Why do dogs hate brooms?
One of the most common household items is a broom. It’s used to sweep up messes, get rid of dirt and leaves, and is even helpful in keeping your home neat! But for some reason, dogs seem to be not so fond of these brooms. Why do they hate them? Learn more about why dogs hate brooms and what you can do to help your dog get accustomed to them!
They don’t understand the purpose of a broom
Dogs don’t know what a broom is for and see it as something that could harm them. They also don’t understand or trust the purpose of a broom. Therefore they’re terrified of them. Dogs are not able to comprehend the use of a broom because they’re unable to interpret human language.
Sound of a broom
Some dogs are more fearful than others, and this fear translates into an aversion to the noise made by a traditional broom. Your dog may react with aggression or defensive behaviors when it hears the sound of sweeping.
In some cases, a dog may have been startled by the sound of a broom or other cleaning device. It is best to start at a distance and slowly approach your pet with caution in those cases.
Dogs don’t understand the sound of a broom and may see it as prey. Dogs use their ears for hunting and orient themselves to sounds. Dogs may hear the sound of a broom and think that it’s chasing them, so they’ll run away or attack.
The broom smells
Dogs don’t like the smell of brooms or, more often, the odor that they pick up on the broom after it’s been used. This odor comes from the dust and dirt on them.
It also may have a scent that’s left behind from when you swept your kitchen or bathroom, which is also a smell that dogs may not like.
The broom seemingly moves on its own
Dogs don’t know the purpose of a broom, so they react with fear. A dog could see the broom moving on its own and assume it’s trying to hurt them, or they may think that someone is attacking them.
Dogs might be scared of brooms because they can think that the sweeping contraption is moving on its own, and that’s unsettling for some dogs. Many dogs will react negatively to anything that seems like it’s moving on its own.
Vacuum cleaners would be more likely to elicit an immediate visceral reaction than brooms, which is why some dogs might not react as strongly to a broom.
How to train a dog not to fear brooms
Training a dog not to fear brooms can be done in a variety of ways.
Step 1: Introduce the broom to them slowly while it is not moving
The first step in training a dog not to fear brooms is to introduce the broom to them slowly while it is not moving. Start by showing them the handle of the broom. Once they are comfortable with this, show them the bristles without sweeping anything.
Step 2: Let the broom sit out in plain view
When your dog has become comfortable with the broom by itself, leave it out in plain sight. Let your dog see it while he is eating or playing. The more he sees it, the less likely he is to fear it.
Step 3: Use the broom slowly for a very short period at first – Reward calm behavior
Start using the broom by being gentle at first. When your dog is calm, reward it with treats or play. At first, use the broom slowly to introduce it. Once the dog is comfortable with this, you can use it more quickly with no treats or play.
What if the above steps don’t work for your dog
If the above steps do not work, there are a couple of things you can try:
Teach the “quiet” command
Teach the “quiet” command to your dog. This command is used when you need them to stop what they are doing or be quiet. Doing this will also help them learn that the broom is not harmful.
If the broom still makes your dog nervous, you can reintroduce it using the quiet command. This is done by using the broom slowly with no treats or play first. You can then reward calm behavior with treats or play later on.
Teach the “stay” command
Teaching your dog the “stay” command will also help them. When they feel nervous, you can recall them and reward calm behavior. This method will help them see the broom as a friend and not a threat.
Teach the “leave” command
Another method to use is the “leave” command. If your dog gets too close to the broom or tries to bite it, you can tell them “leave” and then lead them away from the broom. This method will take longer but your dog should eventually get used to it.
Provide positive feedback
In order for your dog to learn the proper behavior, you must provide positive feedback. It’s important that you praise them when they are calm and ignore their negative behavior.
Punishment does not work
The method of punishment does not work. It only gives your dog the idea that the broom is dangerous and they should be afraid of it. If they are afraid, this will just make them more scared.
Why does my puppy bark at the broom?
Why do puppies bark at the broom? They may be excited by what they see and want you to notice it. When they see a broom, that is the first thing they think of. At this point, it is not unusual for them to bark at the broom. While it may look like they have a problem with the broom, they are probably just happy to see something new. They usually bark in excitement and want to let you know about their discovery.
Some young and playful dogs may see brooms as a game. This can lead to a dog barking at a broom when it is in the hands of the owner. If you give him attention while barking, he will quickly learn that this behavior gets him what he wants. If you ignore him, then he will stop barking.
Since they are swishy and sweep across the floor in front of your dog, it can be downright scary for some pups! It may make your dog feel like he is in danger, and the only thing to do is bark at it. Of course, there is no harm in barking, as long as it does not create a problem for you.
How do I stop my puppy from barking at the broom?
There are a couple of things you can do to help your dog stop barking at the broom. The first thing that you can do is use the commands we mentioned earlier. This will help your dog understand that you do not want him barking at the broom.
The second thing you can do is distract him with another activity. A dog will usually stop whatever he is doing when he has an alternative that captures his attention.
You can also stop sweeping if your dog is barking at it while you are. While this may seem like a good idea, it may make matters worse because you will be reinforcing his behavior by giving it attention. When you choose to ignore your dog and not give him any attention, he will be much less likely to bark at objects that frighten him.
