Hi, anyone got any good advice on how to get my mini schnauzer used to me using a vacuum cleaner. He isn't happy when it is switched on or off - he wails really strongly.

Does he like playing fetch. My Gsd was mad about tennis balls (stills is !) but was VERY agressive towards the vacuum cleaner. So while the vacuum was on, we'd play fetch (to get her mind off the vacuum) and i'd throw the ball closer and closer towards the vacuum. I think she realised then that vacuum wasn't a threat.
I dont think you'll find that method in the books, but it worked for me.
Goodluck whatever you try
Josh

Hi
Don't know about the good advice but my first dog used to make sexual advances towards the vacuum cleaner.
Others over the years either leave the room in disgust as in
'how dare I annoy them & upset their rest by getting that thing out' or just stay put & ignore it completely. Never had any wailing.
Good luck anyway
Steph

Oh that is funny, that describes jy lot. The youyngest you litterally have to shove with the dyson to get the vaccuming done, and the others tend to get up and walk away if it isobvious I won't be just doing the middle!

My first dog a Groenendael was very frightened of the vaccuum, eyse out on stalks. Turns out their Mum was fine with the vac, but the Jack Russell they had was one who ran around barking, and the pups foillowed his example.

I ignored the behaviour but left her a clear escape route away from it. At first she would run out the room and hide in kitchen or out in the garden, but gradually she accepted it more and more, eventually staying in the same room, as long as it wasn't pointing in her direction.

A vac isn't like a person or other pet that they need to get on with, so allow her to decide how close to the thing she is happy to be. Do not sympathise or appear to notice though!!! :D

My dogs were both terrified of the vacuum. So I desensitised them by loading it with dog cookies. I started every week just taking the vacuum out and putting cookies near it, then eventually on it, then round and under it as they got braver. after a few sessions of this I would vacuum after the cookie session, and at the end of the vacuuming would do the cookie thing again. Now they don't bother with it much, they will sit in the chair or calmly walk to another section of the house - but not the total freaking that they used to do.

Wendy

What a great idea!!! :D

Our 8 week old lab starting whining and barking the hoover and chased it and bit it everytime i tryed to hoover , this went on for a week until he got bored and now takes no notice of it

my girl has to be literally dragged out of the way when i'm hoovering. my boy is terrified an races round like a headless chicken.lol.