My dogs are terrified of water... help?

Question

Both my dogs are adopted and each is terrified of water for different reasons. The male was dumped over a bridge into water, and my female had been in a shelter for 18 of her 24 months of life and NEVER been given a bath. So what can I do? It is such an ordeal when I go to bathe them, & they are large, Rhodesian Ridgebacks. Once I get them in the tub I comfort them and it is somewhat okay, but just getting them in there is CRAZY.

Answer 1

Oh of course. The answer is spraying them down so that they hate you even more, and are afraid of the water and try to run away.

You have to give them patience and comfort when it comes to taking baths. Try petting them almost constantly and take the doggy shampoo and the water slow and tepid. They have to get a feel of the bath before they can settle down and feel up to doing it without any fight at all.

Answer 2

Have them go near the tub - give them pets hugs and assurance - maybe a treat. No water in the tub - just go in the room.

Put water in the tub. Do the go in, get pets etc, leave.

Have them get in tub without water - pets and treats

Even if they just get half in - praise reward and quit for then.

Ask for more later.

You are trying to show them that it is not a terrible thing.

Even take turns gving them dinner in the tub. Rhodies are chow-hounds - the food fanatics from beyond.

MAKE SURE THERE IS A GOOD BIG RUBBER MAT FOR THEM TO STAND ON - THEY HATE FEELING LIKE THEY ARE GOING TO SLIP. Even dogs who adore the water (my 2 year old wants in Lake Michigan in January!) still dislike the slippery tub where they feel trapped by the walls.

Don't spray them, pour the water.

If they are still upset, do your baths outside with a hose (warm water would be great.) Give a stand/stay (and if they don'tknow that, off to obedience class with all of you - and yes, Rhodies are very trainable, I've handled them) and bathe them outside.

You don't need to bathe this breed much - their coat repells water and dirt. Maybe 1 or 2 times a year unless they rolled in something nasty or are covered with mud.

Got to love these "well just make them" pet people. Rhodies are strong. intelligent and (very) independent minded dogs.You have to persuade them to do something - forcing just turns into a horrendous fight - and my money is on the Rhodie! Also, you want to build their trust - lost, abandoned and mistreated and landing in the hands of someone who forces them to do somthing which worries them, brusquely and abruptly?? Yiiiiiii !

Break it down into small steps. Show them it is okay. Reward them for putting up with each step. They may never love baths but they won't be so upset.

Answer 3

i had a dog that was adopted and she did not like baths at all. i would have to shut all the doors to all the other rooms. she would still manage to find a place to hide. when i finally got her into the tub she would sit there and let me bathe her, but she always had a look on her face, like just turn your back for a minute and i'm out of here. unfortunately she never got use to it. it was a chore for 13 wonderful years.

Answer 4

my dog hated water only after being forced into a bath at a boarders. she LOVED it before hand. then we just had to chase her around the yard with the hose. my other dog (much smaller) hates it. she's spaniel lab too! but we just dont bath her. she goes to the groomer once a year, and if we take her to the boarders they give a bath. but thats it. my new pup hates it too. but thankfully she's only 4 months old. she stands there trying to lift her feet out, but we just tell her no when she trys to get out of the tub. she attempted to go swimming in the pool but just fell in and we grabbed her out, so we think thats why she is scared now. hopefully next summer she will go swimming with us and that will be the end of the water fear.

Answer 5

According to my vet you shouldn't comfort a dog when they are being fearful bc it leads the dog to believe either that by acting afraid you will fawn all over them or two that they need to be the one protecting you. Instead she recomends acting firm in these situations. Firmly tell your dog no when they shy away from the water. You want your dogs to know that you are in charge at all times even when it's getting them to do something that they don't want to do. I know it is difficult. I rescued a dog from the pound who had been beaten and you only want them to be happy and feel secure, but by being firm with him he learned what I expected from him and now he his a confident happy dog. Good Luck.

Answer 6

Try to make the bath as positive as you can, keep treats handy and award them when they are being good. Speak in low, soothing tones, so you don't stress them out further.

If it is too stressful, try going to a groomer, petsmart/petco groomers are pretty reasonable if its just a bath, my parents rott raises holy h*ll if we try to bathe her, but she does much better at the groomers.

Answer 7

most dogs don't like water, bribe them with treats, use the treats to get them in the tub. or just go in the bathroom like you are going to go potty (my dogs always go in the bathroom with me) then shut the door. You're almost there- then you just have to get them in the tub. Or you can cheat and take them to a groomer and let the groomer get them in a tub, although they may not fall for that one again.

Answer 8

mabey before u put the water on through a bone in the tub.and their prob. go in turn the water on and then give them a bath, i really suck at advice so goodluck

Answer 9

let the vet bathe them---problem solved

Answer 10

You should just take him out side and lock down and spray him or her with the hose.