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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Best way of washing dogs?

17 replies

AdoraBell · 04/08/2012 04:32

How do you good people with nice clean dogs wash them?

I physically can't get the largest of mine into a bath or shower cubicle, and I need a better method than I currently use. At present I use the hosepipe in the garden but can't do that in the winter, so they stink right nowBlush

HELP!

OP posts:
Lizcat · 04/08/2012 08:42

In all honesty take him to the groomers. Though he is non-shedding so needs a hair cut every 8 weeks.

TheCunnyFunt · 04/08/2012 09:43

Blimey what do you have that won't fit in a bath?? Shock

But yep, I second groomers, the one my dog goes to has a special bath with a door in so the dog can just walk in instead of being lifted in :)

neontetra · 04/08/2012 11:45

Is there one of those mobile dog washing vans in your area? I've not used one for my dog as she's titchy and goes in the bath, but friends and family who have said their dogs loved it.

batteryhen · 04/08/2012 11:46

I have to hose mine down too at the moment. He is a 9 month old cocker spaniel pup. I am 38 weeks pg so no way can I lift him in the bath, as dp works away from home. The only thing is I am finding that I am hosing him every day. He went in the dyke today and was black and stinking, so I have no choice but to hose him down...... I think I will have to start keeping him on the lead when he is near the dyke as he loves getting stinky :( and I can not cope with the washing after.

We have got a paddling pool - I am thinking of setting it up so I can fling him in that??

EasyToEatTiger · 04/08/2012 11:53

If you can't fit the dog in the bath and you don't want to use a hosepipe, how about a bucket and a sponge? We wash our lot outside whatever, and have a good selection of dog towels. We also use anti-stink shampoo. It smells of coal tar.

kid · 04/08/2012 13:03

I wash my dog in the bath even though its a nightmare lifting him in the bath and the mess he makes when he shakes off around the whole house!
I like the idea of washing him in the garden with a hose, might give that a go next time eventhough I'm certain he will hate it.

out2lunch · 04/08/2012 13:13

i have a brown dog he doesn't show the dirt

EasyToEatTiger · 04/08/2012 16:31

2 of our dogs have black legs so don't show the dirt either. My bedsheets do though.

tooearlytobeup · 04/08/2012 17:08

I'm lucky enough to have a Springer who loves water and will use any excuse to be in it.

All I have to do is open the stairgate at the bottom of the stairs, and he runs up, jumps in the bath and waits there for me to get up and turn the shower on Grin

It takes me longer to clean the bathroom afterwards than it does to bath him.

Aquelven · 04/08/2012 17:28

I bath the big ones outside.
When I say bath, It involves a hosepipe or bucket while they stand in an old tin bath.
The little ones get bathed in our old Belfast sink.

Original poster
AdoraBell · 04/08/2012 18:48

I have German Shepherds, the biggest is 40 kilos and reluctant to be washed. He's just too big for me to pick him and put him in the bath. Shower is out because once he decides to lay down in avoidance I can't shift him in the direction of the shower cubicle.

We have been using the groomers, but we can't afford to keep on. We used to use a bucket with our first dogs, but they fought to get away. It's quite warm this afternoon so I'll see if I can get them done using the bucket method[ grin].

They live outside and get rather grubby just from running around the garden. If I could get them to stay clean-ish they could spent more time inside. We're also trying to sell so need to keep house free of parfum de dogs.

Thanks for the tips everyone.

OP posts:
Happiestinwellybobs · 04/08/2012 18:54

Mine gets bathed at his weekly trip to the swimming pool with a visit to the dog spa (at his doggie daycare) every now and again! Yes - you get the picture - spoiled hound!! However I also have a huge plastic storage container and sponge that I use for muddy walks! He hates the hosepipe as it's cold! The only thing is to close all doors - one episode of a wet bubbly 6 stone lab careering round my house was enough!!!

Original poster
AdoraBell · 04/08/2012 23:12

Well, they are clean for now. OH got the big one into the shower, but I'm going to start doing a sponge & bucket job on him. He will sit still for me with the hosepipe (he knows that resistance is futile once that comes out) but I don't like using cold water in cold weather.

OH needs to be persuaded that's it's actually neceassery to bathe the pooches, so I stroked the dogs then waved my hand under OH's nose. Worked a treatGrin

OP posts:
tabulahrasa · 04/08/2012 23:26

I train them to jump in the bath themselves not that helpful if you can't though, lol

Get a mixer tap outside?

panicnotanymore · 05/08/2012 08:35

My neighbour had a plumber fit an outside shower hose to the back wall which is thermostatically set at 40 degrees (or something) so she can shower her spaniel outside with warm water.

My dogs are small enough to go in the wheelbarrow which I use as a dog bath! I guess an alternative would be a tin bath.

LottieJenkins · 05/08/2012 08:51

I try and get my friend J to come and help me bath Bumbledog due to my bad back. On Wednesday night however B decided to roll in hedgehog crap at 8pm so i had manage on my own! I managed to get him in the bath but when i let go of him to switch the shower off and grab the shampoo he leapt out of the bath and played dead dog so i had solide wet weight to get back in the bath!! I was not amused. I rang J and my words were along the lines of "thats the last sodding time i bath him on my bloody own!" Sometimes J comes to let B out when i'm out for the day and when he sees her he shakes as he thinks a bath is due!! Grin

sunflowerseeds · 05/08/2012 20:06

Mine only gets bathed once or twice a year. Walking through long grass every day keeps him clean.

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