Can i wash my dog using the hose pipe?

Question

I usually bath my dog in the bath but he is scratching it. Can I wash him using the hose pipe in my garden or is that cruel? Can they stand cold water if I were to bring him straight in afterwards and blow dry him? He is a chunky labrador, not a skinny little dog.

Answer 1

Why not get a rubber mat to use in your bath to save him from scratching it . I have bathed mine outside in the summer but used warm water from buckets . Hose pipe brrrrrrr

Answer 2

My friend has a bull mastiff which he washes down in the garden with a hose pipe as she is to big to get in the bath and she actually enjoys it, it's more of a game to her. If you are worried about using cold water, which is understandable cos I wouldn't like it, then why not see if you can get a large watering can with a rose on the end, as this will then work like a shower head, you can then put luke warm water in the can. obviously you would need to get someone to help pour the water as you rinse the dog down. Whatever you decide to do just make sure you bring the dog indoors as soon as you have washed it and you shouldn't have any problems. Don't get me wrong, you will probably have people saying this is cruel, but I am an animal lover and see it as being no different to a dog being left out in the rain. It's not going to take ages to bath the dog outside and like I say your dog might even enjoy it.

Answer 3

If its a sunny day it will be fine but if its cold I wouldnt. Also might be good if you get some warm water in a bucket and pour it on him rather than a cold house pipe unless it was very hot.When its summer that how we are going to wash our dog. For now we put him in the bath as well but he does get very cold when we do it even though we use warm water. Could you not use some sort of bath matt for in the bath tub? Also it always easier to wash a dog with two people then one can be calming him down then he doesnt jump all over the bath tub.
Good luck

Answer 4

It is OK to bath your dog outside with the hose, depending on where you live and what time of year. I have 200+lb dogs so I know what you mean about the bath tub. I bath all my dogs inside in the winter, because dogs do get cold and will get sick too. I put down plastic bath mats and that solved the scratching problem.

On hot days, the dogs will actually enjoy the cold bath, and they will have fun. However if your dog is sensitive to the cold water and doesn't like it (I have one dog like that) or you don't feel comfortable using cold water, their is a device called the "Tropical Shower". It connects your hose to the warm water inside your home and is quite easy to use. I got mine for $49 at http://www.apampereddog.com/site/1313316/product/PAWSSHOWER-gc
But I'm sure you can get it at just about any pet supply store, even try Ebay.

I hope this helps.

Answer 5

Yes, certainly. All our labs were bathed using the garden hose, before they had the opportunity to spread mud through the entire house.

I've had them run straight into the water in January in Canada, so a bit of cold water doesn't bother them in the slightest, that 's what they are bred for. As long as it's not cold out, they can stay outdoors to dry off too. But then they usually head for a mud puddle!

Answer 6

Basic Training of the Puppy - Read here https://tr.im/zkYaQ

The new puppy is certainly one of the most adorable and cuddly creatures that has ever been created. It is the most natural thing in the world to shower it with love and affection. However, at the same time it is important to realize that if you want to have a well trained adult dog, you need to begin the training process right away. The dog, like its related ancestor, the wolf, is a pack animal. One of the features of a pack is that it has a single dominant leader. Your new puppy is going to want that leader to be you, but if you do not assume that role from the very beginning, the puppy’s instincts will push him to become the leader.

The most important thing to remember about training the puppy during its first six months of life is that it must see you as the leader of the family pack. The essential thing is gaining the trust and the respect of the puppy from the beginning. You will not do this by allowing the puppy to do whatever it wants to do whenever it wants to do it. On the other hand, a certain amount of patience is required. Most people err in their early training by going to extremes one way or the other. Although you need to begin the basic training process at once, you can not expect your dog to do too much at first. Basic obedience training is fine and should include simple commands like sit, stay, and come. Remember that trying to teach the dog advanced obedience techniques when it is a puppy is much like trying to teach a five year old child algebra.

It is also important to restrain from cruel or abusive treatment of the puppy. You can not beat obedience into your dog, and it certainly is not going to engender feeling of respect and trust. House breaking is an area where this usually becomes a problem because of the anger that is triggered when the puppy fails and creates a mess inside the home. Although this issue must be addressed without anger, it most be addressed. If you allow the puppy to eliminate inside the house, it will continue to do so as an adult dog. The same thing is true of other destructive or dangerous behavior such as chewing and biting. Do not expect the puppy to grow out of it. You are going to need to train the puppy out of it, but you should do so firmly but with a sense of play and fun using positive reinforcement and lots of love and praise for good behavior.

Answer 7

You didn't mention the temperature in your area. A Lab can stand the cold water but he needs to be COMPLETELY dried off after wards. A damp or wet dog shouldn't be left outdoors on a cold day. When hunting their oily coat protects them on icy mornings. But you will be washing a lot of that oil out, so he needs thorough drying.
If you have an aluminum wash tub to sit him in outdoors you can boil water to add to the cold water from your hose. I would do this unless the weather is warm. Labs are hot natured dogs, so in summer he probably wouldn't mind that cold water. He might thank you.

Answer 8

yea definately, when ive taken my two spaniels out, i take them straight to the hose pipe and give them a wash - they look miserbale for a bit but they cant complain, theyve just been swimming in a stream and they didnt mind the cold then..! I think of it as a quick ice bath like sportsmen do after a match - good for the muscles! hehe! also, fleas dont like the cold so helps to get rid of any they might have. after im done, i just let them run around the garden for a couple of mins, have a couple of shakes and then into the house where they are happy and dry off next the aga.

Answer 9

it's not cruel. it depends on the distance between the pipe and the dog. if you are running around the garden with the hosepipe, well, that's daft. I know you mean getting the dog to sit down, while hosing him down. that's normal. Nothing cruel about that.

Cold water is fine too.

Blow drying him... that sounds odd to me. what's wrong with a towel? Plus dogs were notorious for liberally sprinkling the surroundings with water from their wet coats.

So.. yes you can wash your dog with a hosepipe.

Answer 10

Every dog is different and has its own character. My dog absolutely loves it when we wash him with the house pipe, especially given the recent spell of sunshine we have.

He likes playing and chasing the water as well as biting and drinking it. I dont think its cruel at all :).

He will be getting washed, cleaned, pampered, probably brushed downed, blow dryed and told "you're a good boy arent you!" . Dogs are resiliant creatures but you'll know if he doesnt like it because he'll act all upset with you after, hehe.

Thats a great life if you ask me! Thats why they say its a dogs life!