Question on Vacuums, Sweeping, Raking, etc.

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PamC

Forums Regular
I am at a loss at how to keep Zoe from going crazy everytime I take out the vacuum or shovel the snow. She barks nonstop (and she is not a big barker); attacks the object; just goes crazy. Any suggestions on how to deter this behavior? I've tried to hold her collar with one hand, and vacuum with the other, but just doesn't work. She is normally very mellow.... Thank you!!
 
oh yeah, the vacuum, the shovel, anything that moves they need to herd. I'm working on the same thing right now and if Abby did not have an injury I would let her go nuts and burn off some energy. My late sheltie I just let her go crazy and ignored it. If you want her to stop I think you will have to start saying NO, or LEAVE IT, or its mine, and sooner or later she will let up but its going to take time. For me the "its mine" started to work at a young age as every time I would put my socks on she would try to grab them and I kept saying its mine and now she is starting to learn that whats mine is mine.
Its hard for me to leave Abby in her crate to shovel snow knowing how much they love to help out :lol: but I have to do what I have to do.
 
I never thought about it being a herding thing. I'll keep working on the leave its - and new to me -its mine. Thank you!
 
If you make any progress let me know. Bailey goes crazy with the snow shovel.

She not as bad with the vacuum and the broom. I keep treats on me when I sweep the floor. When she is quiet, I treat her. She is starting to catch on that when she doesn't bark at the broom, she gets a treat.
 
I have the same issue, so I'll be looking at this thread closely. I will try the "It's mine" thing.... maybe that will work. We have just been waiting to sweep or vacuum till both of us are home, and then someone stays with Buffy while the other sweeps. But I would like her to get used to the swiffer and the vacuum so we don't have to go all secret agent every time we clean the house.

You know what the really weird thing is? When my mom's cleaning lady sweeps or vacuums she is absolutely fine. But when we do it she goes nuts. I don't get it!
 
Our procedure is I take Max to the dog park while Cindy vacuums. :lol: We can't vacuum, sweep or anything else that makes noise while Max is around. :rolleyes2: Fred on the other hand could care less.
 
Our big thing here is the wheelbarrow.Trapp gets right in front of it,while Brian is bringing in wood,and barks his fool head off.

I do think it is a herding thing.There is nothing that will stop him from chasing it as Brian wheels it across the yard.

I don't have the problems with vacumns,even just yesterday Brian shampooed the carpet in the living room,both Trapp & Jasper were on the sunporch,looking in watching Brian,and not a peep out of them.

Trapp has never chased the vacumn,don't know why,and I know I was'nt going to try to figure out why...I was just grateful!:biggrin2:
 
Abby is worse with it then Clancy..but he isn't above joining in!! LOL
I just make them leave the room...OUT..NOW with a mean look..gets them outta my way..hehehe

Now when we get the ironing board out they bark...just when we are carrrying it..when its set up..they don't care any more..and when we put it away..they don't care..just when we get it out...Good thing we don't iron much..LOL

Julie
 
Hi there, when Amber used to bark and lunge at the vacuum, I first had her behind a gate and then had someone distract her with cheerios/a treat. After doing that several times, she would only bark intermittently and that's when I used the "ah-ah" or "leave it" command to get them to stop then praise or give a treat. If they don't stop barking at a command, just wait until you can "catch" their response to stop barking on their own and then praise or treat. She used to bark at the rake (not the broom, I don't know why) as well, however, I first worked with the vacuum because it was indoors and she was able to be behind a gate which is a little more controlled. After we got the vacuum down, she was able to quickly pick up that I don't want her barking at the rake either by just saying "ah-ah" or stepping into her to back her up. I hope that helps.
 
Can't help you. Mine are all certifiably insane when it comes to vacuums, rakes, mops, shovels.... :rolleyes2: :rolleyes2:
 
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