Lawn Mower, Vacuum Cleaner Aggression?

[Marley'z Mum]

Hi all

Yet another question from me, my 11 week old bitza is showing some signs of being scared of vacuum cleaner, broom, lawn mower, whipper snipper......lets start with the broom which is probably the mildest issue he has.... my son sweeps our floors... when he gets the broom out the cupboard my bitza feels the need to attack the broom, he isnt barking he just is very snappy with it and if he gets hold he tends not to let go.... he does the same with the vaccuum cleaner, but there is a bit of barking involved, yesterday OH had the whipper snipper out and while it wasnt running he sniffed at it to check what it was, when it was running I had to grab him quick an put him inside or he would have been hurt, he was barking at it snapping at it, I am pretty sure this is aggression towards the stuff coz he is so frantic bout the snapping, and u cant really get his attention.... when he was inside he still barked and scratched at the door to get at it, so I distracted him by doing some training with him with food reward, I am yet to try this while the vaccuum cleaner is goin inside, he is very food motivated, but like I said when he is determined to get at it its hard to get his attention..... any other idea's would be really apprecited as I dont want this to turn into something worse!

Thanks

[aussielover]

I think the broom is my puppy's favourite toy!

She will chase it and then not let go if she actually gets it. are you sure he is not just playing, some dogs are quite snappy when they play.

If you don't like this behaviour, simply crate him or put him in another room or outside whilst you are sweeping, vaccuming etc. I think it is asking a bit much much of a young pup NOT to chase and react to these things. You could try tying him up also and reward moments when he is sitting quietly.

OT but I vaccum cleaned Mindy yesterday! She loved it! Maybe it felt like a massage or something? It might be a good way in future to get rid of the hair

[persephone]

I would simply suggest, at this stage , put pup away in his room/crate BEFORE you start the whippersnipper etc. Give him a bone/treat- then ignore him.

No way will I whippersnip with even our adult, settled dogs outside It is very dangerous ! Vacuuming here means inside dogs/cats are in a seperate area of the house before I vacuum. I just can't be bothered watching/worrying .

[Red Fox]

It's not aggression, he's just playing

Barking, nipping, tugging and chasing are all pretty normal puppy play behaviours.

As has already been said, crate him or put him in another room when you are sweeping or vacuuming, it makes the job much easier! As far as things like the whipper snipper, keep him inside and well away. Way too dangerous for any dog.

[K9Nev]

It's not aggression, he's just playing

Barking, nipping, tugging and chasing are all pretty normal puppy play behaviours.

As has already been said, crate him or put him in another room when you are sweeping or vacuuming, it makes the job much easier! As far as things like the whipper snipper, keep him inside and well away. Way too dangerous for any dog.

I agree SecretKei, at 11 weeks old a fear reaction would be to run away and aggression at that age is also doubtful but more prey drive reaction in play. It's actually a trait that many working dog people would be thrilled to see that reaction in such a young pup Personally, I would crate him or keep him away from those activities for the time being.

Cheers

Nev

[Marley'z Mum]

thanks all

I really thought it was aggression, coz of the barkin an the way he stands when he does it, he stands an barks leaning like he is ready run.....

I would keep him inside when the whipper snipper an lawn mower r on i understand how dangerous they can be, but he still stands at the door where he can see them an barks an carrys on, is that still play?..... Its been a long time since i have had a puppy bout 16yrs, so hopefully my questions arent to silly

[K9Nev]

thanks all

I really thought it was aggression, coz of the barkin an the way he stands when he does it, he stands an barks leaning like he is ready run.....

I would keep him inside when the whipper snipper an lawn mower r on i understand how dangerous they can be, but he still stands at the door where he can see them an barks an carrys on, is that still play?..... Its been a long time since i have had a puppy bout 16yrs, so hopefully my questions arent to silly

He sounds like a nice pup with good nerve willing to investigate the unknown. The movement is what encourages him to chase and bite which is typical prey drive reaction, but the behaviour can become a nuisence if not channelled in the right direction. The barking is basically excitement to chase and play, nothing to worry about, but I would separate him from those activities so that he doesn't see them to prevent development of the behaviour which can become more intense if allowed to continue. Playing ball is a good alternative to satisfy a pup's desire to chase and capture

Cheers

Nev

[W Sibs]

Emmy loves the broom... she sees it and does her happy spins, and then she goes on attack mode when I start sweeping. Very cute. But I don't mind it and I find it amusing... but if things get to much, i can easily distract her with something else (usually a treat).

[Genabee]

Genevieve use to bark at the vacuum cleaner, then run to her house (crate). Now, she chases it around and I push her ball with the head as I am vacuuming. She runs after the ball and brings it back to me.... It is a big game for her!

I actually left the vacuum cleaner lying on the floor for a couple of days (not being used and turned off, obviously), and she would have a good sniff and climb under it and over it and bark at it and pounce on it..... after that she was fine. She gets that it is here to stay. She isn't so keen on the broom though, I think mainly because she knocked it over once and it gave her a bit of a fright.

She still isn't so keen on the washing machine when it is in its final spin.... I tried to do the same thing when it was off, I left it open for her to check out.... I caught her trying to jump into it: half in half out! I wish I had been able to get a picture of it, as it was definitely a kodak moment!

[poodlefan]

Sounds like prey drive to me.

The only safe place for a dog when the whipper snipper or lawn mower is going is locked up somewhere else.

I have tooth marks in my vacuum cleaner but I don't mind.