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The doghouse

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

Bedlam at bathtime

30 replies

AppleBlossomTimeNow · 15/07/2021 16:25

How often do you bath your dogs & do you have any tips/tricks for bathing a reluctant dog? Thank you!

OP posts:
BiteyShark · 15/07/2021 16:29

I hose mine down after forest walks because he goes in the smelliest bogs he can find.

He gets put in a bath and hosed down with the shower attachment.

He tolerates it because after every occasion he gets a treat afterwards.

Heyyeahyouwiththesadface · 15/07/2021 16:31

We only ever bathed our 13 year old dog a handful of times when she had rolled in stuff, it just isn’t necessary.

www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/how-often-should-you-wash-your-dog
Unless they get dirty or roll in something a bit gross, it’s best to leave the natural oils in their coat do all the hard work – they’re pretty great at self-cleaning

PermanentlyDizzy · 15/07/2021 17:30

I rarely bath my dogs. A good, regular grooming routine will keep their coats clean and reduce shedding and odour. If you wash them regularly they lose the natural oils in their coats that protect them from rain/water and maintain natural skin flora.

Obviously if they roll in something disgusting you don’t have a choice, but I wouldn’t do regular baths.

Many, many, many years ago I had a little Whippet cross who loved to roll in the most disgusting thing she could find and actively resisted being bathed. I had to put on old leggings get into the bath with her, hold on tight and clamp her between my knees so dh could wash her! It was like trying to contain a very wriggly dog-shaped eel!

Thankfully there are now things like

I haven’t had the same problem with any of our dogs since, because I learned about using positive association and desensitisation, so I got them to associate nice things with being in the bathroom, then the bath then while a little water was put on them, etc, before ever attempting to actually bath them properly.

For the last few years my big dogs had their baths in a giant plant-pot (the type used to plant mature trees, so massive) in the garden with the hose attached to a mixer tap for warm water though.

Floralnomad · 15/07/2021 19:18

Mine goes to the groomers every 4 weeks for a bath and haircut , I only wash in between if he’s rolled / laid in something and then it’s generally a spot wash rather than a whole dog . If I do need to bath the whole dog ( lockdown etc) I just plonk him in the bath with a towel on the bottom and a few inches of water and then use the shower attachment . He’s very well behaved .

AppleBlossomTimeNow · 15/07/2021 19:29

Great tips! That licky mat thing is awesome.

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pigsDOfly · 15/07/2021 20:03

My dog is 10 years old and I could probably count on the fingers of one hand how many baths she's had.

The only time she gets bathed is if she's got particularly muddy and only immersing her in water will get it off, or on the couple of occasions when fox poo was involved.

This came up once in conversation with my vet when for some reason he asked me how often she had a bath.

When I told him I very rarely bathed her he said that that was absolutely right as dog don't need baths; obviously fox poo and other noxious substances apart.

PermanentlyDizzy · 15/07/2021 21:15

FloralNomad’s post just made me remember that we did have a dog that was bathed more often. She was a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, with the English/American type coat that lacks natural oils. Her hair used to absorb mud and dirty water like cotton wool. She loved a bath and pamper session though and would prance about like a princess afterwards, showing off her curls. Grin She was a lovely dog, but very high maintenance in the coat care department.

Our next dog is going to be a single-coated, short-haired breed. Much lower maintenance. I put my back out grooming my old boy yesterday, whilst contorting myself to avoid hurting his back. I’m clearly getting too old for all this!

Stellaris22 · 15/07/2021 21:20

Never, just a spot clean if she's rolled in something. She's a short haired breed and I rarely even brush her. It's completely unnecessary and does far more harm to their skin and coat than good. Dogs aren't humans, they don't need washing and perfumed products.

Regular grooming for some breeds is useful, but short haired breeds should never be bathed.

AppleBlossomTimeNow · 16/07/2021 00:52

Reassuring he doesn't need baths that often!

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suggestionsplease1 · 16/07/2021 00:56

I try and get mine in clean flowing water when on walks.

On the rare occasions I've got him in the bath, which he hates, I've smeared the wall tiles with pate beforehand for him to lick off. It looks like a dirty protest but it certainly keeps him occupied whilst being washed 🤣

warmfluffytowels · 16/07/2021 08:20

@Stellaris22

Never, just a spot clean if she's rolled in something. She's a short haired breed and I rarely even brush her. It's completely unnecessary and does far more harm to their skin and coat than good. Dogs aren't humans, they don't need washing and perfumed products.

Regular grooming for some breeds is useful, but short haired breeds should never be bathed.

I'm not sure I agree with "should never be bathed". As infrequently as possible, sure, but a bath won't hurt your dog.

My beagle gets bathed around once a month - he loves to roll in estuary mud, dead animals and all sorts and a spot-clean really won't do the trick when is entire body is caked in mud and dead things Wink

I try and hose him down rather than using shampoo but sometimes the smell and filth just won't shift!

0ntheg0again · 16/07/2021 09:13

We have a wired haired Terrier who doesn't really need bathing but occasionally we have to do it of course.

