you by holding your dog by its leash while you hold the vacuum cleaner. This can make it easier for you to keep your dog under control.

2. Get your dog used to the presence of the vacuum cleaner. Take the vacuum and unroll the cord. Your dog may react to the sound of the cord. Speak to them in a calm voice and instruct them to relax. Reward them with a treat if they do not run or chase after the vacuum upon seeing it.

Hold the vacuum and stand in front of your dog. Tell them to stay calm and reward them again with a treat if they stay relaxed in the presence of the vacuum.
Continue doing this until your dog is relaxed, comfortable, and no longer showing fear of the vacuum cleaner. Then, you can move on to the next step.

3. Run the vacuum cleaner back and forth in front of your dog. Start with the vacuum unplugged to get your dog used to seeing the vacuum moving back and forth in front of them. Then, plug it in and move it back and forth slowly in front of your dog. The goal is to get your dog used to the movements of the vacuum without chasing or running after it.

If your dog reacts by barking at the vacuum or chasing after it, turn the vacuum off and go back to simply standing in front of your dog with the vacuum in your hand. Once they calm down, reward them with a treat. Then, gradually turn the vacuum on and run it a few times in front of your dog.

4. Reinforce positive behavior with treats and praise. As you go through the process of desensitizing your dog to the vacuum cleaner, continue to reinforce their positive behavior. Give them treats and verbal praise like “good job!” or “great going!” when they stay calm around the vacuum cleaner.

If your dog does not react positively to the process, do not get angry at them or yell at them. This will only make them more fearful and anxious around the vacuum cleaner. Instead, stay calm and have your dog try again.

5. Repeat until the dog is calm around the vacuum cleaner. Repeat these steps several times until your dog appears calm around the vacuum cleaner when it is on and moving around the room. Once they appear relaxed around the vacuum cleaner, take them off the leash. Let them sit in the room while you vacuum. Reward them with a treat if they stay calm and do not chase the vacuum cleaner while it is on.

You may need to work on desensitizing your dog to the vacuum cleaner over a period of a few days to a few weeks, depending on how riled up your dog gets around the vacuum. Be patient and consistent with this process. Over time, your dog should learn to remain calm and stationary around the vacuum.

Like it? Share it!

About the Author

Laura McMann
Joined: July 1st, 2019
Articles Posted: 2

More by this author

Best Grooming Clippers for Dogs