How do you get them to like bath time? - Page 2 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Britster · 01-27-2010, 10:52 AM

Jackson likes water (he loves swimming in pools, lakes, etc) but he's never been big on the bath. He's gotten so good though, he now just tolerates it. I just give him extra yummy treats (like a bit of cheese, or chicken, or hot dog) and give them in small pieces. He gets one once while brushing him, once while in the tub, and once when he gets out. Then he runs around the house like a crazy man!

sherile · 01-27-2010, 03:41 PM

Isabel and Moses tolerate baths, but they love the hair dryer. Isabel turns her back to me and backs up so she is right between my legs. Moses sits a little way away just as tall as he can and just turns his head from side to side to enjoy the heat. Then it's animal cracker time. I only give them animal crackers after their bath, so they know it's a special treat.

chattiesmom · 01-27-2010, 04:02 PM

Rub-a-dub-dub, Chizzie plays ball in the tub. It was an easy thing to get Chizzie to love baths -- I made it a game.

YouTube - Rub a Dub Dub Play Fetch in the Tub

If there is something that your babies REALLY REALLY love, then save it for a special bathtime treat. It could be a game of fetch like with Chizzie, or a special treat. It may take a while to associate bath with good things.....

Nancy1999 · 01-27-2010, 04:29 PM

You've gotten lots of great advice; I think the secret is to make them feel safe. We use a plastic tub in the sink, so that he doesn't slip around, and I make sure that the water is not too hot, this is the mistake most people make. Test water on the inside of your arm and error on the cool side, puppies, especially, can't tolerate hot water. All it takes is a few bad experiences to make them anxious at bath time. I too warm the bath towel, and I found a hair dryer that is really quiet. After Joey gets out of the tub I wrap him head to toe in a warm towel and he lies for several minutes on the padded counter without moving a muscle. I'm sure he enjoys that part. Make the first few baths go smoothly, it's more about getting them use to grooming then doing a great job of it at first. I also use to use cheerios during the drying out process, and this helped him get use to the hair dryer.

tarczely · 01-27-2010, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasmineNoelle

Jasmine is small, so I give her bath in the kitchen sink. I think this helps because she feels safer in it then the "big tub" (more her size). I always stay to the same routine, lather body, legs, head, rinse.(spray nozzle)...then conditioner...rinse. Done and in Mommies arms. All in all it only takes about 4 minutes. I think sticking to a routine helps and staying very calm. Jasmine really likes her bath now. She loves a good massage and when I put the blow dryer down on the vanity with a towel close by she is in heaven. Lol....Have a Great day!

mine loves bath time, drives me crazy when I try to take a bath if he were any bigger he would jump in cause he jumps up and looks over the edge then steals my wash cloth. to funny, however, he usually gets his bath in the bathroom sink take all of 5 min. and he gets lots of your a good boy! and then wrapped up and kissys....

mizzwanned · 01-28-2010, 07:46 PM

So the trick is giving lots of treats then? Ok i'll try that!

mizzwanned · 01-28-2010, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chattiesmom

Rub-a-dub-dub, Chizzie plays ball in the tub. It was an easy thing to get Chizzie to love baths -- I made it a game.

YouTube - Rub a Dub Dub Play Fetch in the Tub

If there is something that your babies REALLY REALLY love, then save it for a special bathtime treat. It could be a game of fetch like with Chizzie, or a special treat. It may take a while to associate bath with good things.....

I love it! Thanks!

JMuedog · 01-28-2010, 07:55 PM

Finnigan was terrified of bath time, but after I had taught him tricks as a puppy I used bath time to make him focus on tricks rather than the water. I'd have him sit and praise him for sitting in the water.

I'd also talk very calmly/soothingly at bath time, because as soon as I'd start running the water he'd start getting anxious. I praise him throughout the bath anytime he is calm and he always gets a treat after bath time.

I also noticed he did much better the warmer the water was. I have to run HOT baths for him and he does soo much better... he's always hated getting cold, so I think that made a big difference.

He still doesn't enjoy bath time, but he tolerates it much better now.

01-27-2010, 10:52 AM	#16
Britster Action Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 17,815	Jackson likes water (he loves swimming in pools, lakes, etc) but he's never been big on the bath. He's gotten so good though, he now just tolerates it. I just give him extra yummy treats (like a bit of cheese, or chicken, or hot dog) and give them in small pieces. He gets one once while brushing him, once while in the tub, and once when he gets out. Then he runs around the house like a crazy man! __________________ ~ Brit & Lights! Camera! Jackson! CGC ETD TKP ~ Follow Jackson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jacksontheterrier

01-27-2010, 04:29 PM	#19
Nancy1999 I ♥ Joey & Ralphie! Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 25,396 Blog Entries: 2	You've gotten lots of great advice; I think the secret is to make them feel safe. We use a plastic tub in the sink, so that he doesn't slip around, and I make sure that the water is not too hot, this is the mistake most people make. Test water on the inside of your arm and error on the cool side, puppies, especially, can't tolerate hot water. All it takes is a few bad experiences to make them anxious at bath time. I too warm the bath towel, and I found a hair dryer that is really quiet. After Joey gets out of the tub I wrap him head to toe in a warm towel and he lies for several minutes on the padded counter without moving a muscle. I'm sure he enjoys that part. Make the first few baths go smoothly, it's more about getting them use to grooming then doing a great job of it at first. I also use to use cheerios during the drying out process, and this helped him get use to the hair dryer. __________________ NancyJoey Proud members of the CrAzYcLuB and YAP! ** Just Say No to Puppymills – Join YAP! Yorkshire Terrier Club of America – Breeder Referrals

01-28-2010, 07:46 PM	#21
mizzwanned Donating YT 11K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: new york Posts: 14,007 Blog Entries: 2	So the trick is giving lots of treats then? Ok i'll try that! __________________ Primrose, Teddy..RIP, Livie..RIP, And can never forget my duo Sophie and London, Run in Peace <3

01-28-2010, 07:55 PM	#23
JMuedog Love My Little Cuties Donating Member Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Charleston, IL Posts: 9,899	Finnigan was terrified of bath time, but after I had taught him tricks as a puppy I used bath time to make him focus on tricks rather than the water. I'd have him sit and praise him for sitting in the water. I'd also talk very calmly/soothingly at bath time, because as soon as I'd start running the water he'd start getting anxious. I praise him throughout the bath anytime he is calm and he always gets a treat after bath time. I also noticed he did much better the warmer the water was. I have to run HOT baths for him and he does soo much better... he's always hated getting cold, so I think that made a big difference. He still doesn't enjoy bath time, but he tolerates it much better now. __________________ Jenni Finnigan & Gwenndilyn Forever in my heart

01-27-2010, 03:41 PM	#17
sherile Yorkie Yakker Join Date: May 2009 Location: Pewee Valley, KY Posts: 48	Isabel and Moses tolerate baths, but they love the hair dryer. Isabel turns her back to me and backs up so she is right between my legs. Moses sits a little way away just as tall as he can and just turns his head from side to side to enjoy the heat. Then it's animal cracker time. I only give them animal crackers after their bath, so they know it's a special treat.