How to Bathe a Dog who Hates Baths

It’s bath time. Your canine companion is smelling a bit funky, has got into goodness only knows what, or needs to be clipped. But, there is a problem, your dog hates baths! Somehow, he knows what’s coming-- he sees you getting out the dog shampoo and putting the old towels next to the tub, and before you know it, he has hightailed it under the bed, is cowering in a corner, or worse, has turned aggressive and is growling and snapping at you when you try to pick him up or haul him to the bathroom. Once you get your reluctant subject to the tub it's a constant fight to keep him there-- he struggles and tries to jump out. It can be dangerous if your dog slips in the tub or becomes injured in his attempts to escape. 

How do you bathe a dog that hates baths?  With a few adjustments and some time and patience to train your dog and create a more positive association with the bath, you can make bath time more pleasant for your bath-hating pooch.

In order to counteract a negative experience or a dislike of bath sensations, you can take some care and consideration to create positive associations and minimize negative ones.  Also, avoid chasing your dog prior to a bath, as this can seem an awful lot like a fun game to your dog and reinforce the behavior.

• Use a muzzle if your dog is aggressive during bath time to prevent injuries.

• Use appropriate non-slip surfaces and restraints to avoid your dog getting injured if they struggle and try to escape.

• Make sure water is not too hot, and that post bath drying and clipping is not too hot and does not cause discomfort or burns.

• Have an assistant available to assist you if your dog is particularly difficult, to prevent injuries.

• Have patience, be calm, and positive. Do not punish a dog that already hates baths, as this will just make your dog dislike bathtime further.

So your Wheaton doesn't like water, or your Bichon does not like baths! You can change your dog's bath hating behavior with a little bit of preparation and consideration. Figure out what it is your dog hates most about baths, and then work to minimize this. Figure out what your dog likes most, treats, play, walks, etc., and associate this with bathtime. In no time your bath hating dog will learn to... well, maybe not like baths, but at least not hate them as much!