Whether it’s rain, sprinklers, or the Gulf coast, water is abundant here in Florida. Dogs who are deathly afraid of water can make life difficult for everyone when you want to bring them to relax poolside or on the deck of a boat. The reasons that a dog might not love water are plentiful, but in most cases, you can work with your pup to change their attitude and build a positive association with water. This should hopefully make bath time much easier!
Building A Positive Association
For dogs that love water, incorporating them into fun family activities like boating can be done relatively safely. For most households, however, pet owners want one simple task to be easier: bathtime. Forcing your dog with a great fear of water into the bath can seem like a herculean task, but only if you don’t take steps to help them acclimate to it.
The simplest way to start improving your dog’s feelings towards water is to slowly introduce them to water through various means. Taking a walk right after a summer storm or during a light drizzle will dampen your dog’s fur, let them investigate puddles, and take in all the smells associated with rainfall. If this rain coincides with your daily walk routine, your pup will most likely be excited to go out and have fewer reservations about the water than they would otherwise. You can also use treats to help ease their concerns and help take away some of the fear they are experiencing.
Minimizing the amount of water they have to endure at one time is also a great way to start acclimation. Using a damp cloth to wipe down and pet your dog can get them introduced to the sensation of water without completely soaking them in the tub or leaving them in the rain. Bringing the dog into the bathtub before you begin running any water to show them the area is another excellent way to have them start the process of positive association.
Bath Time
Do you feel ready to try giving your dog a bath? There are a few ways to prepare before you actually begin the process. To start, you should fill the bathtub with a few inches of water well before your dog is in the room. Loud noises and running water are much scarier than a few inches of standing water. It would be best if you also had a non-slip mat in the tub so your dog can not slip and fall and become even more scared.
When you are ready for bathtime, try and get your pet relaxed before. An extended play session followed by some treats will tire them out and make them much more relaxed and calm when placed in the tub. During the bath, you should always use slow, calming movements and give lots of encouragement. This is an entirely new experience for your pet, and they may not understand the reasoning for why this is happening to them. Use a cup or detachable shower head to pinpoint the area you are bathing instead of having water pour down on your dog’s entire body at once. Remember always to use pet-safe cleaning products! Products made for humans can damage the fur and skin of dogs.
The goal is to keep the entire process as enjoyable and calm as possible. It will take time, but you’ll find it worth it to dispel your dog’s anxiety around baths and water.
Gulf Coast K9 Dog Training works with Sarasota and Manatee dog owners to help train their pets to live happy, secure, and confident lives.
