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Pony-mad   KrazyKelli   Dragongirl6

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#1760499 Pony-mad View Profile	Help!!! My 11 month old Labrador has suddenly developed a fear of the hoover/vacum cleaner but he has been fine with it before. Is there anything I can do to get him over this? Thankz Megz x
06/14/08  04:13am
#1760611 KrazyKelli View Profile	Message To: Pony-mad   In reference to Message Id: 1760499  Help!!! It depends on the fear, really. If the dog is running towards it or barking at it, train the dog to sit and stay in an opposing room in your view. The same could be said for a dog that runs and hides from it, however you should take a gentler approach to the matter by also laying treats on the vacuum when it’s off as well as leaving the vacuum in the room so the dog can come to understand that it wont hurt him. The main goal here is to calm the dog down into a natural state before you start the vacuum, while the vacuum is going on, and after it’s over and you’re putting it away. This is best done if you have the dog in another room like, say, the kitchen. The dog should be in a sitting or laying position and in your view, but also not at all interested in what you’re doing. This is easier if the dog has a bed or a specific spot to sit in while you work, so you can simply direct him with a command to go to it. If the dog gets up or shows signs of being anxious, stop what you’re doing (leave the vacuum on if you’re using it), and direct the dog to sit back down. Once the dog is calm, continue. Don’t give praise or excite the dog. Ie, don’t pet the dog or give it attention (instead giving it direction as I described in the last paragraph) while it’s in the fearful state. Only when the dog is calm, the chore is complete, and the vacuum clear is away can you. The best thing to do right now, however, is to direct the dog to sit in the one area, then concentrate on your chore. This should be your over all goal. Once the dog is in a calm state, you shouldn’t have to watch it or worry about it. Another thing to be aware of is your own emotional state. If you’re exited, the dog will be. If you fear the dog will be afraid, the dog will be. How you act will reflect how your dog acts. So while doing the chore and ordering the dog, be calm and collected. When you give commands, your voice should be strong and to the point. Remember that you are directing the dog, not asking it if it would like to do your direction. Never use the dog’s name in the directions, instead you should prefer a command word or an "Eh!" or similar sound effect. Honestly, you shouldn’t even have to do that when you get right down to it; if you are in command of the situation and are direct, you can guide the dog with hand motions and clicking your fingers. Ie, if you click and point to the bed or spot, the dog will go there. Lastly, if the dog doesn’t listen to you on the first command, walk over to it, take it by the collar, and lead it directly to the spot and position you want. Repeated use of the one command or word will not get you what you want.
06/14/08  10:58am
#1762394 Dragongirl6 View Profile	Message To: KrazyKelli   In reference to Message Id: 1760611  Help!!! I would say ask your dog to lie down near where you are going to vacuum, then toss treats to the dog as the vacuum is on. You just need to make the vacuum the greatest thing in the world : )
06/16/08  02:16am

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