[kali8268]

hi, I recently found a dog walking around my apartment building, started feeding and petting her. I've let her into my apt. a few times to allow her to build confidence. I want to keep her but when I attempt to bathe her, she barks at me, I get scared and I open the door and kick her out, it has happened the last few times. She has developed a habit of standing outside my door, scratching the door with her paws and whining. What is the best way to deal with this dog? She is not exactly a small dog and I do not know her temperament. She is friendly for the most part but everytime she barks at me, I think she is going to jump at me and bite me. I feel bad for this dog and want to give her a home, but if she doesnt adjust, I feel the best care for her would be at a shelter. I have posted a picture, for the most part I think she's a mutt. If anyone has any ideas as to what she might be, please tell me. Thank you.

[kali8268]

here is honey.

[alundy]

She is probably nervous as a result of her background and unstable living conditions. I think you should take her to a dog behaviorist who can properly evaluate her and let you know if she can be rehabilitated and what to do. It sounds like she could turn into a wonderful dog with the right guidance. Until you are able to get to the behaviorist, don't bother with things like bathing that make her nervous.

[blackgavotte]

you need to first off, be sure she has no owner. There could be someone in your own complex who owns her and if you keep her they may say she was stolen. Have you phoned your local shelters and pounds and vets to give her description? If you make all those efforts and have no results, ( and I would document your efforts well ) then if you keep her, yes, some basic obedience type training would be your first step. You don't know her background or why she is challenging you re the bath at this point, but with training and teaching her to respect and obey you, she could be a lovely dog. You may in fact want to first send her to a professional groomer for that first bath, that might get her and you over the hump and they can also give you a report on how she handled the whole thing, which will give you some insight into her character and possible fears. Good luck.

[blackrose]

I agree with the above posts and I also thought I'd say this: some dogs just don't like bath time. I work at a groomers as a bather and lots of dogs come in and bark at me while I'm bathing them. Not all, but some. Most don't do it aggressivly, it's more like they are nervous and just want to hear their own voice.
In her previous home, bath time may not have been a pleasent experience for her, so she learned to bark and growl at the person who was trying to bathe her. Just a thought.

And I ten times agree, get her into a training class. This will help solve most "dominance" issues with her.