A dog who puts up a fuss when it’s bath night or shies away from puddles can make everyday life a bit frustrating. Living here in South Florida, we would love our dogs to enjoy the Gulf, the pool, or even our weekend boat rides. But many dogs hate water, which causes anxiety for both pet and owner. This could happen for many reasons – they may have had some past trauma, or just have not had good experiences with water. But with a little work and reframing of how they feel about water, you can make bath time and rainy day potty breaks much simpler.
Baby Steps
To improve their feelings towards bath time, start with small steps that re-introduce them to water in a more positive way.
- Get them naturally interested by proximity. Take a walk around a lake, or outside after a rain so they can sniff some puddles. Intentionally choose to go walking during a drizzle, with a pocketful of their favorite treats to use as a reward for their positive curiosity.
- Make it a game. Play a favorite game together outside while the sprinklers are on. Start by playing in an area that’s not currently being sprayed; over time, work toward getting them to willingly run through the spray.
- Introduce dampness before wetness. By petting your dog with a washcloth or wipe (and giving them some treats, of course), you can get them introduced to the sensation of being wet without soaking them in the tub.
- Help decrease pre-bath anxiety. Give your pup treats while the water is running in the tub. It helps if you reduce your own anticipation of the upcoming bath–stay calm and happy with your dog so they pick up on those emotions instead of dread or worry.
Pre-Bath Ritual
Once your dog is more comfortable around water in general, develop a pre-bath ritual that will further decrease their fears. A long game of fetch or nice walk will tire your pup out and keep them more relaxed during the bath. Place a rubber mat in the tub, as part of your dog’s discomfort may come from a fear of slipping. If you don’t have a mat, a towel placed on the floor of the tub can work as well. Filling the tub with a few inches of water before bringing your dog into the room may make bath time easier as well–the loud sound of the water can cause significant anxiety in dogs. Throw in some beloved rubber toys for your dog to gnaw on as a distraction, or get a lick pad that sticks to the wall and can be filled with peanut butter. These items will help change the bath experience to a happy one in your dog’s eyes.
During the Bath
You want to give your dog some agency as you bathe them. It’s quite startling to be picked up and tossed into the tub; instead, it may help to set a step stool next to the tub and coax your dog in themselves. Speak lovingly to your dog as you wash them, and be slow and gentle with your movements. Use only pet-friendly shampoos so that their skin isn’t harmed by the formulations in human shampoos, and rinse with a shower head or nozzle instead of dumping water over them, as being drenched suddenly can be distressing.
The goal is to keep the entire process as enjoyable and calm as possible. It will take time, but you’ll find that it’s so worth it to dispel your dog’s anxiety around baths and water in general.
Gulf Coast K9 Dog Training works with Sarasota and Manatee dog owners to help train their pets to live happy, secure and confident lives.
