Bath time

[jwardmagic]

I was wondering how you can get your pup to sit still in the bath, without struggling. Everytime mine gets in and I turn the shower on, he starts fighting and trying to climb out. Hes not scared and not whimpering but its very hard and I get soaked myself. Any ideas?

[Lilys_mommy]

is the shower head detachable?
If not maybe it's that sudden burst from the shower head that startles him vs. being able to warm up to the water...

it's only a guess.

[jwardmagic]

It is detachable but it has a shower head and is very light.

[Lilys_mommy]

i would think it's something the puppy has to get used to...

I'm not sure though...i have yet to even get my puppy!! I'm sure some of the more experienced owners will have some good advice for you.

My only thing is i would start at the paws so they get used to it...Or, if the temperature of the water is too cold or hot at the initial turn on/contact with puppy that might be what causes her to move around or try to get out.

[calgal]

Just hook up a portable shower head and put it up against his body so that it doesn't spray all over the place. He's afraid of the shower and you may ruin him from likeing a bath. This should be a fun time for him, not scary.

[RIo&Nickysmommy]

When I give RIo & Nicholas a bath I put my bathing suite on and a pair of shorts. Put them in the tub and sit on the side of the tub with my feet in the water. Give them their bath and they are good and sit still as long as I have my feet in their with them. ( My dogs do not like to bath alone ) Then I take them out towel dry them and let them wander around the bathroom drying a little while I take a shower. Hence then we are all clean and I finish drying them some more. The hardest part for me is catching them for their bathes. Nicky before I got him only got a bath when he went to a groomer every couple of months. Now he thinks he is living with a nut who is obsessed with water. I mainly give them bathes when they have been out by my Moms its a very wooded area and thats the only time I have ever seen a tick on my dogs so as soon as they come in my house its off to the bathroom.
Good luck with bathing. I make it fun and they give kisses while I am scrubbing them and I talk to them through the whole thing.
RIo&Nickysmommy

[princessjodi]

That is what groomers are for! :-) But it can get pricey...

I used to bath my dogs outside because the whole bathroom would get water logged and my mom would freak.

How big is your pup? When mine were little I would just bath in the kitchen sink with a towel on the bottom so they would have some traction. Its a lot easier on the back too!

I might keep clear of using the shower head for a bit until your pup gets used to bathing. I would just run a bit of water in the tub and go about it that way...assuming of course you have a tub / shower combo.

Maybe invest in a couple of water toys too and have a bit of playtime before you get down to business to teach your pup water is nothing to be scared of.

[sammy]

My dogs stand nicely if there is a towel on the bottom of the tub so they don't slip / feel like they are slipping. I skipped it the last time and Sammy was very nervous and slipping. I also fill the tub about 3 inches so I can use a big container to rinse without having to turn water on and off. I use the hand shower right at the end to get them all rinsed. I only bath my dogs about twice a year, they do great with just brushing.

[tweetybirdhnc]

if your dogs small enough use the kitchen sink like princessjodi said. That works great with the detachable sprayer. But from what i have gathered the dog is more than likely scared of the immediate curst of water, and especially with him not being used to it.....Im not sure where you live or how the weather is there, but we give our dogs baths in the pool we bought for them. we fill it up and the first time she jumps in we start bathing, and shes okay with that because shes relaxed in the pool something shes used to!!! good luck to you