vacuuming your pets (border collie, boxer, golden retriever, bite)

[casey]

Since we have so many dogs, vacuuming is a constant in our house. When our most recent foster came, he was petrified of it, barking constantly. After a couple months he now loves to be vacuumed. I use the brush attachment and he likes it better than brushing. We now have 5 dogs and 1 cat that will allow me to do it. Probably only saves about 5 minutes of brushing and 2 minutes of vacuuming but they will actually stand there and wait.

[kelly3120]

this is so funny to me.
Cody doesn't mind the vacuum but he also doesn't want it to close.

How's you get them to like it?

[casey]

I started on one dog, the one hard of hearing, and the others would watch. I then started going over their backs with it turned off and gradually turned it on. Must feel like a mini massage to them.

[jbird22]

I have two dogs (though I just brought in a straggler yesterday evening that might make 3). My hyper border collie just LOVES to be vacuumed and/or have her fur blown with the hairdryer! The other one aussie mix/mutt HATES the V.C. and the Dryer and will try to bite them if she can.

To see why they like it, take the attachments off and see what it feels like on your hair and scalp (no long hair, please ). It feels kind of funny and wierd. I now see why she likes it and will come running for her "air massage" when she hears the vacuum. I just don't understand how, with the super-sensitive hearing that dogs have , that she can stand the loud noise.

[GLS]

Originally Posted by casey

Since we have so many dogs, vacuuming is a constant in our house. When our most recent foster came, he was petrified of it, barking constantly. After a couple months he now loves to be vacuumed. I use the brush attachment and he likes it better than brushing. We now have 5 dogs and 1 cat that will allow me to do it. Probably only saves about 5 minutes of brushing and 2 minutes of vacuuming but they will actually stand there and wait.

I have one Golden retriever who clearly does not trust the vacuum. He believes any animal that inhales with such force while it's panting is not of this earth. My second Golden will not socialize with the vacuum, but he isn't prejudiced about it since he knows my first dog needs therapy.

I did try the vacuum on my neighbor's Jack Russell terrier, and before I could hit the "Off" button he was in Nevada, quickly closing on the Utah border.

I now sweep the dog hair into the center of the floor and try to convince guests it is a throw rug. When I eat dinner I am trying to get used to the concept that dog hair is a condiment.

[Racelady88]

Originally Posted by GLS

I have one Golden retriever who clearly does not trust the vacuum. He believes any animal that inhales with such force while it's panting is not of this earth. My second Golden will not socialize with the vacuum, but he isn't prejudiced about it since he knows my first dog needs therapy.

I did try the vacuum on my neighbor's Jack Russell terrier, and before I could hit the "Off" button he was in Nevada, quickly closing on the Utah border.

I now sweep the dog hair into the center of the floor and try to convince guests it is a throw rug. When I eat dinner I am trying to get used to the concept that dog hair is a condiment.

OMG! ROFLMAO!

I have always vacuumed the horses, but I am sure Shadow would go into cardiac arrest if I tried to use one on her. Here is the monster in question Electro-Groom® Horse Vacuum with BoOster® Power - Dover Saddlery

[ESFP]

I've had dogs (Golden Retriever, for one) who loved to be swept, and others (boxer) who ran. Got them to like it by turning on the sweeper and scratching the dog's fur with a separated attachment. Soon, the dogs associated the sound of the sweeper with a good rub-down and came when it was started. It's the noise they fear. Once the attachment is connected, they're used to the noise and like the feel.
The same works for gun-shy dogs. Record a gun target range. Turn on the recording and play with your dog. Then the dog will associate the sound of gunfire with play and like it.

[JustT&Me]

My pup totally runs & hides when I vacuum. However, once it's off he does sniff it out and paw at it. He's short-haired but an inside dog, so though it's not much, he does shed year-round. What I found that was helpful last spring when he was shedding more was to run the lint roller on him! At first he did not like it, but within a few times, he was turning over on his back to get it on the belly! Now, while he still does not like the vacuum, he loves the tape roller. I have wondered about the effects the tape might have on him, but he's hairy all over so it's not in contact with his skin.

I found when I roll the *pup*, I have less on the furniture, the steps, and around other places his little short hairs might collect!

[b75]

I know people who have vacuumed their Golden Retriever (specifically!) before and the dog has learned to tolerate it!