barks at moving tools

[Chris Smith]

I had posted this on doggiedoor the day of the crash and never saw if anyone replied so I will post it here.

My dog acts "oddly" around tools/objects that move - broom, rake, vacuum, weed wacker, dolly (cart that carries things - not a toy doll). Everytime I use any of these things, he circles around me and the tool, barks in a higher pitched "yappy" bark repeatedly while wagging his tail, and even nips at the tool. He starts up as soon as I move it. If the rake (or whatever) is still, he ignores it and is just fine.

I have tried showing him the tool first, had him sniff them and even put his paw against them before I use them and he has no problem with any of them. But as soon as start to roll the dolly or rake the leaves, he begins his barking routine. As soon as I stop the movement, even if the tool is still in my hand, he completely stops.

What's going on here? Is he afraid? Trying to play? Herding?

It is really funny to watch and makes me laugh but it is probably pretty annoying to the neighbors and I can't get too far with the work since he is trying to nip the tool and I don't want to hurt him.

[Alberta Hanko]

I have been through this one too. The biggest problem, aside from the noise--he was also going for the vacuum cleaner--is the danger associated with the weed wacker and the chain saw. If you can get someone to help you, they hold him by the leash and feed him the most delectable of treats (not just dried up bone treats, but turkey, cheese, liver--whatever he loves the most), for being quiet while you are using the tools. In the beginning, he may start to yap, just wait for the quiet moment (and this is where a clicker is great) click and treat. Of course, they will be a distance away from you. They can then move in closer as time goes on. I definitely would not leave him loose when operating the weed wacker. We had great luck with this--one of the easier problems to solve.

Alberta & Linus

[Hee Yung Lee]

Bogart absolutely hates the hair dryer. When I brush my hair he starts barking and jumping up on me to get the hair dryer or brush. Now what I have done is starting getting more firm with him. If he jumps up on me, I make him sit and stay. It's starting to get better. If he gets up and jumps again, I give him a firm no and make him sit again. I want him to know that there is nothing to be afraid of.

The vacuum on the other hand, is another story. He becomes deaf to me when I turn that on and completely uncontrollable. He hates that thing. I'm sure he believes that all vaccuums must die!!!! :roll: I have to put him in another room when I vacuum. I would some advice on this as well.

[Alberta Hanko]

How old is Bogart? When I first adopted Linus, he was 5 months old, and just went nuts everytime I started the vacuum--it was deafening--and annoying also. I would take it out, and put a treat on top of it (I use a cannister--but if you use an upright, you can still do it. I mean this was a great treat--some small bits of steak, warm bits of chicken breast, I did this a couple of times a day. If I needed to vacuum, I would put him in another area, so we wouldn't start with that again. I just went at it slowly, and then started the vacuum one day, and I handed him a few great treats. If he started to bark, I put the vacuum away, and no treats. He got this one pretty quick. I can't remember the time frame, but he no longer barks at all at the vacuum.

Alberta & Linus

[Summer Magic]

I know your situation. Magic spazzes at everything. I've learned if I want to get the job done I do one room at a time with the door closed and her in her crate in another room. Then move the crate from it's normal place it into a room I've already done and shut the door. But now she doesn't even raise an ear, because it's always way far away from her. It's a hassle but then she's worth it.

[Hee Yung Lee]

I will try the treat idea. I have tried to get his attention (as he's biting the vacuum) using a treat before but it didn't help. Maybe if I actually put the treat on the vacuum as you suggested that will help. Thanks!

[Alberta Hanko]

I hear ya about trying to distract them once they are biting or going off at something. With mine it is also almost impossible. See if you can get him before he goes off at the vacuum, either from a distance, or he can go up to it, and surprise--there's a treat.

Good luck.

Alberta & Linus

[Peggy Jensen]

I have a mini schnauzer that does the same thing, used to be the broom, vacumn and ironing board. Now it is the vacumn and ironing board, doesn't matter if the vacumn is on or not, as soon as I get it out he goes nuts barking and trying to bite it. I cannot at all figure the ironing board, as soon as I get it out he comes running and attacks it until it is set up, then he leaves it alone. Go figure!

[Chris Smith]

I've been practicing what I read from everyone with Nalu and the moving objects/tools. I have been using treats and have even placed treats on the vacuum which he eagerly eats right off of it.

But...no change. The second the object starts to move (even if the vacuum is not even turned on - just moving), my dog "FREAKS OUT!!" He immediately barks and barks and circles around. He won't stop until I stop moving the tool (vacuum, rake, dolly). I have to lift up the vacuum and dolly to put them away. There is not even one second when he doesn't bark for me to treat him at the quiet moment.

He doesn't seem afraid of it - it's almost like he is either trying to herd it or play with it.

Any other suggestions or should I just be more patient and keep treating? I am not getting my chores done since I think he will injure his throat from so much frantic barking...

[Alberta Hanko]

Hi again Chris - Although we did get through to Linus with treats on the vacuum, it took a while. However, whenever he went nuts I just removed him from the area, and continued on with my chores. Is your guy crate trained? If so, can you put the crate in a room away from where you will be using the tool? Also, if you can get some help, someone to hold the leash while you use the tool, vacuum, whatever. If he doesn't calm down, simply have them remove him from the area, you continue with what you must do and try again later.

Alberta & Linus