Does your robot vacuum scare your dog? Easy tips to calm your pup

A robot vacuum is a cool and handy cleaning gadget that delivers an efficient and powerful cleaning. That means you no longer have to lay on your floor just to get those piles of pet hair under your couch.

The best robot vacuum cleaner will do all the tiresome floor cleaning for you and solve the hair problem that comes with owning a dog. It will navigate under furniture and move across the room, sucking up dog hair, dander, debris, and dust.

What’s more, you only need to click some buttons on most robovacs, and they’ll do the chore whenever you schedule it. Hence, you’ll have more free time to take care of other things.

But no matter how much the entire family loves your new robotic vacuum, there’s one member that’s not so welcoming. Yes, that’s your four-legged friend.

Why do dogs hate vacuums?

If you have pets at home, investing in a robot vacuum is one of the best decisions you can make. It will make picking pet hairs and dander a thing of the past.

Moreover, the latest models have a suction powerful enough to take care of hair both from your tiles and carpets. You can even find a self-cleaning robot that detangles and removes pet hair that collects around the brush. So that’s another thing you don’t have to worry about.

But if you’ve been putting off buying one because of your beloved pet, then you may want to reconsider. Most dogs can adapt to a robotic vacuum quickly unlike with a traditional vacuum. One of the major reasons for that is because the robot does not seem much of a threat to them. On top of that, it will not produce as much noise as your upright vacuum.

Dogs have sensitive ears and traditional vacs are usually very loud. In fact, the noise levels they produce are as high as 80 decibels, which is almost the same as the engine of your car. So now you can understand why your dog hates even the mere sight of your vacuum cleaner.

Meanwhile, the noise level that robovacs is somewhere around 50 to 60 decibels. That’s basically the level of the sound or hum your refrigerator produces.

Size is another factor that plays a part here. Robot vacuum cleaners have a small and compact design that’s why dogs are less threatened by them. Then there’s the how it moves gently across the room rather than the sharp back and forth actions you make with your upright vac.

A robotic vacuum, on the other hand, has a sweeping style movement. This allows your dog to be more comfortable around it over time. So if your conventional vacuum is scaring your dog, perhaps it’s time to consider switching to a robot. This particularly beneficial if your dog is very susceptible to noises and unfamiliar objects.

How do dogs usually react to a robot vacuum?

Like with most dogs, your fur buddy will not like the idea that there’s “a new member” of the pack. Well, at least initially. Your dog’s first reaction to the robot whizzing throughout your home is going to be curiosity.

This is something new to him. It’s unlike anything your pet has seen and encountered before. After that, the next reaction may vary between dogs. Some may start barking because they see the cleaner as a threat to them and his family. On the other hand, some may see it as a harmless moving object and just ignore it.

Other pups may also get frightened. This is especially true if your robovac is a bit noisy for their liking. In such a case, your dog may run off and hide or cower whenever you set your vacuum to work or if it gets a tad close.

Over time, the majority of dogs eventually learn to accept and get along with it. Nevertheless, there are ways on how you can help your pet get friendly with your robot sooner.

How can you help your dog get along with a robotic vacuum?

You can prevent your dog from barking and running after your cleaning equipment by following the simple tips below.

Be patient and wait

This is applicable to the majority of pets. Just be a little patient with your dog. Eventually, your pooch will come around and accept that the robot is here to stay.

Your pet may appear annoyed or slightly fearful at first whenever your high-tech vacuum comes close but this is not a major concern. But make sure to stay nearby during your robovac’s first few cleaning sessions in case your pet gets too frightened or attacks the unit.

Consider restraining your dog

There are times when a dog may react aggressively. If this happens, try to restrain your pet by putting him on a leash or holding him. Also, do not leave the room where your robotic vacuum cleaner is running.

Doing so can help calm your dog knowing that you’re there and that the machine is pretty harmless. After a few minutes, try to release your pet to see if there’s a change to his reaction to the robot. If he’s still aggressive towards it, restrain him a little longer.

Avoid forcing your dog

Never force your four-legged companion to adapt to the vacuum right away by yelling. Additionally, do not forcefully hold the device to your dog’s face since his aggressiveness and anxiety towards it will worsen.

The key here is to stay calm while reassuring your pooch that there’s nothing to be afraid of since it’s a harmless piece of equipment. And don’t forget to give your dog a treat as a reward if he manages to behave and stay calm.

Warning signs: 9 dog illness symptoms and what they mean