More Help Please, lol. Bathtime is Torture!

[MorkieMomma]

Hi again!

It's 3am now (Bella had to have her mid-sleep teetee and poopy). She got back to sleep no problem but I'm the one with the insomnia.

In any case, I need help with bathtime. Our Brussels loves his bathtime, and gets all excited when he knows it's that time. He has always been this way, so when Bella reacted the way she did it freaked me out.

She squirms around like there is no tomorrow, whimpers and whines, throws her head round and round, and strains every muscle. Her breeders *did* include this in her information sheet and I'm thankful for that. They said "this puppy is not fond of bathing". Understatement of the century.

After her bath she continues to whimper and whine and vibrate like a wand massager...and this is *while* she is totally wrapped up in her fluffyduck towel. It's extremely thick, very soft, and warm.

We tried a hair dryer on very low setting to dry her off faster (so she'd be happy and comfy sooner) and the noise scared her to pieces so off it went.

I need help!!

She can't have flea prevention yet because she is too small (age is not the problem). The vet said to give her a bath once a week for now, in luke warm water and mild soap. We're not following his orders because she hates it so much and I don't want her resenting me for it!

...I can't just pretend bathtime doesn't exist forever. She's going to need bathed and groomed, etc. I've always been very good about making sure our Brussels is groomed and bathed on a regular basis (but not overly bathed, as that is harmful).

What can I do to help little Bella? I'm at a complete loss. I tried giving her treats *during* bathtime but she wouldn't take them. I tried bathing her *with* our Brussels so she could see that he wasn't freaking out, and was loving it, and calm. That didn't work, she just acted the same only huddled under his armpit. I tried singing to her, she just whimpered louder.

HAWLP!

She's been thoroughly examined by a vet for skin conditions that could possibly be causing this, and has none.

[chachi]

You need to do as your vet suggested and give her a bath once a week so she gets used to it. She wont resent you she just needs to get into the habit that bath time is okay. You need her to be okay with this also in case you want her to be groomed by a groomer. I warm up a towel in the dryer. To get her used to the blow dryer take her in the bathroom with you often and just turn on the dryer to get her used to the noise. Then turn it on for a few seconds on blow it on her for a min. Then gradually increase time. Some people like to use treats for incentives for things like this I didnt but I believe everyone has to find what works with their dog.

[mky]

I agree with chachit that you need to keep bathing her regularly and introduce the dryer as well (maybe have her nearby when you dry your own hair to start). I wanted to add to make sure you are careful about your attitude/emotions when you are bathing her. Stay calm and matter-of-fact. She will adjust faster if you are calm and have the attitude that everything is ok. Maybe after she is all dry do something she really likes, treats, walk, play ball, whatever she really goes crazy for so she can assosciate getting a bath with doing xyz.
I hope she learns to tolerate bath time quickly. I know it must be stressful for you knowing that it is so stressful for her.

[PartiMom]

I know this is a little over the top, but this is what I do: Friday nights are bath night for the most part. I throw on a bathing suit and fill up the tub. I have a ceramic heater going, and put Kiwi on my lap and use a cup to wet her. I wash her and then use the cup to rinse. I then put her in a fluffy towel and sit in front of the ceramic heater and dry her by combing and fluffing her hair. It takes a long time and boy do I get hot, but she actually likes it. I'll let her zoom around the bathroom every now and then, and she'll then bounce back into my lap for more fluffing and drying. I can't say the bath part is her favorite thing in the world, but she likes it a lot better than being bathed in the sink, and she really enjoys the whole drying part.

Good luck!

[kjc]

You need to be more specific.... are you putting her in standing water or do you give her a shower? Try the opposite, sometimes standing water can freak them out. If showering, experiment with the pressure, she may do better under a light spray, and play with the temperature too. Too warm or too cold is not good. And no water in the ears!

Tink hated the dryer, so I locked us in the bathroom and blew her dry as she ran around in circles. She finally got tired and stood still. And the whole time, I kept telling her how beautiful she was, how shiny and pretty her coat was looking.... I think my talking made a bigger difference to her than anything.

I also practice what I call 'Laugh Therapy' When they start to get on my nerves, I make a joke about it or tell her she is being silly, then I laugh about it. Like: OMG! Are you sure you're not part worm? You win the Squirmmy award of the year! Hehe! It keeps me from getting tense and upset, and helps to get her to relax.

And if I snag a hair , I always apologize. OMG! I'm so sorry! Did that hurt? Oh you poor baby!

Or do one part at a time. Okay, let me wash this foot. When you get it done... give a ton of praise.

Make it fun... you'll both end up enjoying it more. And lose the perfectionism... If you miss two feet this week, you'll get them next week. After a few fun bathtimes, you'll be doing her entirely with no problems.

[Joyce Adams]

I agree, keep bathing her and she will come around...they have to be kept clean and she will feel better clean. Good luck and I hope it all works out..

