Uh Oh, It's bath time...

United States
January 8, 2011 2:44pm CST
I'm sitting here trying to get caught up on MyLot and my daughter is giving our dogs a bath. I hear her talking to the jack russell mix. He's not real fond of his bath time. She's talking baby talk to him and telling him what a handsom little man he is. A lot of cooing and awwing coming from behind that door. I hear a lot of banging and loud commands of wait, don't do that, now, as she is finishing up and trying to get him in his towel. Lots of laughter now, she has come out in hysterical laughter... seems that little P.D. is trying to dry himself, as all dogs do, by shaking his little body... but he's shaking so hard that his back feet have come up off the floor and he is standing there on only his front feet. The little pomeranian chihuahua mix has already had her bath. She is was very cooperative today. She knew she was dirty and was quite pleased to stand still and enjoy her bath. The only one left now is the blue heeler border collie mix. From past experience we know that she will not go willingly to the bath. She is big enough to cause harm if you are not quick about it. Today it seems that she has had her way and there will be no tub bath. Maybe a wash cloth bath? I don't know... the final decision has not been made. How do you handle bath time for the doggies? Share some of you stories and tips with us...
6 responses
newsarnaranjo
@newsarnaranjo (2)
• Philippines
12 Jan 11
Well, my dog is really too small to compare to that kind of dog. I don't really know how to handle dogs that big, but i've always wanted one. When i bathe my dog, i always make sure that there's something big enough to block his way out of the bathroom. He keeps running around the room, though. But it's okay with me, i like following him around with some water to pour on him. And after he's all washed up, i just lock him in inside the room so that he can stay there for about an hour and get dry himself. I don't really like drying him with towel.
commonground
@commonground (367)
• United States
12 Jan 11
Hi, newsarnaranjo. We always keep the bathroom door closed while bathing any of the dogs. They would certainly take off running if they had the chance. Thanks for your response.
commonground
@commonground (367)
• United States
19 Jan 11
Thanks, skinpro, for the info on the bath mitt and the dry shampoo. They both sound like products I could use. And I had never heard of poshpuppyboutique, I'll check them out for sure.
skinpro321
@skinpro321 (26)
• United States
15 Jan 11
my 2 doggies aren't to fond of bath time either but I recently bought a bath mitt and dry shampoo to help me. The bath mitt allows me to get underneath the dogs and will help me avoid getting water in their eyes and ears. The mitt connects to the shower head and has an on off switch (this also saves on water) You can hold the mitt right against their fur and it really gets all the shampoo out. The dry shampoo just sprays on them in between bath to make them smell good and gets dirt off. They make all natural ones. I never found it necessary to buy ear cleaner. I gently use a dry q-tip to remove dirt. If necessary I use a wet q-tip them a dry one after to really get a good cleaning. I do that once a month. I bought the bath mitt and dry shampoo from poshpuppyboutique.com but I'm sure they have them other places as well. Woof-Ah Adjustable Bath Mitt Dry Dog Instant Clean
elysiamarie
@elysiamarie (147)
• Canada
19 Jan 11
Unfortunately for me, I am allergic to most animals, and a huge animal lover. So, I either have hypoallergenic pets, or they get bathed a lot. Luckily, the only pet I have that I'm allergic to is our three legged Chihuahua, Lily. Instead of bathing her daily, we have purchased an all natural spray that you can spray on the dog, and then wipe off. This also deodorizes the dog at the same time. So in between baths, Lily uses the spray. This is done cause bathing a dog too often is bad for their skin.
commonground
@commonground (367)
• United States
19 Jan 11
I know how you feel. I am allergic to cats and have just discovered that I am probably allergic to the dogs also. My daughter has a cat but he lives outside, thank goodness. We have three dogs and they are just every where thy want to be. One of my docs said I should try to keep at least my bedroom dog free so I can get some relief. Says to make it an allergy free room...humpf! I don't think he has pets in his house. If he did he would know what my other doc says... you just can't separate people from their pets! So, what's a hypoallergenic pet? Do they really make those? I'm going to have to see about that spray you mentioned, it would help a lot.
