Need Help....bath time - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Jaspersmommie · 01-11-2009, 11:36 PM

So Jasper is 6 months old and i have given him a bath a week since i got him (3 weeks ago).... He DOES NOT like bath time! I cant hold him still, he wiggles and fights and climbs out of the doggy bath tub we have. I'm so scared of hurting him, I have to call my grandfather in to help me, and he usually ends up doing it for me. I dont at all like not being able to bathe my pup! But I dont have the strength to hold him! For such a tiny dog, he's quite strong! I also cannot afford to take him to a groomer to get bathed! I really need some help here! Is there anything you can suggest???

QuickSilver · 01-11-2009, 11:46 PM

If it's any consolation, Thor hates bath time too. I thought I was going to luck out on that too, because he wanted to take a shower with me a few times, and I figured, hey, short road from a group shower to a nice bath. I'm lucky in that Thor is too small to jump out of the tub, or fight me too hard. I can't imagine how people with stronger dogs manage to brush their teeth.

Anyway, I don't have much to suggest, except that someone else here heats up the towels used to dry the dog. That does seem to help in the aftermath. If you microwave a towel for 45 seconds, it's nice and toasty, the perfect thing for an angry wet dog to roll around in.

Oh, forgot to mention one other suggestion for making his bathtimes easier - make them less frequent. You don't want to overbathe your dog. I think two weeks is standard. It's a bit of a struggle for me because they use this fish fertilizer on the grass in Thor's favorite park and he REEKS of day old fish afterwards. And I take him to that park a few times a week. I haven't figured out the right balance there.

Jaspersmommie · 01-11-2009, 11:52 PM

Oh no. I may try the big tub, when i get a bath. It does help to know that im not alone in this problem! He is only 4 1/2 pounds and yet fights with all his might! I will definately warm the towels for him next bath time.

means143 · 01-12-2009, 01:23 AM

My baby hates bath time too!

I have bathed her atleast 16 times and she hates it even more!

She tries so hard to get out and i got scratches everywhere!

She particularly hates getting her face rinsed... but how can I do it quickly and gently is she won't keep still?

I hope we can work it out soon... any tips?

altigger74 · 01-12-2009, 05:13 AM

Try bathing in the bathtub so your baby can't get out. Gracie used to horrible with baths, it was a fight everytime. I finally got to the point where when she would start to move around too much and get freaked I would scruff her and hold her like that for a few seconds then let her go and when she would do it again I'd scruff her again. It took a few times and then with each bath it would take less and less times to do that but she now stands perfectly in the bath for me.

Hokule'a · 01-12-2009, 05:20 AM

My female, Hoku, hated baths also and would fight like crazy

I had to buy a grooming loop that has a suction cup on one end to attach to the wall of the shower/tub - that way I have two hands free. She does not struggle at all with it on so I don't worry about her hurting herself - just the simple act of slipping it over her head seems to calm her right down.

Dara311 · 01-12-2009, 12:45 PM

Fiona hates bath time as well. So i'm with you all on this! Where I live, I dont have a bath tub, i have a standing shower, so i have to put her in that, and use the extention on the hose. I went to petsmart the other day, and bought bath ties, for $12.00 and it was SO NICE AND EASY to bathe Fiona for the first time! It is 2 hooks on a half leash, with suction cups on it, so all you do is stick the cups to the wall/shower door, and attach it to her collar, and that way she cant move. so she had to sit the whole time! it was great!

stovesj · 01-12-2009, 12:55 PM

If you're not using one already use a bath mat with the suction cups on the bottom. It keeps them from slipping and makes them feel more secure. I bath Gracie, who is 10 pounds, in the kitchen sink and simply cut a bath mat to fit my sink and cut out a hole over the sink drain so the water would drain. My sink has a sprayer and when I rinse her head I turn the water pressure down low and wipe the water off her face so she doesn't feel like she's drowning. Treats help too!!!

Moses · 01-12-2009, 12:55 PM

My boy got used to it over time. I acutally give him a bathe when I am in the shower. This might help this way you don't have to pick him up if you don't want to. I give him a bath and then let the conditioner sit on him while I bathe...hehe.. It works out just fine.

Jaspersmommie · 01-12-2009, 01:19 PM

Thank you guys so much! I will go to pet smart tomorrow! Sounds like that may be the best bet...

Yorkiekids · 01-12-2009, 01:27 PM

Sometimes you have no alternative, but too take them in the shower with you.

chloesMama · 01-12-2009, 01:33 PM

I like the suggestion of the bathing /grooming leash . I Will have to get one..

My dogs do not like bath time either. I bath Chloe in the tub and she is way to small to jump out so I usually can handle her pretty well. I try to keep it very warm in the bathroom so she wont have extra stress.

