My Dog Hates Baths! What to do?

[thebritt]

Quote:
That's what I've done, and it works well. I always use a massaging rub, and tell the dog "Oh my, EVERYONE is going to want to pet you!" Also use WARM water, as many dogs hate a cold shower as much as most of us do!
Good luck!

 

[onthespot]

Those powders only do so much. If your dog is plain ol' filthy, she will need a soap and water bath. Ask your vet for some tranquilizers or better yet, ask the vet if they offer tranq'ed bathing services. If they don't routinely do that, ask if they can wash your dog at their office while it is "medically assisted" with coping with the stress, just in case anything goes otherwise than planned. Once she is deep cleaned you can keep her up with powdered cleaners. Also, don't just drip dry. Make sure they blow her dry with a professional dog blower. That is half the trick of geting them clean. It blows out the fug on their skin, knocks fleas flying ten feet away, gets rid of loose undercoat which is a big trapper of dirt and odors, and gets the water completely off the dog instead of drying on it with the dirt and grime that didn't wash off. Your dog probably will NOT like the blower, better if she sleeps through that part.

 

[Chicks_N_Horses]

No, because I don't bathe my dogs

...but they don't stink...anymore than normal dog smell

 

[feather leg farms]

I'll try the warm water. We use our outside water source.

 

[Tam'ra of Rainbow Vortex]

Maybe it seems mean, but I just tie my dog to the fence and wash him. Once he knows he can't escape, he doesn't even try. He doesn't like it, but neither do I. We both endure it twice a year (late spring and early fall) but my dog is fairly dirt resistant and sleeps inside so he does not need much cleaning. His real problem is that he only likes to get wet on his own terms. But I always give him lots of praise and treats and after I take him for a nice long walk or play with him till he is fully dry. I love him and I hate to do things he doesn't like, but I also don't wanna spend the time and money on something he STILL won't like, I would rather buy him treats and play with him.