Bathing a really Doodle

[Sue & Lily Grace]

Lily Grace is going to day camp once a week. She is outside for 4 hours in sand, dirt and on as only us Floridians fondly know as native grass. No resemblance to northern grass. She has to be bathed when she gets home. She does not like it but it is necessary. I am unsure on how to get her head and face clean and then rinsed. I think I was drowning her today. Any suggestions are appreciated.

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

I wash the body first and then I use the shower sprayer to wet the head (hold my hand over their eyes), side of face (cover the opening to the ears), and then the muzzle.  Cubbie doesn't mind but Ollie hates it.  He always makes sputtering sounds so now I cover his nose when I spray the muzzle even though I spray on a downward angle from the sides so i'm pretty sure no water was getting in but I'll humor him.  Once they are nice and wet, I quickly shampoo (using tearless puppy shampoo) and rinse using the same process described above.  Then towel dry because I find that having a wet head makes them want to try and shake more than just having a wet body.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

What type of set up do you have for washing her? I wash Tara in the tub/shower and use a hand held shower hose attachment.  It makes it very easy to regulate the water pressure (control on hand piece) and also the direction the water goes from the hand piece( because of the flexibility of the hose). By turning the pressure down and approaching her face from different angles,  I can control where the water goes and keep it out of her eyes and nose as much as possible. It's still the least favorite place to wash for both of us though!

[Sue & Lily Grace]

I have her in the tub and have a hand held shower head that is 7 feet long. I am using a soapless shampoo that is gentle so it will not strip her skin oils with the frequent shampooing. I am also in the tub with her so I can hold her. She was really sputtering when I put the shower head to her head when it was time to rinse her. Do any of you put cotton in their ears before you bathe them to help keep theirs dry?

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Yes, I use cotton in Tara's ears when I bathe her.  Maybe you could try turning the pressure down a bit when you use the hose around her face. It sounds like you have a good set up for washing her.

[Sue & Lily Grace]

I will keep trying and hoping that it becomes easier. If she is going to play this hard each week she will need a bath weekly.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

 OMG! What a little doll! Looks like she really enjoys her playtime!! I see what you mean about the weekly baths though. You'll be a pro in no time at that rate!

[Connie & Kramer]

Hi Sue,

Have you tried tiny treats to feed her while she is bathed? That might help her to associate it as a positive experience. When I saw Kramer stick his whole head under water, I worried less about his ears, but I still try to keep the water out. I gently pull his ear back and cover the opening so no water splashes in while gently talking to him. I think he likes it...mama is talking sweet to me...may I have some more please? Hehe. I also have an extra long shower hose that I hold right up against the skin, I noticed he prefers not to have water cascading so I put the nozzle on his skin and with the other hand I stroke him which also helps to remove the soap. I was the whole face and go right over the eyes...it is not his favorite but he just stands there like a little kid and lets me do it.

Kramer goes to the park to play with another doodle, and he comes home with dirt ground into his skin. He seems to like the tub because all I say is "get in the tub" and he heads into the bathroom and steps into the tub. He also gets a treat when we are done. It sounds like you are doing a lot of these things all ready. Maybe she might like a quick rinse with water and treats to get her acclimated to the bath so she learns to love it and build up to the full bath. When the doodles are dry, the dirt does brush out. She won't be sweet smelling but she might have more time to adjust to the process. I hope this helps. She sounds like a real sweetie pie!

[Sue & Lily Grace]

Give that big boy a hug from me. Hope all is going well. Have a wonderful Holiday.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I've taught the girls to hold their heads back when I'm doing the top of their head so that the water rolls down their back.  I also use cotton in the ears and I also hold my hand over their ears.