My other dog is 12 lbs. and she could jump out she just hasn't figured that out yet

With her I found if I fill the tub a bit with warm water and put her in and let her relax a bit before I bath her it helps. I also put toys in the water and let her play like I would a child , though she rarely plays with them she does lay in the water and smack at them , and I think it takes her mind off the bath a bit. Then I bath her. She is usually pretty good now after she is in the tub , but they are both terrified before they actually get in.

nycyorkiemom · 01-12-2009, 01:36 PM

We treat him while bathing him so he is seeing it as a positive experience. My hubby and I bathe him together and keep it very quick. About five minutes. And also fill it up a few inches (not to the neck but just covering the legs) so that he can feel comfortable in the luke warm water (you know how cold it gets if you aren't in the water.)

Also we use the kitchen sink. We put a towel down in the sink to keep him from slipping. It helps him and us to be closer to eachother's level. And we keep a pitcher of luke warm water to help with the rinsing since he doesn't like the direct stream from the faucet.

fbmom · 01-12-2009, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moses

My boy got used to it over time. I acutally give him a bathe when I am in the shower. This might help this way you don't have to pick him up if you don't want to. I give him a bath and then let the conditioner sit on him while I bathe...hehe.. It works out just fine.

I do this too - it is very easy! I use an extension on the shower head, so I can rinse her well. When Daisy was a puppy, I held her, now she hops in with me and curls up at my feet - just waiting to get scrubbed!

I have to lock the door, or she'll scratch it open and hop in!

Jaspersmommie · 01-13-2009, 01:03 PM

Oh,thank you again! I will try to get him in the bath/shower with me tonight...I did not have the chance to get to pet smart todayso before i spend the money, i am goin to try the double bath way!

Also, does anyone know where i can find the day to day and ice to ice shampoo/conditioner??? Ive read they are great products!

01-11-2009, 11:36 PM	#1
Jaspersmommie Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Jackson, LA, United States Posts: 20 Blog Entries: 1	Need Help....bath time So Jasper is 6 months old and i have given him a bath a week since i got him (3 weeks ago).... He DOES NOT like bath time! I cant hold him still, he wiggles and fights and climbs out of the doggy bath tub we have. I'm so scared of hurting him, I have to call my grandfather in to help me, and he usually ends up doing it for me. I dont at all like not being able to bathe my pup! But I dont have the strength to hold him! For such a tiny dog, he's quite strong! I also cannot afford to take him to a groomer to get bathed! I really need some help here! Is there anything you can suggest???

01-11-2009, 11:46 PM	#2
QuickSilver Thor's Human Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 5,929 Blog Entries: 31	If it's any consolation, Thor hates bath time too. I thought I was going to luck out on that too, because he wanted to take a shower with me a few times, and I figured, hey, short road from a group shower to a nice bath. I'm lucky in that Thor is too small to jump out of the tub, or fight me too hard. I can't imagine how people with stronger dogs manage to brush their teeth. Anyway, I don't have much to suggest, except that someone else here heats up the towels used to dry the dog. That does seem to help in the aftermath. If you microwave a towel for 45 seconds, it's nice and toasty, the perfect thing for an angry wet dog to roll around in. Oh, forgot to mention one other suggestion for making his bathtimes easier - make them less frequent. You don't want to overbathe your dog. I think two weeks is standard. It's a bit of a struggle for me because they use this fish fertilizer on the grass in Thor's favorite park and he REEKS of day old fish afterwards. And I take him to that park a few times a week. I haven't figured out the right balance there. Last edited by QuickSilver; 01-11-2009 at 11:48 PM.

01-12-2009, 01:23 AM	#4
means143 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: My baby's heart Posts: 195	My baby hates bath time too! I have bathed her atleast 16 times and she hates it even more! She tries so hard to get out and i got scratches everywhere! She particularly hates getting her face rinsed... but how can I do it quickly and gently is she won't keep still? I hope we can work it out soon... any tips? __________________

01-12-2009, 05:13 AM	#5
altigger74 Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Alabama Posts: 1,523	Try bathing in the bathtub so your baby can't get out. Gracie used to horrible with baths, it was a fight everytime. I finally got to the point where when she would start to move around too much and get freaked I would scruff her and hold her like that for a few seconds then let her go and when she would do it again I'd scruff her again. It took a few times and then with each bath it would take less and less times to do that but she now stands perfectly in the bath for me. __________________ Mommy of Cody,Gracie,Bella,2labs,1cat, 2 skinkids one Angel Baby Boy 8/8/09 I carried you under my heart for 20 weeks and will carry you in my heart forever

01-12-2009, 05:20 AM	#6
Hokule'a Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 4,591	My female, Hoku, hated baths also and would fight like crazy I had to buy a grooming loop that has a suction cup on one end to attach to the wall of the shower/tub - that way I have two hands free. She does not struggle at all with it on so I don't worry about her hurting herself - just the simple act of slipping it over her head seems to calm her right down. __________________ Eva and her keikis: Hokule'a, Kalani & Pi'ilani

01-11-2009, 11:52 PM	#3
Jaspersmommie Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Jackson, LA, United States Posts: 20 Blog Entries: 1	Oh no. I may try the big tub, when i get a bath. It does help to know that im not alone in this problem! He is only 4 1/2 pounds and yet fights with all his might! I will definately warm the towels for him next bath time.

