Dogs are a man’s (and woman’s) best friend. They become a part of the family, and so of course they are allowed in the house!

But as much as we love them, the hair shedding can really get out of control. While it’s become much easier to maintain our floors with pet hair specific vacuums, you’re still probably wishing there wasn’t always so much hair to pick up each week.

Luckily, there’s a preventative solution! Using a vacuum that comes with a grooming attachment specifically for dogs, you can give them a brush that picks up loose hair and dirt in the fur, meaning they’ll shed much less in the days following.

Don’t forget to make sure the attachment you’re using is specifically for grooming dogs and is suitable for your dog’s fur!

Sounds pretty neat, right? If you’re itching to try out your grooming attachment but not sure the best way to go about it, we’ll take you through the process of getting your pooch used to the cleaning tool.



TAKE THE INTRODUCTION SLOWLY

How your dog reacts to the grooming tool will depend on so many factors:

 

  • Whether you have a younger or older pup
  • Whether they are used to noise or quite scared
  • If they don’t mind the vacuum cleaner
  • If they already dislike being brushed.

 

No matter what the starting point is, you want to take it nice and slow. You have to remember they have no clue what you’re trying to do with that loud scary thing. It may take them a number of sessions before they feel comfortable with the brush.

Puppies are best for introducing new things to, because it’s easier to desensitise them toward things that might scare them (like loud noises). If your puppy is between 8-20 weeks old, use the vacuum cleaner around them as much as possible so they never fear it when they’re older.



HAVE YOUR TREATS READY

Like when teaching anything, you’ll want some tasty treats handy to positively reinforce their interaction with the grooming tool. But not just any old kibble will do. Pick a treat you know they really respond well to, such as yoghurt drops or cooked chicken.



START UNPLUGGED

Introduce the brush tool unattached to the vacuum and brush your pooch with it slowly and calmly, allowing them to get used to the feeling of it. If they aren’t too troubled by it, try attaching it to the vacuum but still keep it turned off. Remember to reinforce any positive reactions with lots of praise!

Brush out any knots in your dog’s fur before using the grooming attachment on them.



START THE PROCESS

If your dog seems comfortable, try turning on the vacuum with the brush attached and using a constant supply of treats to keep them calm. Hold them securely with one hand and groom with the other.

Top tip: Two sets of hands are better than one! See if you can rope someone into helping you hold and feed treats to your pooch while you brush.



DON’T ADD UNNECESSARY STRESS

Lastly, stick to brushing your pup with the attachment on their backs and sides; stay far away from using it on sensitive areas such as their chest or stomach.

It may take a lot of patience and persistence – for both you and your dog – but once you see the difference it makes to your floors and couches you’ll be so glad you put in the time and effort.

If you’re looking for a pet hair specific vacuum cleaner, check out Godfreys' range online or shop in a store near you today.