Folks,

I would appreciate the benefit of your experience. I've got a curious situation on my hands. My 16-mo. old female is dreadfully afraid of the vacuum cleaner. Granted, as a woman, I too dread housework but this is ridiculous!

The curious thing is that it's not just loud noises that make her afraid. She is in training for SchH and did not flinch when the gun was fired. Also, when my husband mows the lawn she is outside running around, and that lawnmower makes far more racket than my humble vacuum cleaner. She shows no apprehension whatsover about the mower.

Even when I shut off the vacuum cleaner she still acts afraid of it. I've tried to break her of this habit. I've tried positive reinforcement... I put bits of her favorite treat on the vacuum cleaner while it's shut off, and she won't come near it. I've tried negative reinforcement... I tell her to "come" while standing next to the vacuum cleaner and when she slinks away into the next room I correct her. To no avail.

So why does it matter? Should I concern myself at all? In SchH all she has to bear is the pistol, so if she shows no fear at that, should I just ignore the vacuum cleaner bit?

Nevertheless, it bothers me because I recognize this phobia as a symptom of her less-than desireable nerves. She is not rock solid. But's a *phobia* and therefore irrational. Why should the vacuum cause her to shuffle to the next room while the lawnmower inspires no fear?

Should I ignore the phobia or try and correct it?

Yvette

Yvette,
I've not seen many dogs who didn't either take cover or try to kill the vacuum. If she's not showing any problems w/other noises, I'm not sure I'd put alot of energy into trying to fix this. It wouldn't surprise me to find out someday that there is some weird pitch to the vacuum sound that we don't hear but they don't like. Sorta like the UPS truck.

Yvette,

Joy is absolutely right. Out of my three dogs two attack, which is more of a nuissance (my Kirby is covered with tooth marks), and the third one (SchH III with most solid nerves) quietly leaves the room as soon as she sees me heading for the damn thing. None of them are bothered with any other noise. So why worry?

My Sheltie was the strongest nerved dog I ever owned, he used to nail that vacuum everytime, we were always buying new ones b/c the punctures. My GSDs always have avoided the beast.
When we bought this place, the problem was solved: ripped out all the yucky carpet and replaced it w/tile. No more vacuum <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

My dog used to be afraid of the vacuum too. How I handled it was basically I just ignored him while vacuuming. Just acted normal. Didn't focus any attention on the dog whatsoever, unless he barked or lunged at it, then I would tell him no or leave it like I normally do for anything else that I don't want him to do. Now, he simply watches with mild interest, even allowing the vacuum to come quite close to him with no reaction, even if it touches him. As a matter of fact, I have to say "move" to get him to get up and go somewhere else so that I can vacuum the carpet under him.

This dog has no thunder or firework phobia, and has even sat with me while watching my family light fireworks 10 feet away, with no sign of distress whatsoever. He has happily ridden in a Zodiac (motorized rubber raft) and will pretty much go anywhere or do anything I ask of him (can't wait to take him for his first helicopter ride!). Why he had an issue with the vacuum, I couldn't tell you, but I think the key to getting him over it was my not making a big deal out of it.

Might not work for everyone, but it worked for me. You might try it for a few weeks and see what happens?

My philosophy is why bother with things not worth bothering with. If I had this issue I would just crate my dog in another room. Simple but effective.

I do exactly what Vince does. Both my dogs are scared to death of the vacuum cleaner. I just ignore this stupid behavior and I will crate them when the vacuum is being used. My Lab has questionable nerves but my Golden has solid nerves. I would't waste much time worrying about this as long as the dog has solid nerves otherwise.

Well folks, thanks for the response.

The reason this caught my attention is because she does *not* have rock solid nerves. I interpret her behavior as a symptom of my bitch's lack of confidence.

I've been working for months now to get her confidence up so that she can perform the same on the SchH field as she does at home. That's the root cause of my concern. At home in her own back yard she nails a tug or even a sleeve cover, but away from home her drives wilt. All her drives are repressed because she doesn't feel confident. Yes, it's a nerve issue. I'm painfully aware of that. When I saw all those SchH titles in her lineage I had hoped for better, but I've got what I got.

So the vacuum cleaner is just a manifestation of her lack of confidence in her temperment. She has always been submissive towards other dogs and people. We have gotten her to bite full and hard on a tug on the SchH field, but it's taken a loooooong time to get there, and not yet with consistency.

Do any of y'all have any suggestions on how to build confidence? Forget the vacuum cleaner. It's SchH that I care about. As a woman I assume it's a genetic trait to hate housework, but I want to bring her SchH game to a higher level. Think outside the box. For example, she did real good on the Agility field. Would negotiating those obstacles on the Agility field boost her confidence, or at least her attentiveness to me?

Yvette

If this dog's weak nerves are a result of her genetics then all you can do is try to control it. It will never totally go away. Just act confident when the dog is nervous and don't try to re-assure her by praising her. She will think you are praising her for being nervous. Strong obedience from a strong leader is the best thing for her. She will take her comfort in this. How this relates to sport is not my strength. Some of the more experienced SchH people can give you advice regarding that end of your question. Good luck to you.

Hi Yvette:

Basically it comes down to two choices. One is to except that the best you can hope for is to title your dog on his training field with a helper that he is very comfortable with and sees as a friend who likes to play keep away. Or you can buy a Leerburg pup. Good luck either way!