He absolutely hates it and we have to be the two of us to put him in there, once he is in he's ok, not happy but will stand still and let us wash him. I have tried the peanut butter and licky mats but in the end it just has to be a quick shower and shampoo. I think he quite likes the crazy drying off in our bed of course Smile

AppleBlossomTimeNow · 16/07/2021 22:45

Dogs are so strange. Roll in poo? Yes please! Stand in warm water? Absolutely no way! 😂

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mayblossominapril · 16/07/2021 22:53

I used to have a lab that would come in the shower with me!
Current ones get warm water in watering cans poured over them, a sort of outdoor shower.

mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork · 17/07/2021 18:05

I think my first dog (staffy) only had one bath in 14 years when he got fleas on holiday.

PoorPawsPickPawpaws · 21/07/2021 13:20

Mine's a lover of the fox poo, so bathing happens around once a month. Well, actually it tends to happen 4 times in one month then nothing for 3 Grin.

He goes in the shower with me. Rinse the worst off while standing well away (!), wash him, squeeze the water out and let him out. Disinfect the shower, wash myself and we're all done. Appreciate that's not for everyone, though Grin.

AppleBlossomTimeNow · 21/07/2021 17:53

I like the idea of showering together! He'd prob be up for that (and I get soaked anyway, so in for a penny...)!

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bunnybuggs · 21/07/2021 18:08

I have also never knowingy bathed a dog in anger (in a tub with shampoo and the rest) except if said canine is a grime monster or rolled in something dead.

I would always take doggies out in fine rain - to give them a natural rinse or as others have said use warm water in a watering can.
A whole industry has built up around doggie shampoos/cleaning and it is not always necessary except it probably makes the pooch smell sweeter.
Sadly my lovely spaniel cross (the dreaded cockerpoo coat) has a difficult coat - have just booked her another full groom 3 months after the last. It will ge a bit overdue but she will come out looking so smart and soft

First picture - before, second picture - after groom

Bedlam at bathtime
Bedlam at bathtime
LoveFall · 21/07/2021 18:48

We bathe our little maltese/poodle cross (please don't get on the topic of designer dogs, I didn't pick him, he is NOT from a puppy mill, and he is lovely) about once a month. He is small so I put him in the bath and use a handheld shower spray.

He tolerates it ok but is thrilled when he gets out, roaring around with the zoomies. He loves to be towel dried. He thinks its a game.

His coat collects sand and dirt bits so a bath is necessary. He also goes to the groomers as his coat is very poodle-like and grows like mad.

He is a true cuddle bunny and spends his time on various laps. He also sleeps on our bed, so he needs to be clean and flea free etc.

bunnybuggs · 21/07/2021 20:33

@LoveFall

We bathe our little maltese/poodle cross (please don't get on the topic of designer dogs, I didn't pick him, he is NOT from a puppy mill, and he is lovely) about once a month. He is small so I put him in the bath and use a handheld shower spray.

He tolerates it ok but is thrilled when he gets out, roaring around with the zoomies. He loves to be towel dried. He thinks its a game.

His coat collects sand and dirt bits so a bath is necessary. He also goes to the groomers as his coat is very poodle-like and grows like mad.

He is a true cuddle bunny and spends his time on various laps. He also sleeps on our bed, so he needs to be clean and flea free etc.

I would not pick on anyone for liking a cross-breed - it is a shame that a lovely 'mongrel' dog has been tarred as representative of puppy farming They are not bizarre crosses and have been around for a while. I would not have chosen this cross-breed but she is lovely and I have taken her on as a 5 year old bitch - love her to bits. (not a puppy) Picture please - I assume he is maltese sized Smile
Quickchangeartiste · 21/07/2021 21:11

I have labs and just put them in the shower -it’s usually to rinse off sand or the like , and they love the warm water running over them. They take themselves off to the bathroom as soon as I say ‘shower’. They love to squirm around in a towel afterwards.

Only use shampoo if there has been a rolling incident. Never tried putting them in the bath - they are too heavy .😁

LoveFall · 21/07/2021 22:03

Here is my sweet little guy. This was just after the groomers. He usually has his coat a bit linger but the weather was hot.

He loves his stuffed Lambchop.

Bedlam at bathtime
LoveFall · 21/07/2021 22:03

Longer for heaven's sake.

LaurieSchafferIsAllBitterNow · 21/07/2021 22:08

if ours gets washed he knows he is in the dog house... so he sits there in longsuffering silence I put him in the shower though so it's a good deal easier than the bath.
Occasionally I have done buckets of warm water in the yard for a spot clean.
I always threaten that "Next time it'll be the cold hose in the garden!!"

bunnybuggs · 21/07/2021 22:11

@LoveFall

Here is my sweet little guy. This was just after the groomers. He usually has his coat a bit linger but the weather was hot.

He loves his stuffed Lambchop.

he is very cute - I would worry about keeping that lovely 'white' coat absolutely clean - see the need for showering Smile