[Dunixi]

The title should say First time bath

Well I brought home my Husky today. Besides having little to no training, he has never had a bath. She says she brushes them twice a year (more if they get too dirty) but no baths. I need suggestions as to how to introduce him to this idea of a bath. Right now he smells like horse manure, and while I don't mind that smell, I think a bath would do him good.

Thanks in advance,
Christine
Proud mom of Tiberius

 

[SMoore]

I would just go slow and gentle with the water, not to make very sudden movements with it as to scare him. Possibly just use a gentle/tearless shampoo to ensure the entire experience is pain-free without any shampoo getting into the eyes (or at least if it does it doesn't hurt!)

Does he like to be brushed? I've noticed sometimes with dogs who like to be brushed using a bath brush or grooming glove can make it somewhat enjoyable as it almost gives them an all over massage and gets all their itches. It also makes sure the shampoo gets through the thick coat.

The most important thing is to rinse, rinse, rinse and make sure no shampoo is left behind!

Something like this: http://www.petplanet.co.uk/shop_dev/assets/new_product_images/interpet/rubber_grooming_glove.jpg

Or I even love these zoom groom brushes: http://www.petnutritionproducts.com/productimages/images/zoomgroom_dog.jpg They can also be found for a few bucks at petco/petsmart

Pandora isn't too wild about baths but she LOVES being brushed and she will arch her back and keep trying to get closer and closer to me during a bath if im using that glove on her. If I stop she'll start nudging my arm, lol.

You could even learn how to do a proper pet massage and make it a very relaxing experience.

 

[Dunixi]

Thanks very much for the advice! I am gonna try to give him a bath at the beginning of next week. He does like to be brushed. I need a better brush because the one I have isn't going through his coat real well. I'm gonna look at the links you added. After his first bath, I may see about taking him to a groomer or the vet for his feet. He is good with letting me handle them, but his nails are darker and that makes me a bit nervous about trimming them

 

[echo8287]

If you have a shower take him in the shower with you. Take some treats too. If you need something that won't matter if it gets wet>use some cut up slices of hot dog. Every now and then when you are bathing give him a piece of hot dog. Then bath him and do the same thing. After drying give him a treat. Pretty soon he will get the idea bath time is treat time. Later on you can start giving the treats at the end.I started my dogs out when they were puppies taking a shower with me. Sometimes I have to run them out of the shower so I can get in. They generally like taking a bath> they get treats afterward now. David

 

[Dunixi]

I honestly wish we still had a walk in shower. lol. I don't think the bath itself will be too bad. He came in the bathroom (at least poked his head in) yesterday while I was taking a bath. The running water and such didn't bother him, neither did get a bit wet when I splashed him a bit. bath time = treat time..good idea I wonder if he'll get in the tub for hotdogs...hehe

 

[midge0413]

however you decide to bathe him you need to be sure to dry him all the way or else you'll do more damage than the intended help. i would brush him very well before the bath to get rid of the undercoat that is going to take forever to dry. ( at work we "blow them out" and get hair everywhere.. lol) good luck

 

[Dunixi]

Thanks. I'm going to call around tomorrow to some groomers and see if I can get him in. He has been brushed about 12 times since he came home. lol. He is shedding bad. His previous owner says he always sheds early so I get to look forward to that every year. I am going take it slow and easy...start by getting him in the tub..then some water on his feet, etc. Of course after he tried to jump in the half frozen retention pond, you wouldn't think he has problem with water.

 

[SMoore]

With my Husky (Cain in my sig) i use the furminator on him but yours almost looks to have a longer, thicker coat so that might not be as effective.

The furminator is also pretty expensive (roughly $50) you could buy just a rake and a slicker brush and probably get a lot of the undercoat out.

 

[Dunixi]

The brush I have isn't working really well so while I was at Wal*Mart, I got a rake and that seemed to help. As soon as I got home he got a good brush down and actually seemed to enjoy it.