Hi
My dogs are not used to seeing me doing the hoovering....(husband does it daily, while I see to dogs/cats/dinner etc).
Today, as husband is otherwise occupied, decorating upstairs, I got the Dyson out, and the 2 youngest dogs went mad...chasing and barking at the hoover, and getting really agitated.(Dogs are 8 months and 16months.)

Husband came downstairs, and took over, and they went and laid down quietly.

It was as if they thought either I shouldn't be using "His" hoover (!!! :D) or they were scared for me, and thought I would hurt myself!

(Both damn good excuses, I reckon, for not ever doing any more housework!!!!) ;)

I am going to get the clicker out with a bag of cooked liver treats, and see if we can stop this before it gets out of hand...but has anyone else ever come across anything as strange as this??

Sami

hehe i'm going to try that one sunday morning, any thing to get out of the hoovering:)

My suggestion would be that they know hubby is the strongest and can handle 'the beast' when it's on and terrorizing him. They know you are weaker and were protecting you from 'the beast'.

Wendy

Well, whatever reason, I reckon they are pretty smart, 'cos I hate hoovering....and the old man does it SOOOOO much better!! :D)

Seriously, they seemed really scared for me, so I will try to get them over it...if husband goes away for a few days, I can't live in an un dysoned house....it would be a foot thick with dog and cat hair!
Sami

Hee Hee

Hubby said only terrorising "beast" in this house is ME!! And he loves the bit about the pups thinking he's the only one who can handle it!!

(However, they have done the same to him this afternoon, when he had the Hovermower out cutting the grass, so even the pups must think he has his limits!!) :D)

Think it must be a thing they are going thro'

Sami

I have an 11 week old pup and he goes absolutely mad when the hoover's on, he just keeps jumping over it and barking, It is getting as I can't do the hoovering, HOORAY FOR PUPPIES!!

I take it they have seen the dyson before? If not it could be fear. It might also be a game. My dog hates it and will run out the room, but my friends jack russell goes mad barking and trying to bite it. From your post i got the impression that when your husband uses it you are feeding/playing with the dogs. Perhaps they connect the sound with something exciting? Just a thought.

My dogs were fine with our old vacuum - in fact one of them used to come over so I could vacuum her! But the new one....oh no! Nasty scary thing. We'll just go to our beds and wait till you're done.....

Yes, they've both seen and heard the Dyson at least once every day since we got them.....March 2002 and November 2002..they aren't nervous of anything...it's more the oldest one, 16months, pouncing at it,barking, and the youngest one, 8 months, joining in 'cos it looks like fun.
Only thing they're not used to is ME doing the pushing!! They usually have to be moved out of the way if they're asleep on the floor when husband's doing the hoovering. They don't take any notice!
Thinking about it, they did the same to me when I got the broom out in the garden, to sweep leaves off the decking!

I don't think they think I should do ANYTHING except play with them, cuddle them and feed them!!!

I think the best way to deal with it is to continue to do absolutely NOTHING around the house, 'cos I don't want them getting upset!!!! (Wonder if they could do it when I start the mountain of ironing???) :D

Sami

I agree with you and would, for the sake of your pups, refuse to do any housework. This unselfish act will help them develop spiritually and their self-esteem will grow to new levels (you might find that some of this old clap-trap works on your husband - has to be worth a try in my book to get out of domestic jobs!!).

Think I might train my pup to get anxious when I attempt any housework so that my husband has to do it!!

I have an 11 week old Boxer that does exactly the same thing.Even if he's in the kitchen behind the stairgate he barks and howls at it going in the front room!

Have we uncovered the secret of female liberation girls??? :D

Sami

(Sitting cuddling puppies while husband runs round like a whirling dervish with the Dyson!!!)

I am in total agreement & fully support the theory that you cannot risk upsetting your pups any further by indulging in housework chores. No doubt Mr Sami will appreciate in time how he has contributed to pups mental stability by rescuing you from said hoovering horrors.

In our household, Dysons are percieved as damned attractive female dogs - there for mating with repeatedly whilst disturbed hoover operator tries to complete their task at top speed.

This new 'Lustful Dobermann' attachment is currently retailing at all electrical outlet stores for £99.99.

"We can personally guarantee it won't do a darn thing to help clean your house & hoovering will take twice as long. This offer ends soon."

ROTFLOL!!!!!!! :D :D :D
What a winner!!!

James Dyson doesn't know what he's started, does he!! :D

D'yu think you should ask him if he wants to patent the "Teaser version" for would-be stud dogs?

Thinking about it, isn't the new upright version called "The Dyson Animal"??

P'raps that's what they mean???

Sami

(Who ain't done any housework since being liberated by the puppies, and doesn't intend to!!!)

*giggle* Not fair. My boyfriend is one step ahead of me. He will just say "Aaah shame, are they getting upset while you are hoovering? Well let me just lock them away until you are done!". ;) You all need to teach me what I am doing wrong LOL

Iwish mine were a little more fearful sometimes, they push and shove each other out of the way so they can be hoovered. Mind you Dyson are getting a bit suss as to why it keeps breaking down, don't dare mention all the Newfy hairs blocking the cylclone!!!

All Ihave to contend with is Barney the Parrot screaming "help me" whenever the hoover is on!!!!!