How to introduce a vacuum cleaner to your dog

Teaching your dog to be comfortable around a vacuum cleaner is an important life skill.

An adult Corgi sitting on a chair while their owner vacuums

It’s important that dogs learn that the sight, sound and smell of the vacuum cleaner being used isn’t scary because it’s something they’re probably going to be experiencing a lot of.

Introduce your hoover to your dog in the right way, and ensure they will always be happy while you're cleaning your home.

To get started, you'll need some really tasty treats, your dog’s favourite toy and a long-lasting chew or food-releasing toy. Only move from step to step at your dog’s pace, to ensure they are confident and comfortable.

Introduce a vacuum cleaner

Introduce the sight

Enjoy a fun game with your dog with the vacuum cleaner in sight but switched off. Scatter some treats around it for them to enjoy finding and let them sniff and investigate it if they wish. If they prefer to avoid it that’s fine, just make sure they have a good time while …

Introduce the sound

If your dog seems comfortable with the sight of the hoover, you can try and switch it on so they can get used to the noise. Don't move it yet.

Scatter treats or continue to play with them around it, and reward them for staying near to it. The aim is for them …

If your dog seems comfortable with the sight of the hoover, you can try and switch it on so they can get used to the noise. Don't move it yet.

Scatter treats or continue to play with them around it, and reward them for staying near to it. The aim is for them to just get used to the noise and associate it with good things happening.

If your dog is already worried about noises or appears anxious or very excited by the noise, calmly turn it off. Move the vacuum cleaner into a different room altogether and turn it on in there so the noise is much quieter while you continue to play with and treat your dog as before.

This way, they can get used to the noise from a greater distance. Getting them used to the noise first means that if they do struggle with its movement you can teach them to stay in another room and enjoy a long-lasting treat by themselves. Then you can vacuum knowing they won’t be bothered by its noise.

Introduce movement

If your dog seems comfortable with the noise and sight of the vacuum cleaner, start to throw treats away from you for them to chase and find as you begin to move it around slowly and calmly.

This will help them get used to doing something very enjoyable while …

If your dog seems comfortable with the noise and sight of the vacuum cleaner, start to throw treats away from you for them to chase and find as you begin to move it around slowly and calmly.

This will help them get used to doing something very enjoyable while the vacuum cleaner is moving and associate its noise, feel and movement with good things happening to them, like treats and play.

If they seem interested in its movement and try to pounce on it or chase it then simply stop moving it and distract them away with treats and games. They should be learning that it is much more rewarding to chase their treats than the vacuum cleaner.

If they hide away, stop altogether. Repeat the previous step for longer before trying again. Gradually build up to being able to move the vacuum cleaner for longer each time.

Encourage them to settle while you are hoovering

Once your dog is comfortable ignoring the moving, noisy vacuum cleaner, teach them to engage in something really fun all by themselves while you get on with vacuuming the house.

Give them a long-lasting food-releasing toy or chew, ideally on their own bed or mat if …

Once your dog is comfortable ignoring the moving, noisy vacuum cleaner, teach them to engage in something really fun all by themselves while you get on with vacuuming the house.

Give them a long-lasting food-releasing toy or chew, ideally on their own bed or mat if they have one, and calmly begin to vacuum away from them. By this point, they should have learned that the sight, sound, feel, smell and movement of the vacuum cleaner means they’re likely to get tasty treats. They’ll be learning to settle and enjoy themselves while you’re busy vacuuming.

What to do if your dog is overly worried by vacuum cleaners

If your dog shows signs of being very worried or extremely excited by the vacuum cleaner, you might want to arrange for the vacuuming to be done while they’re out on a walk and seek professional help.

Consult your vet to make sure your dog isn’t unwell or in any pain and ask for a referral to an accredited behaviourist.