So how do you give your dog a bath????

[Wally & Reub]

For me the answer is treats, treats and more treats. Neither of my boys liked baths (showers actually) at first and Wally was just petrified of the tub but now both will hop right in and while they don't love the bath part they gladly tolerate it for the treats.
I get in the tub, bring in a whole box of treats and call whichever one goes first into the tub in an excited tone - holding a treat out so they have to jump into the tub to get it. Once they're in keep up the praise and treats, close the shower curtain and turn on the shower. I try to make it fast and punctuate often with treats all the while saying "What a good boy!" & "Heeeee's a good boy".

 

[LuvMyPuppy]

When we first got Charlie he ahd a bad allergic skin reaction & we got prescriberd to take 2 baths a week with his special shampoo. The noise of a shower was too scary for him, he had no interest there...as a matter of fact running water isn't something he likes unless he gets to drink it. So I run the water (warm) and prepare everything before he is notified about the bath.

At 8 weeks I used one of those disposable plastic bowls (they float) in the bath & my hubby threw small treats in the bowl every couple of seconds.

Then at 10 weeks, he started putting his paws up on the tub & sniffing for snacks any time I was in the bath. (I didn't want to crate him while I was in the shower, so I would just leave the door open & he would sit at the door & look at me like I was crazy.) I started putting my swim suit on & sitting in the tub with him during bath time....this made it so much easier, he seemed really calm once I started going in too. At that point we had puppy class, so I would pull a couple "sits" in the tub (he'll put his buns in the water REALLY slowly staring down the treat). I didn't have to use the floating bowl any more I just had a small pile of snacks near me where he couldn't reach or really see.

**tip if you do decide to sit in with him, sit near the drain & faucet...that way he can't accidently step on it & drain the water (the noise freaked Charlie out). & if you can find a hook up for your tub for a hand held rinser faucet it be much easier to get the soap off than a bowl of water or even aiming the shower head.

 

[Melissa79]

Ahhh Bathtime....Boomer loves to swim, loves the beach more than anywhere but baths? NO WAY!!! It take my BF and I to wash hime and dry him. Then he avoids eye contact for the rest of the night. Oh the guilt. I was taking him to petsmart but the last time we were there shopping we walked by the grooming center and he spazzed and tried to run away. So hes not going there anymore. I'll suffer through the bruises and scrapes of bathtime.

 

[RonaldMM]

Shower

Drake loves to run into the shower every time he hears it running. If the bathroom door is left open, you can be assured he's gonna take a shower!