Sunday, September 19, 2010

How we dealt with the hoover

Many sheltie owners will know and have experienced your sheltie going crazy when they don't like any particular noise or movement. 
Well, here we are trying to tell Eva that the hoover is actually a very boring thing, and nothing to be interested in or worried about. I used a lot of treats here!!!


First Day : -
Here is our step by step training:
1) Walk around the hoover (when it is off) with a leash and treats telling Eva that there is nothing to worry about.

2) Move the hoover (when it is still off) around and get her to down stay and leave it. 

3) Now switch the hoover on. She got really excited at first, but calmed down when I got her to follow me around for treats while she ignored the hoover.

4) With the hoover on, move it! That is still the hardest part and still requires a lot of training, work and patience. When I move the hoover, she will go to it, and try to bite it, but when I call her, she comes for her treat. At the end of first day session, you could see that she got a bit bored with the game at the end and ignored the hoover a bit. 

For the first day practice, I think I shouldn't have kept on calling her especially when she didn't walk towards the hoover. I think I was too worried so I kept on calling her thinking that I could distract her from approaching the hoover.

Second Day :-
I can see a slight changes in Eva's reactions towards the hoover. She still jumped when the hoover was switched on but calmed down soon.

Third Day : -
We're getting there, aren't we!!!

Fourth Day : -
I'm quite happy with today's work. Eva didn't jump or bark at the hoover when it was switched on, although she was still a bit playful, I think she's doing a good job : )

So far I still can't make Eva sit still and watch or do nothing when I'm using the hoover. I'd tried to use 'leave it' and 'stay' command but they didn't last!

Any ideas???






17 comments:

Dexter said...

Momma says I just lay down in the most inconvenient spot and refuse to move when that hoover thing comes out. I say it is difficult to know where to go when all that activity is happening.

Slobbers,
Mango

Chris and Ricky said...

Oh my gosh! That's great! Eva is doing so well with your vacuum training! Guess it was the week to train with vacuums! I like how you are getting Eva is ignore the vacuum - she's doing really well - I saw her just totally walk away from it near the end of the video. In a few more days she may leave it alone altogether! Job well done!

You must have the cleanest house on the planet by now - LOL!

Sara said...

Isn't it funny we posted the same thing today!

I think Eva is doing great. Keep doing what you're doing. It really takes time, as this is a HARD thing for some of them to leave alone.

Lola and also Franklin, too said...

We don't care for it either. Daddy won't vacuum when we're in the house because he says we "go crazy". Blog Mom, on the other paw, just goes ahead with it and figures that we're not stupid and we'll decide there's no danger eventually or else we're just enjoying the drama. She may be right. What's most fun is after the vacuuming is done, sitting on whatever rug she's trying to straighten. It's our little way of getting even.

lotsa licks, Lola

Cat and DOG Chat With Caren said...

wow your training is working like a charm!

This is a most helpful video and I thank you for it!

We have a huge problem with our Sheltie, Dakota and the vacuum. We do "treat" him now when we use it but I haven't worked with him to the extent that you are with Eva. I sure need to.

A job well done!

George The Lad said...

Well done, I'm sure in a couple of weeks she won't even know you are using it.
Jan x

Sagira said...

Way to go Eva. Looks like you're doing a great job with your training.

houndstooth said...

My mom's Sheltie goes bat crazy over the vaccuum. I'm not sure how long it would take to redirect her from it with training. Good luck to you and good job for working so hard to get through it!

Pico the Sheltie said...

Eva is doing great! Keep it on I believe she will get a good result at the end. Gambateh!!!

Dawn said...

WOW. This might have to be out training challenge for the coming week. Katie barks at me when I just OPEN the DOOR to the closet where the vacuum is stored. Much less get it out and turn it on!

I'm afraid she'll break a tooth biting at the vacuum so I usually put her outside.

I'll have to try this!

Good job with Eva!!

Natasha said...

Wall-e used to be scared of the vacuum, but now he tries to bite it and play with it, lol. I love this video! You're doing a great job with Eva.

Diana said...

Great job! You guys are doing great! Diana

Remington said...

GREAT job! Eva you learn so quickly and your mommy does such a good job in training. You are one very lucky and LOVED little girl!

Yas said...

Way to go Eva! Me i just lay there..sometimes if it gets too noisy i'll just head to the other room..! :-)

cheers,
Maxx

MadameMoiselle said...

Nice to finally meet you Priscilla !

Hehehe.. Towards the end, Eva pretty much now when to get the treats already !!

Zelle pretty much just ignore the vacuum cleaner after a few rounds of chasing it..

Love
Serene

Peggy Frezon said...

WAy to go! Looks like Eva is pretty calm around the vacuum now. good job! Kelly sometimes gets excited and barks when I first start vacuuming, but if I just ignore her and keep working, she stops and walks away.

Sierra Rose said...

Fantastic! Eva, you are getting so many treats when you hang out near the hoover! Mom just puts me on leash somewhere else when she vacuums, or run away anyway....scared of those things :)

Hugs and snaggle-tooth kisses,
Sierra Rose

 
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