How do i give my water phobic dog a bath without hurting him or breaking bank?

This might take a little effort but it should work. I had a dog years ago with this issue and in time he got over it...for the most part anyway. Find a collar loose enough for him to wear. If you have him wearing a choke chain, use the "dead ring" or the ring that doesn't move. Grab a leash/rope/ or something that you can attach to the dead ring or the collar. The other end of attach to a piece of fence or a heavy chair or a heavy table or just something that will hold the dogs weight (tree, bars, metal tubes in teh ground, etc.) If you have a hose that will reach to where he will be tied up take it to there and place it behind you so the open end is not visible to him. Stand next to your dog and pet him and stroke him gently so that he feels there is nothing wrong. It is best if you have one of those trigger attachments for your hose (like the ones used for gardening that come with different settings like Full, Shower, Spray, Mist, etc. They're like 4-5 dollars at walmart) so you can turn it off instantly in case he gets defensive. Use the shower setting and spray the water so it looks like its coming from your arm running down to your hand and over the dogs back. DON"T spay his face or they will try and run away REALLY quick. Do it gently at first and move your hand over his body like you are petting him but still letting the water run down your arm. Keep telling him kind words and praising him so he does not feel pressured or become agitated. The last thing you want to wet is his head/face. Do the body first then the legs/tail. When you are ready for the head, spray it from the back of the head and let it run down skull to his face and his muzzle. This might take a little longer than you like but in time it will assure him that bath time is just bath time and not dangerous. If you use shampoo or soap, lather it up and run it through his hair like doing your own hair. When it comes time to rinse, do the same thing you did to get him wet in the beginning. Most dogs will shake their bodies at least 2-3 times from the time they get wet to the time the bath is over.

Don't bother with the groomers unless you NEED to cut the dogs coat. For dogs that are too hyper or uncooperative, many groomers use drugs to "calm" the dog. Basically, it is a "downer" to make the dog passive.

Does your groomer not have a muzzle? Usually with dogs afraid or aggressive they will use a muzzle to protect themselves. Otherwise, The Dog Whisperer just had a show about this. What he did was introduced the dog to the bath (empty) until he was comfortable but he stayed persistant in keeping him there. Then he slowly introduced the water until there was enough to bathe. He did not talk to the dog because as he says, the dog needs to know you are the pack leader and in charge. The dog did get a bit snippy for a minute but nothing he didn't stop immediately with a firm, soft voice and a hand gesture. (saying shhhh) Try that and see if it helps. Poor guy is obviously traumatized so it may take some time to complete. Good luck, definately buy a muzzle!

Start him out slow and easy. At first maybe just approach your dog with a bucket of nice warm, soapy (doggie safe shampoo, of course) water, and a wash cloth. Pet him with just the dry wash cloth at first. Praise him, so he knows what a good dog he is. Gradually, wet the wash cloth and continue to pet him and rub his coat with the wash cloth. Continually praise him. Once you have gotten him about as well scrubbed as you can using this method then rinse using a washcloth and just plain warm water. This is obviously not the most thorough way to bathe a dog, but the important thing right now is to make his bath a positive, comfortable experience. Continue to use this method for awhile and then gradually add other elements like a cup to pour water on the dog. It may take awhile, but in time he should be just fine.

I'm a dog groomer at a known pet store and we give free baths to animals from our local animal shelter....and from experience, most dogs act completely different when they come to our salon, some of the meanest dogs are sweet. We have a bathing area where they can stand up while we give them their bath, or you could take them to the vet and get him sedated. That would break the bank but it's that or have a stinky dog. Find out if there's a pet store that gives free baths. Ours does to support adoption to reduce the unnecessary death of the animals.

Actually check out this website www.carealotpets.com and you will find a spray that works just like giving him a bath without using the water. It does the same thing except it is for water conscious dogs. or go here doctorsandfoster.com.

okay:

I would introduce water gradually.

1. If you have to start off with his water bowl. When ever he drinks his water praise him. Every now and then after he has had a drink of water dip you hands in it and let him lick it or sniff it. Then try rubbing your hand on his fur or paw. Do this for a few days so he gets used to having a bit of water on his fur. Also praise him if he gives you good behavior.

2. Try getting him to drink his water in the bathroom this way he can familiarize it as a good place. Or do other things to familairize him with the area days in advace to the bath.

3. Now try and get a wet rag or wash cloth and place it on his fur and rub around softly, slowly and gently. This way he will get used to having a cloth on him that is wet. Do this for a few days.

4. Bring him into the tub and praise him and treat him while he is in the tub. Do this frequently througout the days.

5. Start the washcloth on him while he is in the tub, continue with praise and treats.

6. If you like instead of filling the tub with water get a bucket or tub and fill it with water to use to rinse him off with. Get two buckets one for clean rinse water and one for soapy water. Get him in the tub and soak the wash cloth in the soapy water and bathe him softly like you have been doing. Then get a cup and slowly pour the rinse water on him. Try to do the best you can to rinse all the soap out. It might also help if you want to use the shower head on him then make sure that you familiarize him with the showerhead spraying water on him like you did with the washcloth that way he is prepared for it like everything else.

Bottom line is make sure you familairize him with all the elements of a bath before hand. This way nothing is new to him exept everything is all at once. Hopefully everything will go well for you and remember lots of praise and treats will help things go along better. Good luck and Happy Holidays.

I can suggest 2-3 things. Take him to a groomer because they have tools for animals like that. (muzzles and things to keep them still without hurting them). Or you could take him to the vet and for about 10-15 bucks they will bathe and flea dip him for you. Or.... you can just put a choke chain on him and have at it. I would suggest taking him to a vet that will do the dipping and bathing for you.

perhaps your vet could give you some Acepromazine (dog Valium). Half an hour before you'd bathe him, give him the pill wrapped in some meat or peanut butter sandwich (that always works for my dog!), and hopefully he will struggle much less....it doesn't knock them out, just makes them mellow ( I use it with Gracie when we fly).

Good luck _ have been in the same place with a 120 lb. Ridgeback.....not fun!

Have you thought about taking him into the shower with you? Our dog is otherwise petrified of water, hates our pool and hot tub.
But, when it's shower time, I get no fight, just a passive little guy. Our shower is glassed in and separate from our bath tub...

Perhaps you could use your laundry tub?!?!

try everything, step by step water thereapy. dont just go staight to the bath tub. try 1st, going to lakes, ponds,even the back yard hose. Just so he wont get scared. Introduce water to him slowly, step by step.