Bath time

[IcePrincesss17]

I need help. Usually when we give Zander a bath, my boyfriend is home to help me get him into the tub. Well, today, I'm home alone and Zander REALLY needs a bath he was out rolling in the dirt and he's just stinky and dirty. I tried giving him a bath first(before Rosco), tempting him into the tub with treats, trying to pick him up, which isn't an easy task as he's pushing 100lbs. I think he's scared to get into the tub b/c the last time he had a bath was a few months ago, but he was still sore from his accident, and I think he's scared of going in and possibly slipping.

When I was bathing Rosco, Zander came in and was pushing his nose under my arm to check out what was going on. He usually LOVES having a bath, but I think he's scared of getting into the tub. So I tried getting him in front of the tub so that I could lift his front half into the tub and put his feet in, then lift his rump, but he won't let me.

How does anyone else get a big dog into the tub who doesn't want to get in?! I don't want to force him to do something he doesn't want to do, but he is so stinky and so dirty and I want him clean before we put his next dosage of flea/tick meds on. Any suggestions?!

 

[MomOf7]

This is going to sound mean but its practicle.
If I have a dog too heavy or too strong and it doesnt want a bath in the tub....Time for the hose and a bucket of warm water.

 

[moxiegrl]

Mom- I do the same thing...Katie outgrew the tub. She escaped twice on me the last time I tried the tub, and Im pregnant so fighting to keep her in the tub isnt the best thing to do...she gets the hose now. (I live in FL so she's nice and warm)

 

[MyIrishWolfie]

I wrap a towel around Binn and pick him that way. That way his limbs are cocooned in the towel and wont frail around when I pick him up. I usually put his 2 front legs in and then his back legs follow. Hope the towel thing helps. Good Luck!!

 

[J's crew]

This is going to sound mean but its practicle.
If I have a dog too heavy or too strong and it doesnt want a bath in the tub....Time for the hose and a bucket of warm water.

It doesn't sound mean to me.

The only time my dogs gets a bath in a bath tub is in the winter. Otherwise it is outside with the hose.

I let them get all worked up and hot from playing and then they get a nice cool down from the hose.

 

[LabDad]

You may have identified your problem, slipping in a slick tub. Dogs feel very insecure when they are on a slick shiny surface. I always place a large beach towel in the tub before I bathe my boys. In the summer I do the hose on the back deck for Duke but Freckles has this fear of the hose that I still have not solved so it's the tub for him.
I would have thought the two step approach would have worked but if you can't get the front end into the tub then the rear won't follow.
Try placing a dark towel on the bottom of the tub. Maybe that will ease his fear.

 

[Brattina88]

I put a towel or mat in the bottom of the tub so my big dogs isn't afraid to get in. I then throw her ball in the tub after a good game of fetch, or sometimes I throw a chunk of raw meat in there and let her eat it before I start the bath
HTH

 

[LabBreeder]

I don't have a problem with mine, but you could either get the hose and warm water after them or put a non skid matt in the tub and let him get in on his own and check it out. Put a treat or toy in there, show it to him and walk out (but keep an eye on him) and see if he gets in on his own.

 

[Aussie Red]

I have a fitting that screws onto my sink to attach the hose to the sink and use a childs swiming pool in the driveway. That way I have warm water and Allie thinks it's playtime since that is their pool. (* NOTE *) be prepared to get wet .
Allie Girl does not care for the inside tub but Whiskey loves it so I had to get creative. This works for me. The fitting can be purchased at home depot or a fish store for a couple of dollars and your garden hose will attach to your faucet so you can run warm water for your pet. I just run hose out back door
.

 

[Gempress]

I'm all for the hose. I hate having to clean up the mess of dog hair in my tub. Just use a spray nozzle attachment that you can get at any lawn/garden store. Make sure it has a "shower" setting. I can bathe my two dogs outside in less time than it takes me to assemble the bathing supplies. No mess, no fuss.

 

[IcePrincesss17]

Thanks for all the advice. Mom, you didn't sound mean at all and it's a very good suggestion, if he wasn't afraid of the hose. I tried last summer using the hose on him, and he just doesn't have it. I don't know if it's because the water is too cold or what, but he wasn't keen on the hose. Aussie, that's a great idea about the attachment that fits onto the sink...I think I'll get one and see if he's keen on the hose if warm water is coming out.

The non slip mat is a good idea, I don't know why I never thought of that before either.

But, on a good note, he had his bath. I threw some toys into the tub and he walked in, stuck his snout over the side of the tub, looked at the toys, put one foot on the tub and looked up at me. I helped him get his front end over the side of the tub, into the water, and he lifted his one back leg, and I helped hoist him into the tub.

He had a great bath. He enjoyed it and it was probably one of the best baths he's had! No more stinky dog.

Thanks everyone for all of your helpful suggestions, I will definetly keep them in mind the next time it's bathtime!!!