Dog is so scared of water!!

[Iris]

Hello everyone.
My one year old Cavalier King Charles girl hates taking a bath.She totally freaks out whenever she sees water!She turns into a little monster and jumps around like crazy.Even with two people it`s hard to give her a bath.What can I do to calm her down and make her realize that she doesn`t have to be so scared?

[Dax]

The more you force her - the more she'll fight.

I had a shepard who wouldn't even come upstairs when it was bath day and had to be carried.

Try a kiddy pool and make a game of it by throwing in a ball - go in with her. I bought one for dogs (TOUGH PLASTIC) for under $10. If she doesn't feel she has no choice she might be more managable.

[sander]

Some dogs are just really scared of water. You need to make this a really good experience for her. You could try filling up the tub and getting in with her. Giving her a favorite treat when she's in the tub. (something that she really really likes) Try just bathing her back end and leaving her front end for a few baths and see if that makes a difference. Deffinitely make a big fuss over her after she's bathed, tell her how beautiful she looks, and play with her. These are all positive reinforcements. Just keep in mind that bathing is something that she will require, so she must learn to enjoy it.

Best of luck Sander