Giving Baths to Mastiffs

[thelady_v2010]

We have only done it outside because we aren't letting my dog upstairs. He doesn't like it. We don't do it often, he has not really needed baths. He doesn't smell bad and he doesn't get too dirty.

 

[mx5055]

If I turn the sprinkler on, Bella will play in it forever! So, last week after she played in it a bit and was totally wet I sudsed her up with shampoo, and then turned her loose to play in the sprinkler again. At the end I hosed her down just to make sure all the soap was out. Easiest dog bath I've ever given!!

 

[Hector]

I've had Hector for 7 months and have given him 4 baths. He is a terror to work with. He hates the water, the hose and is afraid to go in the kiddy pool. It's as stressful for me as it is for him. Trying to coax him with treats just does not work, so I had to just do it.

First time:
Cried, cowered, shivered, pissed, and tried to jump out of the tub.

Second time:
Cried, shivered, dead weighted. Some improvement.

Third time:
Cried, dead weighted, tried to get away. Finally got him in, started bathing then he freaked and jump out and then it was like wrestling a damn seal and I fell backwards as I tried to keep him contained because of the slippery floor. Okay, he's out - and I'm out of breath and pissed.

Fourth time (today):
He's gotten filthy enough that he's developed a bad itch on the rear end. This time, I put his comfort flex harness on him. The harness has a handle on the back. He thought he was going out, then I led him to the bathroom. Halfway - he grew suspicious and was ready to run. He cried a little, but we got into the bathroom. Okay, now the dead weighting and crying begins. Luckily for the harness handle, I was able to just lift him into the shower. He is now too big to escape and to my surprise, he sat without shivering and let me give him a good bath. I was so proud of him today

 

[musicdeb]

I tried for 2-3 months to get Titan into the tub. Not successful. Good progress, Hector!

 

[raechiemay]

Duchess was really good for baths at first, but now that she's 15 months & about 100 lbs, she is terrible. She dead weights too, which you wouldn't think a smallish mastiff of her size would be heavy but holy crap it feels like you're trying to pick up a baby elephant!!

 

[Smokeycat]

Kryten is pretty good about getting Ito the tub. My only real complaint is that there is SO much of him to wash.

 

[Hector]

I tried for 2-3 months to get Titan into the tub. Not successful. Good progress, Hector!

Thanks musicdeb. Have you tried leading him into the tub by his collar and harness (the one with a handle on the back) and maybe use some steps or a ramp? One trick that helped me was to start scratching their sweet spots right away, For Hec, it's the area on his back at the base of his tail and his chest and throat area. When those areas are being rubbed or brushed, he loves it soo much that he won't move, not even for a treat.

 

[musicdeb]

Thanks musicdeb. Have you tried leading him into the tub by his collar and harness (the one with a handle on the back) and maybe use some steps or a ramp? One trick that helped me was to start scratching their sweet spots right away, For Hec, it's the area on his back at the base of his tail and his chest and throat area. When those areas are being rubbed or brushed, he loves it soo much that he won't move, not even for a treat.

I've tried everything. Treats in the tub, ramp type stairs, towel in the tub so it's not slippery, tried to lead him in with his leash and harness. The only thing I can't do is lift him on his back end, he's too heavy.

Thanks for the tips!

 

[Hector]

I've tried everything. Treats in the tub, ramp type stairs, towel in the tub so it's not slippery, tried to lead him in with his leash and harness. The only thing I can't do is lift him on his back end, he's too heavy.

Thanks for the tips!

I feel your pain!

 

[musicdeb]

It's all good, we do baths on the patio. I kinda like it better because I do not have to clean up the bathroom after his bath.

 

[joshuagough]

We've always made a game out of the tub when ours were smaller pups, throw a toy in or something they like and coach them to get in (when your not planning to give them a bath). Or you can lead them in by a leash and treat them once they are in making it a good experience (again no bath).. then they think the bath = treats.

Deb hit on a good point, when bathing throw a towel in for them to stand on as the slippery surface creates issues.

My EM has a issue with bowls of any kind.. he will drink from a plastic cool whip bowl and that is about it. However he loves to get in the tub and drink. He gets 80% of his water this way.

 

[NeSaxena]

but holy crap it feels like you're trying to pick up a baby elephant!!

Pahahahahaha!! How many baby elephants have you lifted??? :razzberry:

In Boone's world, water = two paws up, Shampoo = run away as fast as you can! I don't have a tub, but he gets his baths in our bathroom - the hand attachment, or (because he just about fits) under the big tap. Luckily for me, he makes sure that he's dripping with water everywhere once the spray hits him, or he just keeps going back and forth and rolling on the floor till he does. Once he sees me go for shampoo, all bets are off! He'll whine, cower behind a bucket, under the sink, claw at the door, whatever! BUT, when I do start, he sits like a good boy, lets me sud him up cuz he knows that there's water after!

