[PandaCakes]

Any ideas??? She hates water. Not in a stubborn sort of way, but she's terrified of it, including any kind fo spray bottle. I bought a special attachment for my shower yesterday to use to bathe her, along with some oatmeal shampoo, but I thought I'd ask for tips beforehand, and which methods work best for curbing the behavior. She is usually groomed once a month or so (she's been three times since May), and the first time she jumped high enough to hit the ceiling lights, and she dislocated the groomer's shoulder. She's just terrified! I have gotten her to let me brush and "faux-bathe" her before, where I just pour tiny bits of water on her at a time and lather, but I don't know how she'll do with an actual hose. Is there anything I can do to help her get over this???

She is clipped for the summer, so I won't have to wash any really long Beardie hair, thank the lord...

[PappyMom]

Lots of treats.. Run the bath water, with her just in the bathroom, or close enough to hear it, and treat her for not freaking out. If she shows the slightest bit of curiousity to the tub, give her a treat... dip your hand it the water, and bring it to her, if she licks it, or doesn't freak out, give her a treat...cup some in your hand next, and drip it over her paws..once again, if she doesn't freak, treat.. It'll probably take time before you can use the attachment, but let her get used to that too...hold it while you are petting her, leave it in the living room, and give her the chance to sniff it, until it becomes just another ordinary day thing for her..and when it comes time to bathe with it, introduce it's new use slowly..once again, starting on a paw, and treat.. Once she associates bath time as being okay, and yummy, she'll calm down..

[PandaCakes]

Originally Posted by PappyMom

Lots of treats.. Run the bath water, with her just in the bathroom, or close enough to hear it, and treat her for not freaking out. If she shows the slightest bit of curiousity to the tub, give her a treat... dip your hand it the water, and bring it to her, if she licks it, or doesn't freak out, give her a treat...cup some in your hand next, and drip it over her paws..once again, if she doesn't freak, treat.. It'll probably take time before you can use the attachment, but let her get used to that too...hold it while you are petting her, leave it in the living room, and give her the chance to sniff it, until it becomes just another ordinary day thing for her..and when it comes time to bathe with it, introduce it's new use slowly..once again, starting on a paw, and treat.. Once she associates bath time as being okay, and yummy, she'll calm down..

Oddly enough, Panda is able to turn her desire for treats on and off. For example, if she is in a situation she doesn't like or isn't comfortable with, she will ignore a treat. We have been trying to socialize her with more people, and when we have cookouts we give her a steak, she will ignore it, even if it's 6 inches away from her, until everyone goes home. When we were alone in the vet office, she wouldn't eat a treat. She's definitely smarter than the average bear (ha!) but hopefully I'll figure something out.

[skelaki]

Sometimes we just have to do what's best for the dog. The main thing is to act matter of fact about the whole thing, be relaxed and confident, and don't coddle or reassure her since to her that rewards the fear.

For the first bath I wouldn't worry about using shampoo. Just wet her a bit, and then take her out of the tub and dry her off. If you're relaxed and confident about the process she'll soon learn that nothing bad will happen. Oh! one more thing. Be sure and have a rubber mat in the tub so she doesn't slip.

[RubyLove]

I took lots of baths and showers with Ruby in the bathroom with me before trying to bath her. Sometimes she gets a kong, or an ice cube to play with, and sometimes she will curl up on the mat and go to sleep. It got her used to the sound of running water and she has no problem approaching the shower when it is running or the bath when it is full now. She is still not happy about being bathed, but from seeing me not getting hurt by it so often she is not afraid any more, and although she would rather it didn't happen she is calm.

Also, no coddling. At all. The first few times she was in the bathroom while I showered she whined constantly. Then she got over it when I didn't react. Same when bathing her. If I reassure her then it means there is something to be reassured about... make sense?

I would make the first bath quick, but make sure she isn't struggling when you let her out of it. It is up to you when the bath ends, not her. Good luck