Help. Talk sense in to me

[ChickensHaveNoLips]

DS2 was hoovering. Jasper not keen, but getting better. Anyway, DS1 was giving him a fuss to distract him from barking at the hoovering. DS2 then moved Hoover towards dog and DS1. Jasper snapped at the Hoover, then turned and got a gobful of DS1's shirt. He grazed his hip, but didn't break the skin. DS1 was shocked and tearful. Now, when I hoover Jasper has a tendency to run around 'rescuing' things from the Hoover. He picks up toys, blankets etc and moves them away. I want to believe that that was his intention with DS1. But he's not a tiny puppy any more, he's nearly 1 and I am upset. It goes without saying that in future the Hoover and the dog won't mix. How would you handle this?

put the dog inother room when you hoover, or keep the children at a distance if the dog is spooked by the hoover. Some dogs just don't like that sort of noise and never will

I would handle this by (having a huge cup of coffee/wine and some chocolate) then just learn that the situation was too much for Jasper. I would think back to the situation and remember his reaction, body language etc so that IF Jasper is put in a situation that is difficult you can react before he does.

You can train him to like the hoover but to be honest it would be easier to put him in another room when you are hoovering.

It may also be a good opportunity to discuss with your DS a plan when Jasper does get over heated eg walk away from him and call you and stop what they were doing.

(PS he is not turning into a vicious child eating dog)

Oh, thank you both I know he isn't really. But I've had a shitter of a day and this just about topped it off. DS1 has made friends with the snappy beast again, and it's all forgotten. I think he probably was just a bit agitated and wanting to drag DS away from the scary hoover monster. But from now on I'll make sure that the hoover is kept away from the dog. I used to think he was playing by trying to eat the brush end, but now I realise it's actually anxiety. Sometimes he ignores it entirely, but I think because DS2 suddenly moved towards him he thought it was after him.

I'm a bit embarassed now

Our younger dog is scared of the hoover. Who knows why, as it has never attacked her! We have to make sure she has an escape route to another room, or I think she would lose it a bit too. She's also frightened of feathers (as we all know feathers are dangerous and prone to attack ) and we distract her with a treat if she sees one on walks as she can bolt/ growl/ snap at it and generally forget her usual behaviour.

I think your dog probably just panicked and found himself in a situation beyond what he could cope with. It sounds like a spur of the moment panic with no malice involved. I agree with the other posters that the easiest thing is to put him somewhere else when you hoover. After all, he'll only be somewhere else for a couple of minutes says she with the skanky house.