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Having a dog — or more — can be a wonderful experience. After all, a furry friend is a friend for life. However, a furry friend can also lead to a hairy home. According to a survey from vacuum developer Roborock, 71% of pet owners spend between 0.5 to 2 hours cleaning their homes daily. At the same time, 49% expressed a lack of time is a leading challenge in cleaning their homes. From removing pet hair from the floor to cleaning up the pet-made mess from the floor, cleaning is undeniably a demanding chore for most pet owners. While others have opted for robot vacuums to help ease the workload, some are uncomfortable with these machines as they may scare their dogs or make them anxious. In this article, we’ll look at four ways to keep your dog calm while running a robot vacuum:Get a quieter vacuum


Vacuum cleaners are notoriously loud, making them a nightmare for pets sensitive to loud noises, such as dogs. While some dog owners may opt for hearing protection such as earmuffs for their dogs, it may not always be the most effective option. Fortunately, newer and advanced vacuum models from brands like Roomba for pet hair come equipped with features that may help. The Roomba s9+, for example, has a Careful Drive Mode that allows it to move silently and smoothly without startling your pets. Another alternative would be using the vacuum’s mapping capabilities, training it to stay away from areas in the house where your dog spends the most time.

Desensitize Your Dog to the Vacuum’s Presence

Besides the noises that vacuums make, their sudden appearance and movements around the house may also keep your dogs on edge. A dog may think the vacuum is hostile — it moves on its own! — and become anxious or upset. One way to get around this is to let your dog be accustomed to the vacuum’s presence in the home. Instead of hiding it away when not in use, let the vacuum be visible to your dog at all times, so they may think it’s part of your house’s many pieces of furniture. Over time, your dog might get used to the robot vacuum and its movements and be less startled when activated.

Separate Your Dog From The Vacuum

That said, sometimes there’s just no easy way to acquaint your dog with a foreign, independently moving automated vacuum cleaner. If this is the case, there’s no other way than to separate your dog from the robot vacuum. You can keep the dog in a different room when the vacuum is active or schedule it to activate only when you and your dog are out for walks. Our previous posts emphasized the importance of creating a safe space for your dog at home. When separating your dog from the vacuum, remember to help them feel relaxed. Bring them treats or their favorite toy, and assure them that this room is where they can escape whenever stressed.

Counter-Condition Your Dog

Finally, you may want to try counter-conditioning your dogs to the robot vacuum’s activity. According to a post on dog reactivity from BARK Rescue CA, counter conditioning is the process of changing a dog’s negative response to their trigger — in this case, the robot vacuum — by pairing the stimulus with a loved food or toy. Giving your dogs their favorite treats before or after your robot vacuum does its automated cleaning can help them associate the two activities with each other. This may take some time, and some pets are averse to counter-conditioning, but it’s worth a try, and your dog would never turn down the treats anyway.

If you’re struggling with training your pet, our services at New York Dog Nanny will help your dog adjust to being a part of the family unit, with respect to all their needs and wants, in addition to their personal quirks. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.

Article contributed by Rachel Jeffers

photo credit: https://www.pexels.com/photo/female-owner-playing-with-dog-at-home-7788664/

Image by <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/man-using-robot-vacuum-living-room_16275438.htm”>Freepik</a>

Source: https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/cute-dog-relaxing-home_26212508.htm

Source: https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/full-shot-woman-cute-dog_16604242.htm

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