[gryhndnut]

Originally Posted by PartiMom

I know this is a little over the top, but this is what I do: Friday nights are bath night for the most part. I throw on a bathing suit and fill up the tub. I have a ceramic heater going, and put Kiwi on my lap and use a cup to wet her. I wash her and then use the cup to rinse.

Love it! This is great! Must be so cute!

[Teresa Ford]

I am smiling. My little rescue Gracie was 'crazy with fear' at bath time. I realized my sadness and pity were useless. I needed to make this something good. I got the bathroom very warm and ran a tub of warm bubbles. I got in the tub with her. She was much calmer. I shampooed her on my lap, and rinsed her with big plastic cups of warm tap water. That day was the turning point. She got better and better at being bathed. Now she is bathed in the big sink with a sprayer like the other Yorkies. I always wash their faces and heads with a wash cloth and only use the sprayer from the neck back. I hope all of our stories and feed back will help you.

[MorkieMomma]

Hello again,

I know this will sound extreme, but you all just saved my 'emotional crisis' and I cannot possibly thank you enough.

For those who asked about my attitude, of course I was very kind, and gentle and reassuring with her...but that didn't work.

After reading all of the posts here, I decided to make it a mommy-puppy type of scenerio. And....then forgot to post about it!

I hate baths, to me it's like I'm sitting in my own dirt. lol But, I love showers.

My husband and I warmed up the bathroom with a space heater we got at Wal-Mart. It was stifling in there to us humans, but Bella looked very comfy.

I got in the shower like I do every day, but had him hand her to me. I placed her on my chest and let the shower fall on her (on a spray setting). She didn't utter a peep at all!! She just laid there against my chest with her tiny little head rested near my collarbone. I soaped her up all over, turning her over once to reach her tummy. I then rinsed her off completely, put her conditioner in, and rinsed that out. She was FINE THE WHOLE TIME.

I then handed her to hubby who was waiting with her fluffyduck towel. Again she was fine.

I continued on with my own cleaning..lol..got out, and she actually wanted me instead of him!! (she always wants him when he's home, not me).

I was in tears of joy and had this bond with her that I can't explain. I've bonded with her well this past week, but this was something new and wonderful. It was a very special time for us. :cries again:

...we cannot have children so our pets are our babies, and this really gave that 'bathing with the baby' experience.

Thank you everyone, so very much for your help and advice!

It may not be what everyone would suggest doing, but that's okay. I enjoyed it, she seemed to enjoy it, and it was awesome.

I'm logging off now, as I hear that she is finally awake from her nap! ::runs to get Bella da puppy::

[143julz]

Originally Posted by MorkieMomma

Hello again,

I know this will sound extreme, but you all just saved my 'emotional crisis' and I cannot possibly thank you enough.

For those who asked about my attitude, of course I was very kind, and gentle and reassuring with her...but that didn't work.

After reading all of the posts here, I decided to make it a mommy-puppy type of scenerio. And....then forgot to post about it!

I hate baths, to me it's like I'm sitting in my own dirt. lol But, I love showers.

My husband and I warmed up the bathroom with a space heater we got at Wal-Mart. It was stifling in there to us humans, but Bella looked very comfy.

I got in the shower like I do every day, but had him hand her to me. I placed her on my chest and let the shower fall on her (on a spray setting). She didn't utter a peep at all!! She just laid there against my chest with her tiny little head rested near my collarbone. I soaped her up all over, turning her over once to reach her tummy. I then rinsed her off completely, put her conditioner in, and rinsed that out. She was FINE THE WHOLE TIME.

I then handed her to hubby who was waiting with her fluffyduck towel. Again she was fine.

I continued on with my own cleaning..lol..got out, and she actually wanted me instead of him!! (she always wants him when he's home, not me).

I was in tears of joy and had this bond with her that I can't explain. I've bonded with her well this past week, but this was something new and wonderful. It was a very special time for us. :cries again:

...we cannot have children so our pets are our babies, and this really gave that 'bathing with the baby' experience.

Thank you everyone, so very much for your help and advice!

It may not be what everyone would suggest doing, but that's okay. I enjoyed it, she seemed to enjoy it, and it was awesome.

I'm logging off now, as I hear that she is finally awake from her nap! ::runs to get Bella da puppy::

Glad you found a way to bathe her In the winter time i givemy two showers w/ me, kinda like what you said you and your DH did Summertime i bath them poolside

[KazzyK810]

Originally Posted by MorkieMomma

I got in the shower like I do every day, but had him hand her to me. I placed her on my chest and let the shower fall on her (on a spray setting). She didn't utter a peep at all!! She just laid there against my chest with her tiny little head rested near my collarbone. I soaped her up all over, turning her over once to reach her tummy. I then rinsed her off completely, put her conditioner in, and rinsed that out. She was FINE THE WHOLE TIME.

That's what I do with ZoE! She much prefers showering with me to having a bath. I still try to give her a bath every few weeks, where she's standing in the large kitchen sink, because I think she gets cleaned more thoroughly that way, but showers are her favourite.

[kjc]

So sweet...aking me teary eyed... so happy for you and Miss Bella!

[AmyD102]

Lola prefers showers with mommy as well