maximax8
@maximax8 (31046)
• United Kingdom
17 Jan 11
I have two miniature poodles called Secret and Magic. We used to live in a house and there Magic willingly had a bath buy Secret didn't want to come into the bathroom. He felt very scared indeed though when he rolled in fox mess on a walk a bath at home was essential. I used a non slip mat in the bath and an old towel to dry him.
commonground
@commonground (367)
• United States
19 Jan 11
Well, I think I just figured something out... we always take the mat out of the tub before bathing the dogs to save it from getting too dirty and maybe getting ripped from doggie toenails. I bet they would enjoy their baths more if they weren't slipping around in the tub, lol. I guess we should try leaving it in and see how it goes. We do have old towels that we use just for the dogs. We have doggie towels, doggie sheets, doggie wash cloths... whatever gets used on the dogs then becomes theirs. I used to have some really nice throw rugs... now they are doggie rugs ;)
lologirl2021 (Holly)
@lologirl2021 (5542)
• United States
8 Jan 11
Well i dont know if my dog likes his bath o rnot or jujst seems to put up with it but next weekend is his bath time and he is really due fo rit. We do it about every three weeks because he goes out side and will roll around in the grass and come in with grass and dirt stuck to him and then by the third week hes a pretty dirt boy even though he ohnly weighs 12 pounds. You also have some small dogs on your hand and they really are family friendly dogs that love to be wtih people and just have a lot of fun being around family. I just stick my dog in my bath tub and wash him down and then i have him shake in the tub a couple times before i take him out and then i towel dry him off as good as possible and then he will run around inside and try drying himself off more by rubbing around on the rugs around the house.
commonground
@commonground (367)
• United States
10 Jan 11
Yeah, they really do like rolling around in the dirt, don't they. I hate it when they find something really stinky and they think they have to roll in it to keep the smell with them. We bath ours in the tub also. Sometimes the kitchen sink, two of them are small enough for that if a quick wash is needed. They really do love drying time, that little bit of extra attention. Thanks for sharing.
inu1711
@inu1711 (5285)
• Romania
11 Jan 11
I think Binne likes her baths, at least until we have to wash her ears and muzzle. Then she protest a little, but she still keeps her tail up and this is a sign she's not bothered at all. I wanted to make her enjoy her baths from her first days in our home. I bought a special shampoo for babies, safe for the eyes. I like the most the way she tries to dry herself after I wipe her with towels. She rolls on the carpet back and forth, she tries to run (but she has no space as she's a big dog in a small house) and she finaly rolls over her back and falls asleep like this.
commonground
@commonground (367)
• United States
12 Jan 11
I also have problems doing the ears and the muzzle. I think no dogs like that part of the bath. It's a hard thing to try to get the face and the ears clean without getting water in the ears or getting soap in the eyes. I hadn't thought to use baby shampoo. I always use flea and tick shampoo. I do believe they all like rolling and rubbing around on the carpet to dry themselves. That also seems to be the time that mine feel like they just have to go outside, but we don't let them until they are dry.
joystick
@joystick (1675)
•
8 Jan 11
Bathing dogs is a big job, if you are a person that happens to have a large dog like a lab, mine hate a bath.You have to try to lift her in the bath as she is not a willing dog when it comes to water.However there is never a problem getting her out of the bath as she is the one who can jump out with no trouble.Mind you there has to be a large towel so you can throw it over her as soon as she has got out.
commonground
@commonground (367)
• United States
10 Jan 11
Hi, joystick. We have a hard time with our one big dog. Dhe's very sweet and gentle... until it comes to bath time. She's really too much to handle then. We're going to have to try to find a different solution, maybe a groomer or the vet next time. Our little jack russell mix is very quick and will try to leap out of the tub before the bath is finished. That calls for some quick thinking, grabbing him by the leg, as he is on his way out is what we usually have to do. We have to be careful not to bath them too often and wash away the protective oils on their skin. Thanks for joining in.