A bath for my lab

[punter]

How do I do this? He stinks after swimming in ponds and I am beginning to smell like him as well due to cuddles on the sofa! Tried to get him in the bath tonight but he is too heavy and despite loving water he was not keen. Any suggestions?

[CMOTDibbler]

We just use two of us to put the dog in the bath, then one holds his collar while the other does the washing. Its either that or the mobile dog wash, but hauling him into the bath is cheaper

[ruby1234]

A friend of ours who is a plumber has fitted an outside hot tap - they just rinse off their stinky dog outside with a hose from the hot tap and towel him off before he comes inside.

Sounds very tempting to get one of those, my labX loves to roll in stinky things.

[tabulahrasa]

I've never owned a dog that liked baths, even the ones that loved all other water.

Train him to jump in the bath when you're not actually wanting to wash him, then either use the shower or add some water after he'll do that.

Lift him him front end and then back end. (what I have to do with mine because he's not allowed to jump)

Or, use a hose outside.

[Lilcamper]

My lab is 2, he has had one bath in his life and that is because he pooed in his crate on the way home from his breeder, he doesn't smell and is a typical lab boy that gets into mucky water at every available opportunity. You can buy spray on leave in shampoo for them.

[Perihelion]

Use a rubber mat in the bottom of the bath to make it less slippy. Have plenty of towels ready.

[Chopsypie]

Do you know anyone with a shower cubicle? We put a big towel on the floor so it's not slippery, and tempt ours in with a treat. Then turn the water on and close the door!

He doesn't enjoy it, but accepts it.

Or can afford to send him to a groomers? They will usually have washing facilities.

[punter]

Thanks for replies - I shall try the shower cubicle idea but I suspect i will only get him once!

[Chopsypie]

Ours only gets in for proper treats now. Dog treats won't suffice, it has to be prawns or cheese!

[Isandri]

Lots of treats

[mrsflowerpot]

We can't get ours up the stairs. He knows the bath is up there and he just won't go - he's 40kg of immovable object. So he gets hosed off and we use buckets of warm water outside. Love the idea of an outside hot tap, will investigate....