My new Chihuahua is petrified of the bath! Help!?

Question

I found my new little baby running down a country highway! We went door to door put up signs and an ad in the paper twice! No one clained him so we decided to keep him! We named him Bandit he is like the perfect little doggy! But is petrified of the bath! I HAVE TO bathe him if hes gonna live in the house with me! He's not just scared he is absolutely petrified! He howls and cries he tenses up and pee's everywhere! We've had him for about 2 months now and I think he may have had some tramatic experience with water or the bath! What can i do to show him that im not gonna hurt him in the bath! Any suggestions would be great!

Here's some Pix of Bandit!

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i76/KatCountry1033Girl/PICT1333.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i76/KatCountry1033Girl/PICT1329-1.jpg

Answer 1

Give the chamomile I recommended in your other question..and then try the bath..
Or, you can wash him out of the water with a wet washcloth..
You can also use Colgate's Men's Shaving Foam (just the old fashioned cheap kind) and rub the foam into his coat, and wipe it dry with a towel...Does a good job, and smells great..

Answer 2

For now, to get him clean and smelling decent, there are dry baths you can use. Look, at a pet store, for a powdered one that you rub into the coat and brush out. Also, baking soda works like a charm, rub it into his coat and brush it out. Make sure you get all the way down to his skin.
A long term solution will be, well, a long term goal.
Dogs have phobias like people do, and like people can eventually overcome them. Remember he's gonna need lots of patience.
Start with the bathroom (or where ever you want to bathe him). He only gets his very favorite treats near that location. Close enough for him to notice it's the hated bath place, but far enough away for him to be "sane" enough to take food.
A few times a day, treat him near the tub, lots of praise and sweet talk. Tell him how brave he is. When he gets comfortable, as in, more interested in the food than nervous about the location, move closer. The goal is to have him stand comfortably in the empty tub. Again, patience! This may take months, depending on his psychosis :-).
Then, when he is NOT in the room, fill the tub with water. Sometimes it's the sound of the tap running that dogs hate. Don't make a big deal, but try to get him into the filled tub. If you get nervous or seem like it's a different and scary thing, he'll be convinced you are trying to kill him. You may have to start the above steps over with a full tub. Be patient. All good yummies should only be offered as a reward for bravery.
Eventually if your lucky and have a very brave dog, he will be in the bath. Yeah! You did it! Yummies for both of you!!
Consider not using the tap if he hates it. Use a cup or a bottle of water to rinse him instead. Have it ready before hand so you don't have to fumble around with a soapy, panicking doggie.
Good Luck.

Answer 3

cute dog. I would suggest trying to implant in his head that the bathroom and bath tub are positive places. Let him be in the bathroom while you take baths so he can see that you do it and its ok. I would even try giving him treats while you are in the tub. when he warms up to the bathroom, try getting him used to being in the tub without the water. just put him in for a sec and then give him a treat when he is in there. condition him to feel that the bathroom is a place to get treats and attention. I would next move on to wiping him with a wet rag while he is in the tub so he can get used to being damp in there. go slow. if you force him he will perceve the bathroom as a place of punishment and not only will he not like it, everytime you bathe him he will think you are mad at him. In the meantime pick up one of those powder waterless shampoo deals to dust the stink off of him and make sure he dosnt go places where he may get bugs

Answer 4

Your little Bandit is adorable ! Maybe if u try just putting his feet in very shallow water at first, then gradually, over time, go a little further, try wetting his body with ur hands while talking in a soothing manner. If he accepts this, then later u could try adding more water and a little shampoo. If nothing works, perhaps a dog groomer could do more with him, but u need to be present to make sure he is not traumatized further. If all fails, there r wet towelettes at pet stores u might try. Good luck with ur cutie.

Answer 5

Your chi is absolutely adorable. I have a short hair chihuahua-he looks exactly like the taco bell dog. Anyway, Storm (my chi) doesn't like baths either. He's 8 months old and he tries to claw his way out of the tub. I have to talk to him and sing to him while I bathe him. It sounds crazy but my voice really does calm him down. I also rub his head and he gets in this calm, trance-like state while I do this. It makes bathing a lot easier. Good luck with yours.

Answer 6

when you shower or bathe, let him inside the bathroom, leave the door open and let him get curious of the water in the tub.....he will get used to the running water, and put some water in your hand and let him check it out.... put a plastic tub with some water, wet a wash cloth and let him check it out, then slowly and calmly take the cloth and slowly touch if he runs away, be patient and keep calling him to come, play some more his foot with it, make it a game,
give him a sponge bath and soon you will be able to wash him. i advise using the plastic tub, the bathtub might be too scary for him, he is small and might get too nervous in a big tub... hope this works otherwise you might have to take him to a pet groomer for awhile until he gets used to it, and in some places they have mobile vans that will come to your home and put him in the van for the bath and grooming and they know how to handle nervous dogs and cats.....

Answer 7

I have a rat terrier that has the same problem. I have found that throwing on a bathing suit and sitting in the tub with her when I give her a bath really helps. Also, I use a "baby shower" (http://www.greatbabyproducts.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=SASS-189&Click=862226)

Answer 8

poor little guy...i hate saying this but maybe someone tried to drown him or something (what a horrible thing to do to such an adorable dog)...the shower might work...or maybe a small basin with some water, something that doesn't look like a bath

Answer 9

try taking him in the shower with you. Maybe if he see you in there with him he wont freak out. There are also waterless bathing products avail. They are like a powder that you put on and wipe off.

Answer 10

ok don't laugh, i put peanut butter along the sides of the bathtub when i give my golden a bath, it works great, she doesn't mind bath, it just makes it easier for me. and clean up is a breeze..