General Chat

I'm learning lots, thanking you all for your kind time. Have read the interesting article, thank you for that also.
:-)

I used to do what Lindsey's neighbour does, but with my son holding the dog (a labrador cross) on a short lead in the paved area of the garden. m I would have everything to hand and tip a bucket of warm water over her, then rub the shampoo in, and quickly hose her down with the cold water, slowly and gently rather than on full blast. I would then rub her down and my son would take her out for a run, literally, but with her on the lead, and not let off to roll in anything. He would only be out for about fifteen minutes but she could then come inside and warm up if needed, running with my son had warmed her and the air had dried most of her hair. She was always pretty good about it, I bathed her in our bath upstairs when she was small pup.

Good luck and have fun

Lizx

Just found this site:
http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_Shampoo.php

it does say not to use fabric conditioner as it's toxic to dogs.

My neighbour washes his dog in the garden, ties him on a short lead and uses a big car washing sponge for applying shampoo , then rinses with a second bucket of nice warm water.
Best to wear a raincoat for vigorous shaking after !!
Throw a big towel over her and lots of rubbing and praise and a treat.

That said, my bearded collie would take the first opportunity to escape to a nearby stables and roll in horse poo !

Ive noticed in a couple of those mobile dog grooming vans and also in a dog grooming parlour that they have a chain suspended from the ceiling/roof with a strap that goes around the dogs middle, ,just long enough to take some of the weight of the dog.........keeps the mutt tethered without too much stress,????

I agree with Kay - it is wonder what good brushing will do. You are lucky so far that you do not have problems and it is early days - for goodness sake for the sake of a bit of aroma - do not spook the dog.

Its not ideal to tie her up and then hose her down as if shes timid anyway and settling in after a very short time shes not had time to really gain your trust and build her confidence up,,,,,you'll scare the living daylights lights out of her and set her back,,,,,,,,she may not previously been allowed upstairs or into any other rooms bar a couple so till she feels she can go about freeely without a scolding then try a cleaning mit from a good pet shop........plus its too cold and cruel to be turing a hose on a house pet.

You've made me laugh, Prickly. I can just imagine the scene!

Chris, wouldn't the doggie still smell if I only used wipes? :-) :-D

Personally I would not put any dog in shower - it is a confined space and slippery - they will panic. Get large wipes, lots of brushing. Should do it.

I have just come up with the bestest idea ever Lavender!! :-)

Now what you do is...........massage doggie shampoo all over dog.

Then you pop down to your local "Swimming Pool Sales Centre"

You walk aroung a few times........making it look as if you are interested in purchasing a swimming pool.

And then (When nobodys looking) you accidently on purpose shove the dog in!!

And then............you jump in after her, desperately looking as if you are trying to save her life, but what you are actually doing is giving her a good scrub all over!!

Once she is free of all soap suds..........you can drag her out swearing and cursing that there was not a sign to say............"No Dogs Allowed"

Give her a good rub down..............and thats it!! Home you go with one sweet smelling dog! :-D

I'm not just a perdy face you know! ;-)

So many wonderful suggestions, thank you all! I tried coaxing her into the bathroom this evening by placing her food bowl with titbits nearer and nearer until she put her two front paws onto the shower tray. A success of sorts!

I am wondering whether the outside idea might be good idea but my h said that if I tied her to the bench she would take it with her. I'm still thinking, probably needing to finish her eyedrops before I progress. x :-)

Maybe if you put an old towel on the shower tray so she wont slip and slide she she might feel more secure than claws on a slippery tray,this worked for for me in the past but found letting pooch be in the bathroom while taking a shower helped bulid up confidence,,,,,,,,,the reason dogs dislike hoses and showers is that its very much like rain on their coat...

You can get a spray type shampoo which cleans and deodorises, from pet shops which you brush in, leave then brush out leaves a lovely sheen and nice smelling dog.....

As my boy weights 37 kilos, getting him in the shower (which is over a high edged bath) was never going to happen, he gets bathed outside with buckets of warm water and the same sandpit/paddling pool thing that Elaine has. George doesn't like it much but stands still these days giving me dagger looks, first couple of times I bathed him after bringing him home from the pound he screamed for the duration of the bath. Once he is bathed and towelled down, George makes a beeline for the couch to rub himself all over it.

my dog a long haired akita started to growl
at us when we tried to bath him upstairs
he used to like his baths but has changed his mind now
so i bought a builders palster bath for £27.00 at the builders yard
and £11.00 for an adapter for my mixer taps from b&q
and bathe my dog in the garden in warm water
it saves all the mess in the bathroom
and him shaking himself all the way down the stairs
i also use johnsons baby shampoo and rinse him in lenor
he gest the five day freshness

then stinks like a dog again after that

I have a frog shaped sandpit come paddling pool which I fill with warm water and shampoo. It's reasonably easy to get a dog in and then you empty it with the dog tied to something and refill with warm clear water, by the way I do them outside and then take them for a run ( preferably where there are no more smellies). Or if she likes water to paddle in, take a ball and throw it in the water, have a bottle of shampoo to do her with when she comes out and then keep throwing the ball until she is rinsed clear. Elaine.

I think PH's idea is probably the best to try. I would once in there to actually try the shower out go in with her making it a game. Also let her go in the bathroom with you when you shower. Mind you never get to go to the loo in peace as I have found out :-D
The other idea if you can find a baby bath she if she will go in it with water in it and then cup water over her, messy but might help.

Good luck with your daughter she sounds a dream :-)

All good helpful ideas, ladies, thank yous! :-)

l'm so lucky as Madoc loves the shower...he would get in gladly anytime:) He also has a hose down on the odd occassion .... does'nt like that much but has to be done,,,cold or not, it won't hurt her, just dry her down quickly keep her indoors, she'll be fine. But getting her into the shower....l spose the idea PH came up with is a good one:))

Good luck

jude ;-) :-D

I think everytime you go to the Loo........take the dog with you and put a few treats in the shower to encourage her in there.

It's such a shame we have to trick them............but at the end of the day, it's for their own good.

Try telling them that though!!

:-D

perhaps your hubby could help hold her. Also If there is a boarding kennels nearby, they often have facilities to bath large dogs so you could ring up and ask what they would charge rather than the store.I wonder if anyone has an old tin bath you could use.............

Thank you both for your kind advice. I normally bathe my daughters small dog like that, he's not keen but I am strong enough to cope with him.

Am doing a daily brush which is enjoyable for us both, will try again with the shower tomorrow. There isn't actually a door on it, just a glass panel to half of the base. x :-)