Ever wonder why dogs are scared of brooms or why dogs hate brooms? It’s a question that puzzles many pet owners when their furry friends suddenly turn tail or get aggressive at the sight of a broom.

In this article, we’re going to cover the reasons behind these fearful or hostile reactions towards brooms and offer strategies on how to help your dog feel more comfortable around them. From barking at brooms to attacking them, we’ll guide you through desensitizing your dog or puppy to this common household item. Keep reading!

Why Are Dogs Scared of Brooms?

Dogs are scared of brooms due to a combination of unfamiliarity, negative past experiences, or the broom’s sudden movements and noise. This fear can stem from a natural instinct to be cautious around unknown objects, especially those that move unpredictably and invade their personal space.

Why Are Dogs Afraid of Brooms?

Dogs are afraid of brooms because of their instinctual response to unfamiliar or threatening objects. The size and motion of a broom can be perceived as a threat, triggering a fear or defensive reaction.

Additionally, if a dog has had a negative experience with a broom or similar object in the past, such as being hit or scared, this can lead to an ongoing fear.

Why Do Dogs Bark at Brooms?

Dogs bark at brooms as a way to communicate their discomfort or to try and scare off what they perceive as a potential threat. Barking can also be a sign of excitement or playfulness, but when it comes to brooms, it’s more often a response to fear or confusion.

The broom’s unpredictable movement can trigger a dog’s defensive instincts, leading them to bark in an attempt to protect themselves and their territory.

Dog Scared of Broom: How to Help

To help a dog scared of brooms, you can use positive reinforcement and gradual desensitization:

• Begin by placing the broom at a distance where your dog notices it but doesn’t react fearfully.
• Reward calm behavior with treats and praise to create a positive association.
• Gradually decrease the distance between your dog and the broom over multiple sessions, continuing to reward calmness.
• Introduce movement slowly, starting with small, predictable motions and building up to normal sweeping actions.
• Ensure the training sessions are short and positive, stopping before your dog shows signs of stress.

By gradually introducing the broom in a controlled and positive manner, you can help your dog overcome their fear, teaching them that the broom is not a threat. It’s important to remember, however, that the underlying behavioral issues (anxiety, fear, territoriality, etc.) that were causing all of this to begin with will still be present.

And until you address those, any positive changes you see will only be temporary.

“Well, how do I make these changes last?”

By getting your dog to truly choose to follow your direction, that’s how. I tried many times to write out how you can do that before deciding it made more sense to just link you to the free video series that explains it better than I’d ever be able to.

The series is by a man named Dan who is one of the world’s leading dog obedience trainers. In it, he teaches you how to put an end to things like your dog barking at the broom and all other misbehavior using his fast and easy-to-follow methods.

In the first video, Dan will reveal to you why the two most common methods of dog training only doom you to failure. You can watch the video now by clicking here. Follow the proven system he’ll show you in his series and you’ll never have to spend another second worrying about your dog attacking the broom ever again!

Why Do Dogs Hate Brooms?

Dogs hate brooms due to their instinctual reaction to unfamiliar and sudden movements, which can be perceived as a threat. This dislike is often rooted in the broom’s size, motion, and the noise it makes, all of which can be unsettling or even frightening to a dog. Additionally, if a dog has had a negative experience with a broom in the past, this can further intensify their aversion to it.

Why Does My Dog Attack the Broom?

Your dog attacks the broom because of a natural predatory or defensive instinct triggered by the broom’s movement. To your dog, the broom might resemble a large, strange animal invading their space. This reaction can also be a form of play for some dogs, as they perceive the moving broom as a toy or something to chase and capture like they might with squirrels or birds.

Learn how to desensitize your dog to the broom (and you sweeping with it) by going back to the first section now.

How to Keep Puppy From Attacking Broom

Keeping a puppy from attacking the broom involves teaching them that the broom is not a toy or threat. Start by introducing the broom while it’s stationary, allowing your puppy to inspect it in a controlled environment. Reward calm or indifferent behavior with treats and praise.

During sweeping actions, distract your puppy with a toy or treat to associate the broom’s movement with positive experiences, gradually teaching them to ignore the broom.

How to Desensitize Dog to Broom

Desensitizing your dog to the broom requires patience and positive reinforcement:

• Introduce the broom in a non-threatening manner, placing it on the ground where your dog can see it but not immediately react to it.
• Reward your dog for calm behavior around the broom with treats and positive attention.
• Slowly increase your dog’s exposure to the broom, moving it slightly without making sweeping motions, and continue rewarding their calmness.
• Gradually progress to making small, gentle sweeping motions, always watching your dog’s reaction and stopping if they become overly agitated.
• Over time, with consistent positive reinforcement, your dog can learn to associate the broom with positive outcomes, reducing their fear or aggression towards it.

Learn how to treat the underlying issue that was causing your dog’s problem in the first place by going back to the first section now.

In conclusion, if your dog hates brooms it is typically a reaction to their instincts or past experiences, but with the right approach, it’s possible to teach them to remain calm or indifferent to its presence.

Whether your dog views the broom as a predator, prey, or plaything, understanding and addressing their behavior through positive training methods can help overcome their aversion.

You’re probably ready to get going now that you have all of your questions about why your dog is afraid of brooms answered, so I’ll let you begin. Good luck, and thanks for reading our article “Why Are Dogs Scared of Brooms? Why Do Dogs Hate Brooms? (+Help!)”.