My puppy doesn't seem to like water a lot when I bathe him. Why is that? I thought dogs loved water? Sometimes he barks and growls when I bathe him, but most times, he just stands there but looking uncomfortable. What can I do to make bathing him easier? Thx!

 

ummm. is the water warm enough? they get chilled easily. not too hot either, of course. but warmer is better than cooler, so long as it isn't scalding.

 

Yes, the water is always warm to the touch, about 60-70-ish. I always test the water on myself first, so think 70-ish seems right.

 

hrmm. honestly, that seems a bit cold. the water will cool rapidly on his skin. if you made a nice warm bath that you just poured the water over yourself, with only your ankles in it, you'd probably prefer in the 90s. and keep pouring it over him, lest he get chilled.

even if it was around hot tub temperature (100 or so), since he's just mainly having it poured over him, rather than being fully immersed in it, it'll still be quite nice. just make sure it isn't scalding.

 

I think all dogs are different in terms of their liking either hot or cold water. My lab loved cool water as a pup and to this day. Then again he is a "water" dog. He LOVES taking a bath so I've had no probs.

My suggestion would be to def. try different water temps to meet his/her needs. And possibly buy one of those water toys so you can make it fun for the little guy. When they view any task as fun, they'll do it without fuss.

 

Might help if you can post a pic of this.

 

If the water is comfortable for you, standing naked in it indoors or outdoors or wherever you are bathing him, then the temperature will be okay for him. What will make him dislike baths are other things, like water in his eyes, water in his ears (especially this) or if you are using soap that stings. Try to fold his ears down over his ear canal and keep your hand over it so no water goes in his ears.
My shepherd puts up with the water, but she loves getting towel dried after the bath ends. She even puts up with a hair dryer.

 

Yeh I have a cockerspaniel and shes hates baths! She hides under cars wherever cause she knows its coming. I use warm water also. Cockerspaniels have eyes and ears that are sensitive to water which is a reason why they don't like it. I do use herbal essence on her sometimes so she comes out smelling really good When I think about it all cockerspaniels probably hate water, I took care of one of my neghbors for awhile back in the day and she hated water also. Make sure you use dog ear cleaner also.

 

Thanks!

I only bathe his body, so water getting into his eyes and ears is non-existent. I also use dog shampoo, so it's not strong or stingy.

Well, I guess he just has to put up with it, because I'll keep bathing him if he gets stinky or dirty. When he barks and growls, I just smack him across the face (not hard) and he would shut up. Overtime, he'll learn to either like bathing or put up with it.

But thanks for the responses!

 

Here he is looking uncomfortable because I keep making funny faces at him :


And here he is running away uncomfortably because I just bitch-slapped him:


"Who's your daddy? Wrong answer!" :Bitch-slap: J/K! I sound like I abuse him, don't I? But I treat him very well.