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AKD
LIF Adult
Member since 1/12 2637 total posts
Name:
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Bath Time for Dogs
Is anyone else's dog absolutely terrified of taking a bath? If so, what are some suggestions you have on how to help alleviate some of it and be able to give them a bath?
Some background, we're pretty certain our little sunshine either almost drowned or was in some kind of bad water condition during Sandy. He was rescued by North Shore from Far Rockaway right around that time, and then we adopted him. He's literally terrified of the water and bath time is never a fun time.
We've tried the following things:
> Using a bucket or a small cup to pour a little at a time
> Being in the tub with him
> Having his favorite toys in there
> Peanut butter around tub (that worked for like 2 minutes)
> we also brought him to a groomer that took care of him so carefully but even then he was super terrified
Any suggestions would be super helpful. He's a 50 pound lab/shephard mix if that helps in any way.
Message edited 9/24/2013 12:05:17 PM.
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Posted 9/24/13 12:04 PM  |
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alli3131
Peanut is here!!!!!!
Member since 5/09 18388 total posts
Name:
Allison
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Bath Time for Dogs
My dog hates, hates, hates the bath. Thank god my bathroom is tiny so he really can't go anywhere.
my DH does the bath time. He gets in the tub with him and works as fast as possible. I don;t think there is anything we could do to make it better. The only thing he hates more is nails!!
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| Posted 9/24/13 1:57 PM |
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halfbaked
LIF Adult
Member since 8/12 6937 total posts
Name:
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Re: Bath Time for Dogs
Posted by alli3131
He gets in the tub with him and works as fast as possible. I don;t think there is anything we could do to make it better. The only thing he hates more is nails!!
I think that's the crux of it, getting it done quickly. And doing it regularly, so they get used to it. You and I as humans might like to be held and coddled and told "This is what is going to happen." before it happens, but I find that puts my dog on edge. I had the hardest time cleaning his ears, but since he's been diagnosed with dermatitis, I have to clean his ears twice a week. The first time I did it, I just didn't hesitate. I walked right up to him with the bottle in my hand (Not hiding it, like I used to do) and he just sat there and took it and made ugly faces.  Then he got a nice treat afterwards. The next time, my DH did it and he tried to be sneaky. He hid the bottle behind him and sat on the couch petting our pup and when he took the bottle out from behind his back, the dog bolted and tried to hide in our bedroom closet. As if we wouldn't find him there. Now, we're more decisive, we know what we're doing and we just do it, no hesitations. I know dogs can pick up on your emotions as well, so if you feel anxiety about giving him a bath, he's going to become anxious. Make it no big deal and it is no big deal. And then of course, repitition. It might seem cruel to subject him to baths frequently since they terrify him, but that's the only way he'll get used to them. At the beginning of the summer, we needed the vet technician to come out of the vet's office and help us "herd" our pup into the office. Then he had to be muzzled. The groomer had to physically lift him over his shoulder and carry him into the groomers. Now, he trots right in and puts his paws on the counter to greet the technician. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, since our dog has been to the vet several times this summer, he has become a pro at the vet's office. He also gets a VERY special treat after every visit to the vet- a bacon cheeseburger (well, now with no bun since we cut grains out of his diet). And our pup is 80 lbs. and extremely smart and observant. He used to run away when I had a chapstick in my hand thinking it was ointment for his ears.
He is still terrified of baths, but that's next on our list of fears to conquer. Maybe after helping Irwin out I'll start working on my OWN fears! But good luck!!! 
Message edited 9/24/2013 4:27:25 PM.
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| Posted 9/24/13 4:26 PM |
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AKD
LIF Adult
Member since 1/12 2637 total posts
Name:
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Re: Bath Time for Dogs
Thanks guys - that's what we've been doing, trying to do it as quickly as possible. We'll keep at it!
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| Posted 9/25/13 9:15 AM |
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PhyllisNJoe
My Box Is Broken
Member since 6/11 9145 total posts
Name:
Phyllis
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Re: Bath Time for Dogs
My little one HATES baths. I mean it's like I'm pouring acid on him. But he will walk right into the shower with me with no problem. It's the weirdest thing. I just keep his shampoo in there as well. He usually likes to take a steam when I shower and every so often, I open up the shower door and call him in. He's so good with the shower.
Maybe try that?
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| Posted 10/2/13 10:55 PM |
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AKD
LIF Adult
Member since 1/12 2637 total posts
Name:
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Re: Bath Time for Dogs
Posted by PhyllisNJoe
My little one HATES baths. I mean it's like I'm pouring acid on him. But he will walk right into the shower with me with no problem. It's the weirdest thing. I just keep his shampoo in there as well. He usually likes to take a steam when I shower and every so often, I open up the shower door and call him in. He's so good with the shower.
Maybe try that?
Yup we've tried that also  But since his last bath, now he doesn't even come near the shower anymore.
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| Posted 10/3/13 7:36 AM |
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PhyllisNJoe
My Box Is Broken
Member since 6/11 9145 total posts
Name:
Phyllis
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Re: Bath Time for Dogs
 hmmmm
Maybe try a natural sedative before bath time? Happy traveler could help calm him down so it isn't so traumatic. Also may be a good idea to try and find a trainer who specializes in this sort of thing. Working on fear and anxiety.
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| Posted 10/3/13 8:13 AM |
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