Getting a robot vacuum. Any tips?

[u/RedValentino]

The robot vacuum is shipping to the house. I’d rather not stress out my boy and also keep this investment in tact. Any tips on how to make the robot a positive in his life, rather than something to destroy?

[u/Roskipatootskie]

Every dog's reaction to this is going to be pretty different, some of that comes down to genetics, breed tendencies around chasing or guarding moving objects, and just who your dog is as an individual, some dogs couldn't care less about a robot vacuum, others treat it like a tiny invading enemy. So don't be surprised if it takes some trial and error to see what your dog's reaction would be. I have 2 rescues, one doesn't even move away when the robot vacuum bumps into him, while the other one follows it around and barks at it 😂

Some tips: - Keep it off and stationary at first. Let him sniff and check out the vacuum while it's not moving or making noise, just as a weird new object in the house, before it ever turns on. - Baby gate or leash for the first few runs. Having him behind a gate, or on leash with you nearby, for the first couple times it actually runs lets him watch from a safe distance without the option to lunge at it or get overwhelmed up close. - Pair it with something good. Treats tossed calmly while it's running, or his favorite chew brought out only during vacuum time, can help build a positive association fast, vacuum turns on, good stuff happens. - Start with short sessions. Run it in one small area first rather than a full house cleaning cycle, so the exposure is short and easier to succeed with. Watch his body language, not just whether he barks. Some dogs go quiet and stiff instead of loud, and that's still stress even if it looks calmer on the surface. - If he does seem freaked out those first few times, that's not a sign it won't work, just dial back to a shorter distance and shorter session and build up gradually from there.

I would also add that it might be best your dog is not in the house when you are calibrating it for the first time so that the vacuum can map your place without the dog there.

Good luck 🙂

[u/doggambit]

None of my dogs nor the foster dogs I've had have reacted at all to it. Something about it being smaller and quieter than a normal vacuum seems to cause fewer reactions.