How to make bath time easier for your dog
Before I get on the boards, I want to make one thing clear: fear is hard to handle. I will not lie and guarantee that these tips will immediately make your dog jump every time the swim time rolls. Nothing is so simple, and it all depends largely on your dog's fear of bathing.
An older dog who has been afraid to swim for years will be more difficult to keep calm than a young puppy who has no anxiety to overcome for years.
But they have in common to be less stressful for your dog and over time you will find a difference in the way your dog reacts to the bath. Here's how to make bath time easier for your dog.
When it comes to making bath time easier for your dog, one of the most important things to remember is to be prepared. This includes having your shampoo, your towels, a mug for rinsing and any toys or treats you could use before you leave.
If your dog is already nervous in the tub, he will be even more stressed if you leave him alone in this scary place while you go catch the towels you have forgotten.
You can make things a little less stressful for your dog by filling the tub with warm water before entering. The sound of running water may seem trivial to us, but for dogs who hate bath time, this noise (and all splashing) causes extra stress.
Make sure your bathtub is slip-resistant
Does your dog slip when he is in the bathtub? This is an important factor in making your dog feel comfortable in the bathtub. Not being able to walk without slipping is really scary, so it's important to make sure that the surface of the tub is not slippery.
If you do not have a mat (or non-slip material on the floor of your bathtub) that prevents you from slipping, you can put a thick towel on which your dog can stand.
Use a cup for rinsing (if your dog is afraid of the tap)
If your dog is not a fan of the bath, it is likely that he will not like to be rinsed with the faucet or the showerhead. They are rather noisy and the addition of all this extra water can make the dogs nervous.
I prefer to use a cup to rinse because it is silent and less impressive. A cup also gives you better control to prevent water from getting into your dog's eyes and ears.
When it comes to putting your dog at ease in the bath, do not forget to protect your eyes, nose and ears. If your dog is already stressed, it is even more stressful that he has water in his eyes or ears. Using a washcloth will give you better control and help prevent water from splashing on your eyes, nose and ears.
Use toys or treats in the bathtub
Using toys and / or treats is one of my favorite things to make bathing less stressful for my dog. Depending on the fear of your dog, you may need to use treats of great value to keep him distracted.
My favorite distraction technique is the peanut butter trick, but if you do not want to smear peanut butter in the tub (which is perfectly understandable), you can simply distribute dog treats throughout the bath or use a toy that floats like the Max Glow Ball. (Personal favorite of Laika).
If your dog is terrified of bathing, you can help him reduce his stress by accompanying him. When Laika was younger, she was completely terrified by the bath and the thing that helped her the most was to get into the tub with her. I put on a swimsuit and sat next to her during the whole process.
It did not make him jump for joy every time the bath bath rolled, but that made a noticeable difference in his nervousness. She stopped trying to escape, she stopped whining and after each bath, she began to relax more and more.
Have an assistant if you are stressed
If your dog's bathing stresses you, there is a good chance your stress will dissipate on your dog. You can make it easier for yourself (and your dog) to ask a friend or family member for help. They can work to keep calm while you work on the bath part.
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