I have a theory that long before our planet existed there began a great battle for control of the universe. The struggle continues to this day and I have a feeling that many of your own homes have been battlegrounds. Of course, I am speaking of the war between dogs and vacuum cleaners.
“We meet again, vacuum…”
Eko has done just about everything aside from jump out of an airplane (we’re working on it…) and his nerves are unflappable. Speedboat motors, train engines and subway screeches don’t bother him in the least. However, as soon as I take out the vacuum, Eko bolts up and prepares himself for battle. There are plenty of places he could go in the apartment to avoid the vacuum entirely, yet Eko feels compelled to attack the vacuum. Every. Single. Time.
Eko ready to launch himself at the vacuum
The aftermath of the above photo involves a large crash and the sound of Eko sprinting away to prepare for another surprise attack. This is usually why I don’t vacuum unless I’m sure that my downstairs neighbors are gone.
Like I said, Eko isn’t usually phased by anything, so I can only assume that dogs and vacuums are mortal enemies. Anyone out there have any luck at teaching their pup to make a truce with the vacuum?
If I want my dogs to knock off a scuffling match or something where they are ignoring me, I turn on the vacumn and they both run to their respective safe zones. The Mediator!!
If I want my dogs to knock off a scuffling match or something where they are ignoring me, I turn on the vacumn and they both run to their respective safe zones. The Mediator!!
If I want my dogs to knock off a scuffling match or something where they are ignoring me, I turn on the vacumn and they both run to their respective safe zones. The Mediator!!
I love it – the vacuum silences all arguments!
I’m suspicious of the vacuum, but it one time it gave me treats, so I try to be nicer to it now in case it wants to give me some more!
The vacuum is certainly a fickle enemy – I think I’m going to have to try to give Eko some treats any time it’s on. Hopefully I can negotiate a cease fire.
Sorry Will, Buddy shed sooooo bad, his pillow was always a big hairy mess and I had to vacuum it EVERYDAY. He wouldn’t even move, I only used ‘one’ dedicated hand brush so it wasn’t full on noisy…I would even do him when the pillow was done. Granted, he was a real loafer..lazy bones (think Beverly Hillbillies dog and that’s about it). Would it be possible to borrow a friends vacuum one day?…maybe it’s just the pitch of your paticular brand?
Eko’s been around 5-6 different vacuums and hated them all equally, but Buddy gives me hope! It would be nice to be able to clean the apartment and Eko in one shot.
That’s so funny! Arri hates garbage bags and runs when we take out the trash and put in a new bag. Enjoyed reading your post today!
How dogs choose their inanimate enemies is one of life’s great mysteries!
LOL! My older girls totally ignore the vacuum, in fact I have to yell at them to MOOOVE when I get close to them because they will just continue to lay there oblivious that I want to vacuum where they are. Now the younger ones get completely clear of the vacuum by vacating to another room
ps I left an award for you and Eko here http://mistyshoreschesapeakes.wordpress.com/2012/09/09/we-have-some-awards/
I can only hope that Eko will one day grow up and have the wisdom of your girls!
I had a 30lb beagle who would sneak attach the vacuum while I was using it…she would jump out of nowhere and grap the bumper and try to destroy it, actually she did and we replaced it on several occasions!!! Maybe the noise hurts their ears.
Eko and Wills’ next adventure….jumping out of a plane? Have you seen the You Tube video of the German Shepards in the Army jumping out of planes? Truely amazing.
We’re working on it! I was inspired when we visited the AKC Museum of the Dog and saw photos/videos of dogs strapped to the chest of paratroopers. Dogs never cease to amaze.
Not us, that’s for sure! Daisy started out unphased by the vacuum, but somewhere along the line she must have read in the Doggy Handbook of Behavior that dogs and vacuums shouldn’t be friends, and she does exactly what Eko does. But there may be hope – I saw a video on YouTube of a dog who enjoys being vacuumed! His owners don’t have too much shedding to worry about since they can vacuum him anytime. Go figure!
Aha! So there is hope for us all. I’ll have to add that one to the bucket list – it would definitely be nice to clean the house and Eko in one shot.
Toady loathes the vacuum. Especially the attachment that I use to get in and under things. He won’t attack it, but he will bark. I have a feeling that if he starts attacking it, we will have to buy a new vacuum at least once a week. I mean, 120lb dog versus vacuum? I think we all know who would win.
Yeah, I’m 100% with you. I do my best to keep the vacuum away from Eko because I know what happens when Eko gets a hold of anything not made of titanium/
Bailey hasn’t attacked it yet, but he keeps a close eye on it. If it’s not ON, he pretty much ignores it. When I get started vacuuming, he’s has to be right at it, with his nose almost in danger of getting run down by it.
That’s what I don’t get! Eko too will stand in harms way just to get a chance to growl at the vacuum.
If we had the answer to this dilemma we all would be billionaires!!!!! I try “treating” Dakota for the split seconds he is quiet when the vacuum is on…….believe it or not it works……sometimes lol
Yes!!!! My black lab Maddie does that! When i leave it in a spot where she may walk by it, she growls and walks way around it! How funny our furry friends are!!!
Sounds just like Eko! I guess there is something about those vacuums that dogs will never trust.