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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
