Mikey officially not afraid of baths anymore!!

Mikey · 11-11-2009, 02:00 AM

So as the title states-Mikey was terrible with bathtime. Shook, and fought and tried to get out of the tub.

We did a long desensitization, however keeping in mind he still had to have baths (he digs, plays with dogs and gets slobbery and swims a lot in the summer);

One thing we did was take him in the bathroom when we were showering so he could get used to the sound and smells -and not get wet and get cookies. That really seemed to help.

We also did it slowly for each bath-get him in the tub, let him calm down-treats, then turn on water, calm down, treats etc.

He's now wonderful-goes right in the tub himself and waits patiently while we bath him.

Sooo the other night we both needed a bath so I bathed him first then was taking a shower (while he stayed in the bathroom) and after a few minutes he moved the shower curtain with his head and jumped back in the tub grinning

Hahahah

So I guess we can say we conquered that phobia!!

**Criosphynx** · 11-11-2009, 03:04 AM

congrats!

he swims but is afraid of the bath? LOL I have the opposite problem...want to trade?

Mikey · 11-11-2009, 03:06 AM

HA!! That's what we've always had in our dogs-total swimmers, but won't use a kiddy pool or the bath!! Heheh

Naw-won't trade-love watching him swim

He's super fast too

Almost got attacked by geese he caught up with

**fawkese1** · 11-11-2009, 03:12 AM

yay mikey! sukper awesome desensitizing!....lol...and now you will never be lonely in the shower again!
i haven't even attempted to give clover a bath in the tub...lol...i use the "do it yourself" tubs....

Mikey · 11-11-2009, 03:34 AM

OH? Like at a groomer? Here-a number of car washes have 'do it yourself pet washes' lol Don't know if that's a weird alberta thing or normal?

It's easy to do the tub-you put towels down and ask them to go in-you can lift-but Clover...Yeah.... maybe not!

**fawkese1** · 11-11-2009, 03:40 AM

maybe if he were like 50lbs smaller...lol...i think i could get him to go in and be good and stuff, but i also have the solid sliding doors on my shower, i think i would have to take them off to even try it....just easier at the groomer, they provide shampoos and towels and a dryer and a plastic apron and you don't have to bend over the tub like that....

oh yeah...they have them at a couple of the groomers in town (i've counted 5 in town...seems like a lot for a small town) and at one pet store....really convenient...

the car wash/dog wash thing...yeah, a bit weird...at least i've never heard of it.

Mikey · 11-11-2009, 04:10 AM

Hahah That's what I thought...You can buy pet shampoo there. Obviously never been in the pet wash(other then to wash my car as infrequently as possible because I'm a slob) i'm assuming it's like wash bays with a hose...Ok now that I know it's weird I have to go check it out LOL

**fawkese1** · 11-11-2009, 04:19 AM

seriously, take pictures too....

lol...you can buy pet shampoo here too, i just don't since i won't do it at home anyway...they have all sorts to choose from at the dog wash place...and conditioner...clover always looks so handsome after!

Mikey · 11-11-2009, 04:22 AM

LOL We wash Mikey about once a week-he sleeps in our bed, and he's like momma-a total slob

LOL I assume we'll slow down when it gets cold but we've had a beautiful fall so far...

OK Yes I will take pictures...maybe I'll take Mikey there-rather then just poking my head in like a doggie creeper

**fawkese1** · 11-11-2009, 04:33 AM

i give as few regular baths as i can get away with, but we brush with the furbuster a lot and do a lot of baby wipe wipe-downs....it is about time for another one...i've given him 3 since i got him 6 months ago...1 when i got him...he was filthy and his undercoat was all matted...and the other two were both after he got filthy visiting a friend...