Rub a dub dub, my doodle's afraid of the tub

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Any suggestions on how to get a doodle who hates the tub to love the tub? I use treats and gentle coaxing but I always have to lift 72lb Winnie into the tub and he stands there a little shakey and tail tucked the whole time. When it's time to get out he gets scared and I have to help him. It's as if he's afraid he'll slip and fall.

Does anyone have any tips?

[Lynda Kamrath]

Oh, all dogs are different when it comes to a tub.  I agree with Barb that the hand-held nozzle works best for them.  And start with an empty tub and definitely warm water.  We had a poodle in Germany who would jump into the bathtub when he wanted a bath.  He would stay there until someone gave him his bath.  Our tubs now are in the laundry room and elevated, but the dogs "walk the ramp" or put their front paws on the counter top and wait for their back side to be lifted up.  Baths should not be scary once they get used to them.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

oh how I wish Winnie were like that poodle.

I have a hard time telling whether or not he simply hates it, or is scared. Maybe a bit of both. I wonder if something bad happened in the tub with his previous owners...

[Lynda Kamrath]

Does he ever splash in his water bowl?  All my dogs did that as puppies and would get the sliding glass door wet.  They loved to play in water, in the house or outside.  Maybe a little kiddie pool and put a little water in it this summer and see if he will go to play in the pool.  Cold water would definitely turn him off, but nice warm water should attract him.  Worth a try.

[Shelly Gouvas]

Jake hated his baths.Had to drag him up steps and Husband would put him in tub.But I always praised him alot during bath time and tried to make it calm and relaxing as possible.After two years Jake finally walks up the steps with me and jumps in the tub himself.He still needs a little coaxing.And I still give him tons of praise.I think praise works for everything.Think thats the best advise I got from obedience class.They are just not sure about the bath.I think they question,"is it a good thing or bad".All they know its diffrent and it scares them.Praise,praise,praise.Happy Doodleing in the tub!