Reducing bathing anxiety

[KyHeart]

My border collie absolutly hates baths. It generally takes too people to give her a bath. She freaks out and will try with all her might to get away. I bathe her in the house with luke warm water. Thanks

[crazy_for_corgis]

My advice would be to take it slow. It's probably best to get the water in the tub first, adn then bring your dog in so the gushing sound of it doesn't intimidate him. Just close the bathroom door and let him sniff around and sniff the tub then dip ur hadn in and show it to him and let him lick the water and just stay calm with it. I don't know how much I helped but good luck with it all.

[Moo]

There's a thread in this forum "Avoiding a War in the Bathtub" in this forum, a few threads down. There were alot of helpful ideas shared.

[KyHeart]

aren't I? lol Thanks!

[Ken Nielsen]

Easy does it with puppies,or even if your dog is a little older. They are just getting used to the world, and everything is new. Make if fun, not pushing. If two people are needed, don't do it, is my advice. First impressions at the bathtub will last a lifetime. Better not to bathe if you can simply have your puppy go up to the bathtub and see you having fun swishing your hand around in the water and let her walk away - no bath required. Mine went for this, thought it looked like fun, didn't want to be left out, and now she wants in the tub whether there is water in it or not, because she associates it with a 'fun time.'

[HuNTseAT123]

well just make sure the water is nice and warm and afterwords shower your dog with lots of treats and love. thats what we do with my dog atleast!

[Trace]

My BC hates baths also - but I do mine outside in the summer with the hose - always have done. He tolerates it now. It used to be a ritual - bathe the horse, and then the 2 BC's (I had two then ) - all in the washstall at the barn.

He does the absolute worst at those DIY grooming places - he goes bezerk when I do them there.

So sorry - no helpful hints. Just comiseration really.

[eXile]

Putting water in before hand is a bad idea i would say. When the dog sees it you bet she will be off. Your best bet would be to get a shower pick. Reason for this is because picks arent noisy at all. So the dog wont be as scared. Calmy stroke her and tell shes a good girl for not showing any signs of fear. May i ask how many times a month you bath her?

[JohnAndTim]

I have the best luck when I completely exhaust Scooter before I plop him in the tub. I usually take him for a long walk, or to the park, then he is yawning in the tub and isn't so frisky.

Just an idea...
John