my pitbull is still a pup and gives me a hard time at bath time. i cant imagine how hard it would be when he gets bigger. any tips of how to cure his fear of water. or at leasr get him to sit still during his bath
2007-06-30 08:58:56 · 8 answers · asked by cesar 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Slowly introduce him to all of the tools of bath time, including where you bath him. Start with no water and just give him lots of treats and attention, to help him relax and realize that it is not a bad place. Do that for a few days then start to slowly add water into the situation. First just a little in the bottom of the tub/basin, then slowly start to splash it up on his legs, finally starting to pour the water over his back and neck area. Go slowly and use lots of treats and praise.
2007-06-30 09:05:34 · answer #1 · answered by kmarble4 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Start desensitizing him.
Start giving him treats near the tub. Lots of praise and affection. Do this a few times a day.
When he starts looking forward to "tub treats", put him in the tub. DON'T TURN ON THE WATER!, just let him get used to the tub with lots of yummy treats and affection.
When he's comfortable with standing in a dry tub, let him stand next to the tub and turn on the water. Just a trickle at first. Again, lots of praise and affection.
Gradually increase the water (over the course of a few lessons), as he gets used to the sound/experience until it's on full.
By now, he should be more comfortable with the idea of a bath. Try it. Praise bravery, ignore fear/agression.
This is gonna take a while. Don't rush. Small, short lessons a few times a day, (the more "lessons" a day, the faster he will learn) wait until he's comfortable before moving on. Eventually, he won't be so scared.
2007-06-30 09:12:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't put dogs into water. I use a hose attachment and shower the dog, avoiding the head at first. I train them to stay anyway, so they also learn to stay in the bath tub.
When I was showing every weekend I'd just point at the tub and the dogs would put themselves in the tub.
Obedience train the dog and insist is stay calm, you stay calm as well. Don't yell or get upset.
I put shampoo in a squirt bottle (I recycle a dish soap bottle) and add a little water...that way I use less shampoo and it goes on the dog much easier and spreads faster and is easier to rinse.
Make sure you use tepid, not too warm water. Rinse super well, never spray water in the eyes....I cover the eyes and run water over the face, avoiding the nose.
You can put cotton balls in the ears also.
So the short answer is train him now, before he gets big.
2007-06-30 09:12:01 · answer #3 · answered by Whippet keeper 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is not fear of water it is BATH. All dogs hate it just keep doing this and pup should learn that he has to behave.
2007-06-30 09:52:27 · answer #4 · answered by Marvelgirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My chocolate lab.. Tyra.. is a pup and she dosnt like baths but she loves getting sprayed with the hose on hot days... try that and see what he does..
2007-06-30 09:03:42 · answer #5 · answered by Krista 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually when an animal doesn't behave for a bath it never changes
2007-06-30 09:39:38 · answer #6 · answered by luckford2004 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe he's had a bad experience with water like my dog shawn. my dog almost drown as a little pup. if it wasn't for his mom's owner walking out to check on them he would have. see if you can find out if there are any bad water experiences for him and if there are work from there. if not try dog treats and lots of attention.
2007-06-30 09:13:35 · answer #7 · answered by MommyCaleb 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
lol same problem...all i do is talk to him reasure him and give him lots of ham after....he used to jump out the bath before.but now hes still and stays there coz he knows hes gonna get ham lol
2007-06-30 09:03:26 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