bathing
 

Fergie hates getting a bath. I give her treats during bath time I kiss her, nothing seems to make her like bath time. Any suggestions?

My little guy doesn't care for the bath routine much either. I would say he tolerates it at best. I give him lots of reassurance and tell him he's a very good boy in the bath but I'm not sure it makes much difference. I think just familiarity with it and doing it often gets them used to it. I'm not sure he will ever really like it. I do try to give baths on warm days so he dries faster and isn't as chilled. :)

I was watching a grooming TV show, and they said that the number 1 mistake dog owners do when bathing is the water is too hot. Water temperature should be no more than 100 degrees and puppies feel the heat much more intensely than humans. I always test the water with my forearm and ere on the side of coolness. How old is Fergie? It just might take him some time to get use to it. I alway use a blow dryer on him.

My boys weren't crazy about baths in the beginning, but they seem to enjoy them a bit more now. I usually wait until they are kinda tired, and then I massage them and get them all relaxed, and then I bathe them. They seem much more relaxed and stay really still for me. Try to keep reassuring him during the bath, telling him he's a good boy, etc. Good luck!

Oh boy...zoey is almost nine months and she still doesn't care much for them. I have to hold her with one hand and bathe her with the other. She also kind of stands up in the sink with her paws on the counter top...never sits or stands directly in the sink. Drives me bonkers but I do it anyhow. You would think that after getting a bath ever week since I got her in January she would realize they are non-negotiable...lol. Her sister Lulu was the same...never out grew it either.

The only thing I can suggest is to persist and hope she calms down. I do bribe the hell out of her after the bath. A groomer recommended putting a dab of peanut butter on the side of the tub or sink to keep them occupied.

That is exactly what my lil pup does....stands and trys to get out of the sink while I hold him with one hand and bathe him with the other. He really doesn't like bath time. Then he runs around at Jet Speed while I give him a break to shake during the towel time. And then the chase is on.....he doesn't want me to dry him off either. Run Derby Run!!! Ha! :doghop:

Callie stays calm when she hears my voice durning a bath so i talk to her and sing silly songs to her and she does really good.

Don't laugh - Daisy takes showers with me. When she was a puppy, I'd hold her on my shoulder with her face away from the spray, lather her, rinse, then I'd wash her face with a damp cloth after getting out.

She loves to take a shower with me now - and I don't have to hold her.

I love that idea....I'm going to have to give that a try.:thumbup:

Bathing the babies
 

When I bath Harley and Sophia, I always bath them in the bathtub!! I always use a nice thick rubber mat on the bottom of the tub so that they dont slip. Harley will just stand and let me bath him. He loves a bath.
I make very sure not to get water in his ears or on his face. I wash his face with a warm soapy washcloth and rinse it the same way after the bath is all done.

Oh, and I should say that my husband is their with me and talking to them and holding when necessary and reasuring them.

I use a rubber hose shower thing to bath them with. It is warm continually with no in between getting the cup full. And the bathtub is empty, with them just standing on a bathmat. I also use a space heater in the bathroom if it is cold out and leave it on till I am done bathing. Then I unplug it and plug in the hair dryer.

I always towel dry him while he is standing on a thick bath towel, then I use the hairdryer on him afterwards. I always keep my hand in the same place that I am drying his coat so I can feel how hot the heat is. I hold the dryer almost a full arm legnth from him so it does not burn him. And I do not dry his face. He does not like the air in his eyes. lol

When he is almost dry, I brush him then comb him and he is off, like everyone knows he rips around so much it is crazy. I love to see him feel so good and be so happy!!!!!!

Durring the brushing and combing he gets lots of treats. I would say at least 8 or 10. Just little bitty treats but a treat none the less. He loves bath time. LOL:animal-pa

I hope this helps you some. I am still getting used to taking care of them myself. Harley is 6 mos and Sophia is about 4 months.
Sophia does not like a bath, I am still working on her. LOL