He hates the towel though. According to him, it's an evil contraption sent from another planet which will consume him whole! So now, the baths are once in three weeks, somewhere in the afternoon, after which he banishes himself to the outside for a long snooze! Sun = no towel!

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

Great thread. We bathed our two on Saturday. Bear first and bless him he was as good as gold other than pulling a face like you were trying to kill him, he let us pick him up and plonk him in the tub (claw footed bath). Didn't mind the shower on him and only shook and soaked us 3 times! Mooshi we had to chase around the house, closing doors as we went therefore lessening her escape routes, lift her in to the tub with feet splayed out like a cat. Once done she ran like her butt was on fire, packed her bags and threatened to leave home. This is why I usually take them to the groomers, let someone else who is getting paid suffer the guilt and dirty looks we get. LOL.

 

[joegrunt]

I gave Sasha her first bath yesterday, had to wait until she was cleared by the vet. It was on the back deck and she basically just stood there. I hooked up her lead and walked her to the spot and sat beside her. This will work during the summer months, but when it gets cold I do believe we will be heading to petsmart, lol. I tried to make it as positive as possible (talking and touching as much as I could).

 

[musicdeb]

Great thread. We bathed our two on Saturday. Bear first and bless him he was as good as gold other than pulling a face like you were trying to kill him, he let us pick him up and plonk him in the tub (claw footed bath). Didn't mind the shower on him and only shook and soaked us 3 times! Mooshi we had to chase around the house, closing doors as we went therefore lessening her escape routes, lift her in to the tub with feet splayed out like a cat. Once done she ran like her butt was on fire, packed her bags and threatened to leave home. This is why I usually take them to the groomers, let someone else who is getting paid suffer the guilt and dirty looks we get. LOL.

You're so funny! Pack her bags and threatened to leave home...hahahahahaha

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

Oh Deb you should have seen her! Just trying to get her in the tub was a laugh, she had a 4 legs splayed out like a friggen cat and just stood in the tub with her head hanging low looking like we were trying to kill her. She was a good girl really, she didn't fuss or fight but man was she a pitiful sight. I swear she flipped me the paw on her final run for freedom!

 

[musicdeb]

Oh Deb you should have seen her! Just trying to get her in the tub was a laugh, she had a 4 legs splayed out like a friggen cat and just stood in the tub with her head hanging low looking like we were trying to kill her. She was a good girl really, she didn't fuss or fight but man was she a pitiful sight. I swear she flipped me the paw on her final run for freedom!

Poor Mooshi, being mistreated by her mum. Friggin hilarious...flipped you the paw...hahahahahahahaha Next time, try a towel in the tub so she can feel more secure in her footing. Abusive mum...hahahahahahahaha

 

[Rugers-Kris]

That is hilarious! Ruger LOVES the shower but I think he favorite part is to get towel dried after! He loves the drying off and getting rubbed with the towel, it is hilarious how excited he gets.

Pahahahahaha!! How many baby elephants have you lifted??? :razzberry:

In Boone's world, water = two paws up, Shampoo = run away as fast as you can! I don't have a tub, but he gets his baths in our bathroom - the hand attachment, or (because he just about fits) under the big tap. Luckily for me, he makes sure that he's dripping with water everywhere once the spray hits him, or he just keeps going back and forth and rolling on the floor till he does. Once he sees me go for shampoo, all bets are off! He'll whine, cower behind a bucket, under the sink, claw at the door, whatever! BUT, when I do start, he sits like a good boy, lets me sud him up cuz he knows that there's water after!

He hates the towel though. According to him, it's an evil contraption sent from another planet which will consume him whole! So now, the baths are once in three weeks, somewhere in the afternoon, after which he banishes himself to the outside for a long snooze! Sun = no towel!

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

Moo loves the towel bit too Kris, as long as its when she comes in from the rain or splashing around in a lake. Out of the bath she is out the door like shit off a shovel!

 

[ruthcatrin]

Hah, Apollo's like Mooshi, though we can usually get him into the tub without lifting him. He tolerates being bathed, but clearly doesn't enjoy it. When we finally let him out he LOVES being towel dried, but it doesn't make up for the bath, and he usually throws a snit.

The one time I tried a waterless shampoo on him he had a complete tempertantrum. It was utterly hysterical and one of these days I'll have to do it again just so I can video his tantrum, you guys will laugh so hard....