An unbiased unsolicited -and whimsical- review of a Black and Decker Dustbuster purchased Dec 2024.

This video is a positive and whimsical review of the Black and Decker handheld Dustbuster from the point of view a dog owner. It's in the Style of a Dr. Suess story. Any person who has had a dog, shedding or not, needs to see this video! I purchased the vacuum so this is my unbiased opinion.

I found the vacuum to be useful for picking up most dry materials brought in, shed from, spread by or chewed by our two dogs. (dust, dirt, hair, tree needles, sand, small pebbles, bits of wood, stuffie guts, bits of cardboard and plastic etc)
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Pros: I like the fact that the button has to pressed down to keep the machine going as it decreases noise and also saves the battery. Targeted cleaning. The noise is not very loud.
I love that it is lightweight, powerful enough for the job, and cordless. I am much more likely to grab it and use it that dig out the regular vacuum, especially for the small jobs. Interestingly, I find myself using it with either hand, so it's useful for both left and right handed people.
I thought I would prefer the handle being side to side across the machine rather than straight as I had a shoulder injury, but since I don't hold it for long at each use, that has not been an issue at all. In fact, I prefer holding it with one hand.
I have had the machine over a month now and used it at least every other day. The battery has held a good charge. The recharging station can be mounted almost anywhere so it's convenient! We wish we had one years ago!
For CA$40 that we paid for it, it is great value for the money!

Tips for use: Charge the battery for a minimum of 4 hours before using for the first time.
Combine with using a broom or sweeper to reduce back strain, then suck up the piles.
Dump out the receptacle after each use. This keeps the suction strong. If the container is too packed, it does lose suction. As you will see from the video, emptying it is easy!
Only use in the house or you risk bringing in spiders and cob webs from the garage or car.

From a dog training perspective, if your dog is afraid of noises, take time to systematically desensitize her to it over many short periods. Make it fun by pairing it's presence with treats or a toy your dog enjoys. Start with presenting the machine (off) then giving a treat or toy. At a bit of a distance from your dog, press the button once then feed a treat or toy. Repeat and watch to see if your dog shows signs of stress: looking away, turning their head, yawning, stepping back, or attempts to move towards the machine to bite it etc. Always present the machine before delivering the treat. No behavior is expected by the dog other than not being afraid or aggressive. If you see these, take a break and try again, starting at a greater distance, or maybe even with a barrier like a baby gate between your dog and the vacuum to help him feel safe. Only when your dog is comfortable being around it, should you decrease the distance.
Warning: Do not allow family members to chase the dog with it, even if they think it is funny. The experience of being chased by a noisy monster is not fun for most dogs. Also, do not use it to directly vacuum the dog.
As you can see in the video, my collie mix dog is quite curious about it and it becomes a positive experience because she gets good things (a toy in one case) when she is near it. My other dog is 16 years old and partly deaf but is also not afraid of it.
The Dustbuster is great starting step to prepare your dog for the sight, sound and movement of a larger vacuum.
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