i have a 9 month old shihtzu puppy who is very scared to take baths! i used to give her baths but she's horrible! she scratchs up my arm trying to get me to pick her up and hold her to get out of the water and she also jumps around and gets water everywhere (i give her baths in the kitchen sink, because its just easier) a few months ago i gave up on trying to bathe her myself so i usually take her to the groomers and let them deal with her, but im tired of wasting $30 every 2 weeks, when i could do it for free. so any tips on giving dogs baths?
and what about blowdrying? the groomer said to use the blowdryer on high speed, and low heat. i do that but the dog trys to attack the hair dryer! any tips on that?
thanks!
2007-12-22 12:33:28 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
i take her to the groomers every 2 weeks because she is a shih-tzu, she has long (not super long yet) hair that gets matted really easily, i brush her everyday but its really nice to get a "professional" 15 minute brush out every 2 weeks. she also gets dirty, especially with the snow melting (its melting where i live) and the whole ground is muddy.
2007-12-22 12:41:49 · update #1
Put a towel or cloth on the bottom of the sink so she has traction. If she feels like she is slipping, she will fight it. Let her front paws be on the edge of the sink (drape another towel or cloth over it. That way, she won't feel like she is going to drown.
Do not fill the sink up with water. Just wet her with the sprayer, turn the water off, soap her up, then rinse. Dogs don't really understand or like standing in water.
Another option is to sit on the side of the tub and bathe her in the tub. Or sit in the tub with her and bathe her (again, don't fill the tub with water).
Hope this helps.
2007-12-22 12:43:48 · answer #1 · answered by maxmom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a Yorkie who also hates baths and gave me a hard time for months. You have to take your time and make the bath less traumatic. I started by getting my dog very calm with belly rubs and soft talk. Then I put him in the dry sink with more rubs and soft talk, so he could see it was not scary. I put the water on a nice lukewarm temperature, not hot, and I wash his face last. If you have a sprayer, hold the nozzle right against your dog's skin. After bath, I swaddle him in the towel and hold him close while I blowdry his face first, on low speed-low heat, then I dry his body on high speed-low heat, using a brush so he dries faster. After we're done, I praise him and play his favorite game.
It took months before he wasn't afraid baths. The entire process takes about 40 minutes, but it's worth the time if he's not fighting me.
2007-12-22 20:44:50 · answer #2 · answered by Nita 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
welp i give dogs baths ALLLLLLLLLLL the time...i have 4 dogs myself...i give dogs and cats baths...and i have given guinea pigs and hamsters and even rabbits a bath...first of all make sure the water isnt too hot or cold it should be comfortable on your elbow or wrist.....also! dont fill the tub...use a sprayer...if u fill the tub she will feel as if she is going to drowned and i suggest u put her on a leash and u can hold her up with your hand on her chest and when she tries to get out firmly say NO and place her back in the tub...but while ur giving the bath talk to her gently and make her feel more comfortable...i do this with every animal i give a bath...i have never been scratched by a cat or bitten or scratched by a dog!
2007-12-22 20:58:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First off, why are you getting her bathed every two weeks? The most often you should bathe is once a month.
You don't have to fill up the tub/sink when you bathe her. Just get her wet and turn the water off. That way it's not as sloppy and messy.
2007-12-22 20:37:12 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dogs are warm-blooded mammals; are you starting off with warm water, so it doesn't come as a shock to her ?? We have a Pug, and when we bathe him, we use a hand held shower attachment with warm water (around 85 degrees fahrenheit) and he just stands still and tolerates the ordeal. We take a towel to dry him off, cause he doesn't like the blow dryer treatment.
2007-12-22 20:46:27 · answer #5 · answered by Corporate America !! 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gosh, why in the world are you washing your dog every two weeks? Once a month is the limit for most people.
If you make it a monthly thing, she may tolerate it more.
2007-12-22 20:37:20 · answer #6 · answered by galloping.greys 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
my mum used to have 1 of those,,,yehhhhhh they are hard to bathe,,she used to bathe it in the bathroom,,,very very luke warm water,,and then dry with a towel,,then give her a treat after the baths,,sort of a schmacho(treats),, i know she use to just introduce the pup to water,,ex put some water in the bath,,say 2inches of water,,,,let the pup get used to water,,dont bathe ,, bathe next day,,,,and the pup should get used to it,,yehhhh my mum use to have a small battle with her pup,,but over time she couldnt get the pup out,,i think the treats did the job really,,,,hoped this help,,
2007-12-22 20:49:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
u need to check if the water is right for her. shihtzus are long haired dogs. they need colder water than other dogs. and dry your dog in cold breeze
2007-12-22 21:31:08 · answer #8 · answered by Shooter 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