attacking the broom

[Harry'sMom]

I know this is not uncommon, but Harry attacks the broom or dustbrush whenever I try to sweep. With Pergo floors and dormant Zoysia grass, I need to sweep more than once a day. Any tips on how to help him make friends with the cleaning implements?

 

[Stephj]

Capone has a similar affection for the vacuum. Sometimes I can give him a bone or some other treat to distract him, but most of the time I just have to accept that he is trying to make vacuuming more fun for me.

 

[auds]

dileas tries this with me, i usually command her to 'sit and 'stay' at the opposite side of the room which i'm cleaning and she'll usually just watch as i carry on. sometime's she just can't contain herself as the excitement of chasing the mop or whatever is too much for her so i'll shut her out of the room until i'm done and when i open the door she is lying their waiting patiently for me to finish so she can walk through it. i think it's her way of saying 'i'll show you!'

 

[LewisKimball]

and shovels too...

Lewis loves to chase the broom, mop, but I think his very favorite is the snow shovel. He just loves chasing that thing around. I thought if I maybe let the snow fall out of the shovel on him it would discourage it, but now it is really a game so I always have help with shoveling!

 

[Zeus' mama]

I also have hardwood laminate flooring. Zeus used to attack the swiffer as I was sweeping, now he waits until I have a pile of dust balls and dirt. He then goes to the pile and makes this snorting noise as he exhales. Well, dust bunnies go everywhere and I have to start all over again. It actually makes me laugh, because we do this over and over and over again.

Another one of his favorites is if anyone enters my home with a baseball cap on - beware! My brother-in-law teased Zeus with his hat when Zeus was a puppy. Now it's a game. You can be sitting on the couch minding your own business and bam! he's on your stealing your hat! The funniest was when my brother-in-law fell asleep one time (with his hat on). If you know boxer traits, then you know how hilarious this was.

 

[apollosdad]

i agree with auds. you can place him in a "sit" or "down" in a sepreate part of the room and then even make a sort of training game out if it. you can place him in a "stay" and then give him a treat afterwards if he is good and waits or you to finish doing what you had to.
you could also start off by crating him, if that is an option? then as he becomes accustomed to the routine you can try the training game.

 

[Harry'sMom]

apollosdad, Yep, I crate him when I have to sweep, or sweep while he's crated and asleep. The training game is a good idea, once he gets "stay". We're working on it!

 

[apollosdad]

i hope all works out. i guess i got lucky with apollo. i had read in several boxer books to start exposing them to the "new sounds of the house" that are part of everyday life as soon as you brought them home. some noises it mentioned were: the vacuum cleaner, dishwasher, ice maker, cake mixer, etc. apollo never flinched or got startled. he was never bothered by the sounds and he actually was able to sleep right through most sounds that he determined early on weren't pertinent to him or getting a treat. the books also mentioned that the dog's reaction to a new sound is dependent upon the owner's reaction. so many times a dog might fear thunder or lightning because his owner reacted in that manner. you might want to keep that in mind and maybe that will help out as well.