How to Train Your Dog to Love Bath Time

Hello Katelyn, Check out the article I have linked below. Most puppies buck or freeze when first introduced to a leash. A method like the drag method can help pup discover that the leash isn't going to hurt her. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-your-puppy-to-accept-leash Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Katelyn, First, know that this is very normal for many puppies that age. I highly recommend taking pup on a leash (otherwise they tend to sit or just wander off and not go potty). Walk pup around slowly to encourage sniffing and the feeling of needing to potty. Try to choose calmer locations to take pup. Expect to be outside with pup 15-20 minutes each time the first month of pup learning this. When you walk pup around slowly on the leash, tell pup to "Go Potty", after pup does go potty, give pup five small treats one at a time as a reward for pottying (hidden previously in your pocket so pup doesn't just stare at the treats the whole time). After pup pees, if pup hasn't pooped in the last 4 hours, then repeat walking pup around for another 15 minutes, while telling pup to "Go Potty" and rewarding with treats again if pup poops too. Go Potty won't help pup go faster at first, but after a couple of weeks of pup seeing that they are rewarded when they go potty when you say Go Potty, pup should begin to learn that command and focus better on finding a spot to go potty when they hear it. The leash to direct pup will probably be important for 4-6 months for pup, even if you have a fenced in yard and pup is holding it well while inside. Pups tend to get distracted and not go if not leashed while young. If pup doesn't go potty after 20 minutes, bring pup back inside, crate pup for thirty minutes, then take pup directly outside again after thirty minutes to try again. Repeat taking pup outside and crating pup every 30 minutes until pup goes potty outside simply because they have to go badly. When you take them you will still take them on leash, tell them to "Go Potty" and give treats if they go, so that pup will learn that going potty outside is a good thing. The most important part of potty training is to prevent accidents inside, so pup can learn to associate your home with cleanliness and become motivated to keep it clean themselves. This is a long-term habit that needs to be formed, meaning that potty training generally takes at least 2-3 months when done well, or longer is accidents aren't prevented well. The occasional accident is going to happen with any puppy, but utilize the crate, a potty schedule, and supervising pup to prevent most accidents. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Tabitha, Some dogs find the sensation of the bath strange no matter what you do. With that said, I would try brining a scoop of pup's dog food into the bathroom with you, and throughout pup's bath periodically give pup a piece of dog food, or similar sized easy to eat treat. The idea is to make the entire bath period a rewarding experience so that pup is earning treats throughout the bath. Making sure the water is a very neutral temperature and not hot or cold can also help - dogs tend to want it a bit more luke warm than we would want, opposed to hot. You can also experiment with using a cup versus a handheld shower spray nozzle that has a soaking setting, instead of hard pressure. A handheld spray nozzle can help the bath go faster once pup is used to it. I generally recommend giving every bath with dog food, so that all baths become more fun, instead of just using the treats only initially during the training. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Samantha, I recommend gradually desensitizing them to water, then to being in the tub with the water, and once they are okay with bath making treat rewards a permanent part of bath time in the future too to maintain their acceptable of the water. Outside in a secure area, like a porch or fenced in yard, run your hose on low away from your dog and sprinkle treat between your dog and the water. Do this for 30 minutes a day several days in a row until pup will come close to the water voluntarily. Gradually get the treats close and closer to the water so that pup has to choose to come close to the water and even under the water to reach them. When pup is comfortable with that, use a cup or your hands to lightly put some warm water over their back while you feed treats in your other hand at the same time. In the meantime also spend time sprinkling treats in the bathroom, getting closer and closer to the tub as they relax, the onto the edge of the tub, then in the tub with water off. When pup can handle the warm water outside then practice the cup in the tub, slowly transitioning to the faucet running more as pup relaxes due to the treats and going slow. Gradually increase the water exposure overtime as pup becomes more relaxed - don't rush this, you want to encourage pup near the water but if you suddenly spray them or force it you will break their trust in you around water and it will take even longer. Practice with each dog separately until both are confident around bathtime. Best of luck training, CaitlinCrittenden