01-12-2009, 12:45 PM	#7
Dara311 YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Delaware Posts: 2,515	Fiona hates bath time as well. So i'm with you all on this! Where I live, I dont have a bath tub, i have a standing shower, so i have to put her in that, and use the extention on the hose. I went to petsmart the other day, and bought bath ties, for $12.00 and it was SO NICE AND EASY to bathe Fiona for the first time! It is 2 hooks on a half leash, with suction cups on it, so all you do is stick the cups to the wall/shower door, and attach it to her collar, and that way she cant move. so she had to sit the whole time! it was great! __________________ Mom to Fiona Marie

01-12-2009, 12:55 PM	#8
stovesj Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Kenmore, Washington Posts: 3,299	If you're not using one already use a bath mat with the suction cups on the bottom. It keeps them from slipping and makes them feel more secure. I bath Gracie, who is 10 pounds, in the kitchen sink and simply cut a bath mat to fit my sink and cut out a hole over the sink drain so the water would drain. My sink has a sprayer and when I rinse her head I turn the water pressure down low and wipe the water off her face so she doesn't feel like she's drowning. Treats help too!!! __________________ JoanneGracie and Izzy Wag More...Bark Less

01-12-2009, 12:55 PM	#9
Moses Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Morrisville, NC Posts: 1,184 Blog Entries: 1	My boy got used to it over time. I acutally give him a bathe when I am in the shower. This might help this way you don't have to pick him up if you don't want to. I give him a bath and then let the conditioner sit on him while I bathe...hehe.. It works out just fine. __________________ Nikki Moses Moses' Page Mommy lubs you very much!!

01-12-2009, 01:19 PM	#10
Jaspersmommie Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Jackson, LA, United States Posts: 20 Blog Entries: 1	Thank you guys so much! I will go to pet smart tomorrow! Sounds like that may be the best bet...

01-12-2009, 01:27 PM	#11
Yorkiekids Piper & Sebastian Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: florida Posts: 14,495	Sometimes you have no alternative, but too take them in the shower with you. __________________ Susan, Piper ,Harley & Suiki

01-12-2009, 01:33 PM	#12
chloesMama YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: here :) Posts: 1,182	I like the suggestion of the bathing /grooming leash . I Will have to get one.. My dogs do not like bath time either. I bath Chloe in the tub and she is way to small to jump out so I usually can handle her pretty well. I try to keep it very warm in the bathroom so she wont have extra stress. My other dog is 12 lbs. and she could jump out she just hasn't figured that out yet With her I found if I fill the tub a bit with warm water and put her in and let her relax a bit before I bath her it helps. I also put toys in the water and let her play like I would a child , though she rarely plays with them she does lay in the water and smack at them , and I think it takes her mind off the bath a bit. Then I bath her. She is usually pretty good now after she is in the tub , but they are both terrified before they actually get in. __________________ *Chloe & Sydney*

01-12-2009, 01:36 PM	#13
nycyorkiemom Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: new york, ny, usa Posts: 53	We treat him while bathing him so he is seeing it as a positive experience. My hubby and I bathe him together and keep it very quick. About five minutes. And also fill it up a few inches (not to the neck but just covering the legs) so that he can feel comfortable in the luke warm water (you know how cold it gets if you aren't in the water.) Also we use the kitchen sink. We put a towel down in the sink to keep him from slipping. It helps him and us to be closer to eachother's level. And we keep a pitcher of luke warm water to help with the rinsing since he doesn't like the direct stream from the faucet. Last edited by nycyorkiemom; 01-12-2009 at 01:38 PM.

01-13-2009, 01:03 PM	#15
Jaspersmommie Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Jackson, LA, United States Posts: 20 Blog Entries: 1	Oh,thank you again! I will try to get him in the bath/shower with me tonight...I did not have the chance to get to pet smart todayso before i spend the money, i am goin to try the double bath way! Also, does anyone know where i can find the day to day and ice to ice shampoo/conditioner??? Ive read they are great products! __________________ Proud Mommy of Jasper aka Peanut