NOTE: This page contains Amazon.com affiliate links that may compensate the owner of this site when you buy a recommended product - but they do not impact the price you pay. Learn More.
Within a few days after buying a robot vacuum cleaner, most people consider it as a part of the family. If you have a Roomba or some other robot vacuum, chances are you, or your kids, have given it a name.
Most dogs, however, are not so welcoming, at least at first.
Most pets display curiosity at the new gizmo whizzing around the room. This robot is unlike anything the dogs have seen before.
After the initial quizzical encounter, reactions vary among dogs.
Some dogs might perceive the robot to be a threat and begin barking while others find it harmless and ignore it altogether.
Others might also get scared especially if the robot vacuum is a tad too loud. They will cower or run off every time the vacuum starts up or gets too close.
After some time, most dogs learn to get along with the robot. But you can help them get used to it sooner.
How to Help Your Dog Get Used to the Robot Vacuum Cleaner
[no_toc]
So, if you want to provide a comfort level for your dogs and Roomba, must read this article. Here are some helpful tips if your dog keeps running after the vacuum, barks at it or seems scared by it.
1. Wait
This tip will work for most dogs.
Just wait, and your pet will most likely come to a sort of an agreement with the Roomba. They might still show some annoyance or slight fear every time the robot comes near, but this is not a significant issue.
Just make sure you stay close during the first two or so cleanings just in case the dog gets too scared or decides to attack the robot.
2. Restrain the Dog
If the dog reacts aggressively, try restraining it by either holding it or putting it on a leash. Stay in the same room where the vacuum is cleaning to desensitize the dog to it.
This will give the dog a chance to realize that the robot is harmless.
Try releasing the dog after a few minutes to see how it reacts. If it still acts aggressively, restrain it for longer.
3. Don’t Force It
Don’t force your dog to get used to the vacuum by yelling or holding it forcefully close to the vacuum cleaner.
It will worsen the dog’s fear or aggressiveness.
Stay calm and reassure your dog that the vacuum is harmless. If it manages to stay calm, reward with a treat.
4. If All Else Fails, Re-schedule the Vacuuming
If your dogs and Roomba are still worst enemies of each other and your dog doesn’t stop barking at the vacuum or running after it, try to change the vacuuming time.
Almost all robotic vacuum cleaners have a scheduling function. Set the time to when the dog is usually asleep or outside playing.
You can also set the vacuum to run during your daily walks.
Why Do Dogs Hate Vacuums?
As I mentioned, most dogs quickly get used to a robot vacuum.
A big part of that is that robotic vacuum cleaners appear less threatening to pets. Most importantly, they produce way less noise than a traditional stick and upright vacuums.
Traditional vacuum cleaners are too loud, producing noise levels as high as 80dB. That’s almost as high as a car engine.
No wonder most dogs hate vacuum cleaners.
Most robotic vacuum cleaners produce between 50dB-60dB of noise, which is roughly on the same level as the hum from your refrigerator.
Then there is the size.
Robotic vacuums are much smaller, presenting less of a threat to a dog. The soft rounded shape of most robot vacs also helps make them appear non-threatening.
Something else that helps is the gentle movement of a robot vacuum. Instead of sharp back and forth movements, it moves in a sweeping style that allows the Dogs and Roomba comfortable with each other.
If you have a traditional vacuum that makes your dog run away every time you clean, then it’s the time to switch to a robot vacuum.
It’s especially helpful if you have a dog or cat that is more sensitive than most to noises and strange objects.
Read our robot vacuum cleaner reviews to find the best robot vacuum for pet hair.
