My dog is deathly afraid of water -- thus, anytime we've tried to give him a bath, he runs scared. No amount of coaxing will help, and he's too big for us to pick up. He won't even get anywhere near a water source. Not even his water dish sometimes. It's gotten so bad, that I can't remember the last time we bathed him. It's unhealthy for him to stay so dirty, and I want to give him a bath. Please help!
2007-07-29 05:06:06 · 15 answers · asked by Alma C 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
you can try getting him into the bathtub before you put the water in. That's what I had to do with my dog when she was younger. We have those sliding doors on our bathtubs, so she can't escape around us, but if you don't, I'd have your family line up next to you (along the tub) to keep him in.
If that doesn't work, tie him up outside on a leash and chase him around with the hose. Once he's thoroughly soaked, shampoo him down. He shouldn't mind that. It's like being petted lots. Then, chase him down again to rinse him off. I tried that with my dog too. She liked the bathtub more, and started coming to the tub willingly to get away from the hose.
2007-07-29 05:13:18 · answer #1 · answered by Emily A 3 · 5⤊ 2⤋
Sounds like something has really scared him of water. If you have a bath tub with a shower door and a removable shower sprayer. I would suggest having someone help get him to the bathroom and help put his front half in first then lift the rear of him in. That is if he won't bite you. Then once you get him in get in with him and shut the door having someone there in care he figures out how to open it. Turn the pressure down on the water and talk to him and start with the head maybe you might need to use a cup for his head getting it wet then shampoo his head and neck.
If you can get through that with him wet the rest of his body with the sprayer on low. Then shampoo and rinse. That is the best I know to tell you. Sometimes my dog is not happy about a bath so I climb in with her and you my shower sprayer on her it is easier for me that way. Just be gentle and talk to him while you are doing it. Hopefully the more you bath him and he sees you are not going to hurt him he may get better but probably won't like it much better. Good luck.
2007-07-29 05:16:50 · answer #2 · answered by bizyhillbilly_252002 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a doberman (rest in peace DIVA) and well she was the same way. so rather then paying loads of money to have her bite someone, I would set everything up in a bucket where she didn't see it.. get the leash put it on her, she always thought she was going for a walk.. then i would do it outside, i would tie the leash up to the water faucet and use the hose, talk to her and let her know its okay.. if you set the stuff out where they can see it , ur never gonna get them on the leash , they are alot smarter then you think. i had to do it fast.. but she was good , and got a treat after and went for a walk. then she would always jump in dirt and that would be the end of it.. u can tie them up to a tree or something else.. but using a hose is best. do it when its hot out so that they don't get to cold with the water.. good luck,. be sure to talk to the dog and let them know that they are okay. and give them treats when they are done!
2007-07-29 05:13:56 · answer #3 · answered by mommy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stop coaxing and trying to sound soothing to him. Be direct and firm with him and just put him in the tub. Don't talk to him like a baby otherwise he'll think there is a reason to be scared. He doesn't understand what you're saying and even though you're trying to comfor him, it's just encouraging him to stay frightened to the water. Put a leash on him, bring him to the bathtub that's already filled and tell him to go in in a firm voice. Believe that he will and don't be soft on him--there is no reason why he should be afraid of water and it is unhealthy.
2007-07-29 05:10:36 · answer #4 · answered by April W 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well my suggestion is to find someone who's willing to hold him and get him a little wet. Maybe someone who's strong enough to handle a big dog like that. Cause you know what I would do? I would take him outside have someone bear hug him and just turn on the hose and wash him down. Don't put a lot of soap on him b/c it's time consuming to rinse it all out. Just put on enough to get him nice and clean. Forget the bathtub .. that's not going to work anymore.
2007-07-29 05:11:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My dog is afraid of water to when we have to give Her bath we put her on a lease and tie her up to a tree. But be warned do it on a short and strong lease or you could put a baby pool in your backyard and so when it it gets really hot your dog wont be able to resist going for a swim. Hope this advice works!
2007-07-29 05:17:42 · answer #6 · answered by tiger101 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a large dog (Big Mac) that I had to harness and muzzle then get him into the bathtub and tie him to the "handle" on the wall and to one of the faucet handles to bathe him. I made the water nice and warm/cool, talked calmly to him while I washed/pet him. Gently pour a cup of water over him to rinse; do not splash or squirt water at him to rinse. Give him special attention when he is done!
Good luck.
2007-07-29 05:14:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Muzzle dog. Back tie to a post with no more then an inch of leash left. Make sure he is on a choker so he cannot get out. Hose and bathe the dog. Personally, I never understood why people cannot do what they want to their dogs? YOU are supposed to be the one in charge there, you decide when and how things happen. The dog has an issue with water, ok, tell us what else does he have an issue with? That is not all there is....
2007-07-29 05:16:59 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
Do you leave the water running in the tub? My dogs are afraid of the water, but only when it's running.
If that's not the case, then try the hose.
2007-07-29 05:14:55 · answer #9 · answered by the_bloody_grinch 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My dog wont bath either. My dog fears water like crazy. I have to chain him to the deck and bath him. He hates it but I have no other way of doing it.
2007-07-29 05:53:05 · answer #10 · answered by Me 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