Dog washing advice!

[Wcross]

It is a beautiful fall day, temps in the 70's, a perfect day to give the dogs a bath right? Angel and PD don't see it that way. I lured Buddy into the shower with cheese, he tolerated it to a degree- wasn't too happy about it.
Now, I couldn't get the two girls to get in the shower so I was going to do it outside with a hose. They won't have it.

These dogs were rescues from a neighbor who abandoned them after the house burned down. They have never been leashed or given a simple bath. How would you go about bathing the girls? Any good ideas?

[FlashHarry]

1. Do not tumble dry.

:hi:

[ablbodyed]

2. Nor dry them...

in the microwave, unless you're REALLY HUNGRY.

[madrchsod]

3. doggie downers...

ask your vet for advice. you don`t want to scare them with the bath thing. i use a very wet towel to get them used to being wet. i use alittle achohol and peroxide on the towel to kill some of the smell. good luck....

[truthseeker1]

4. Get in the shower WITH them

It's easier and saves your back. May make the dog less afraid too if you're right in there with her.

[MuseRider]

7. That is what I do

it is so much easier that way. You don't care if you get wet, you can soap yourself off after, no clothes to wash/dry afterwards. For the dogs it is much more comfortable, they are less creeped out by the experience since you are there participating, you know the water temp is OK and you are more likely to really scrub them good if you are not trying to not get wet. It is really kinda fun. My dogs are huge so it makes it much easier than trying to hang onto them while you wash.

on edit good for you with the rescue. Rescued dogs will always be so appreciative, the ones we have rescued would have died trying to protect us and it just feels so good to rescue them.

[Madrone]

12. Me too!

Ever since my puppy got too big to fit into the kitchen sink I've started putting him the shower WITH me. I wash and rinse him first, then myself - then he stays in the tub while I get out and dry off, after which I grab a towel and get him out. Works great, and he tolerates it very well. It helps that he has no issues with water - other than an overly enthusiastic love of it.

He actually had his first "real" bath a couple of weeks ago - alone, and in a tub of water. I was wondering how he'd tolerate it, but he was great. First, he was very excited by watching the water fill the tub. When I shut the water off I told him "get in" - thinking he would just give me the "Whatchu talkin' bout, Willis?" look - but nooooooo - he lept right up into the tub. Not a small feat, considering I have a claw foot tub with very high sides.

He looooves having his face rubbed with a towel afterwards, and does lots of "snuffling" into the towel when I am drying his head off.

When he was real little, back in the kitchen sink days, he would go to sleep wrapped in the towel afterwards. It was funny because I couldn't put him down, he wanted out of the water, wrapped in the towel, and then for me to hold him while he slept all bundled up.

:)

[trof]

13. Do the same thing, but in the back yard.

The neighbors get a real kick out of it every time.
;-)

[DBoon]

5. Our guy was a rescue

Despite being part Lab, hates water.

We had to leash him up, tie the leash to an outside railing, then begin washing.

He was terrified and tried to run away at first, but now he sort of tolerates it.

We attach the hose to an inside water faucet and use lukewarn water. That might make it easier.

We also praise him while washing him, and when we are done he gets a biscuit

[DuctapeFatwa]

6. Choose a swimsuit that is comfortable, and flattering to your body type

Be courteous. Invite the pupdog to smell different shampoos, and use the one HE likes.

Do the same with conditioner.

Make sure all products have "no more tears" properties, and test on yourself first to make sure.

[tridim]

8. My dog is strange

She's a Boston Terrier, and everything I've read says they hate the water. Not her, when I say "bath" she races up two flights of stairs and jumps into the tub within seconds. She likes the drain and will stick her head under the water to pull the plug out. It's so cute, she blows bubbles with her nose. :) Her favorite part of "bath" is getting dry in the towel. It's like a game for her.

It's probably harder for older dogs, but I made an effort to be very enthusiastic about bath time when she was a pup. It obviously worked. Make it fun for her, keep talking and say "good dog" alot, splash the water around, bring a toy into the tub and give her treats.

[MUAD_DIB]

9. Having had a dog for 16 years...

I have realized that they don't like baths.

Once you have given them a bath, unless they are on a line, they will go looking for the first mud puddle they can find.

The best advice that I can give you is either lure a friend over with a few beers or luch to help you (there's strenght in numbers when washing dogs) or have it done by a pro (they have their ways...and I am not privy to them)

One last thing...always use warm water. Be gentle.

[meow mix]

10. =)

people should take the doggies to professionals!
(plzzzz)

then you dont have to deal with it =)
and theyll get the full treatment...
hair,nails,pads,ears,anal gland(haha)

i always call that last one the dubya
"DID U CLEAN OUT HIS DUBYA?!?"

[Corgigal]

11. Do you have to do this yourself?

Depends on how long you have had these pups. I might drop them off at the doggie shampoo place where they get their first taste of this from a professional. I wouldn't want a new found friend to be scared of me this quickly.

[radfringe]

14. depends on the weather and if it's really needed

on cold days - it's the sink for the 9lb ratdog, and the shower for the 70lb airedale

on warm days - we do it outside, we drag out a platic pool, fill it with water in the morning, by mid afternoon it's warm

the airedale get's "tied up" in the pool by two leashes attached to trees - this limits her movement and prevents her from jumping out

wet her down with the pool water, soap her up and then use the garden hose to rinse her off

HOWEVER,this is only when it's really really needed - otherwise they both go to the groomer for bath, grooming, nail cutting, tooth brushing etc.

[Wcross]

15. SUCCESS!!!!!

Got the girls bathed! I had to do it today because later this week they are going to the vet. Was it needed? Uh, 7 years without a bath for buddy, Angel is roughly 4 and PD is less than two. I sat down with angel in the shower and she just did the dog hug thing, I was able to wash her without to much hassle. Of course all three are now outside rolling around on the grass trying to get the old smelly dog scent back!