I can think of more than one comedy scene I’ve watched play out on the television that features a dog running AWAY from the bathtub that left me laughing! But I’ve gotta tell ya, there’s nothing funny about it when a big dog refuses to be coaxed into his bath! If you know the struggle is real, you’ve landed on the right page! Today you’ll discover some excellent tips for getting a big dog to get in the bathtub!
There are a plethora of reasons a big dog may be skittish when it comes to bathing. It could be a bad experience from his past or simply the fact that being in a bathtub is a rare event that he’s not quite comfortable with. But you CAN get him comfortable around (and in) the bathtub. Most dogs only get bathed about once a month or so. In this article, I’ll be encouraging you to expose your big dog to the bathroom, and particularly the bathtub, on a much more regular basis.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not talking about bathing him (or her) more often. Bathing your dog more often than necessary can strip important oils from his skin. This can ruin the “shine” on his coat and even dry his skin out, making it itchy. You’ll only want to bath your dog as often as they need it which is dictated by how dirty he gets on a regular basis.
Although it may seem kind of silly, spending time near or in the bathtub really will help your big dog dread bathtime less. Today I’ll go over some of the ways you can encourage your four-legged companion to cooperate when it comes to bath time… including getting him in the tub! So, let’s begin, shall we?
Bath Time for Big Puppies
For those of you whose big dog is still a puppy, you have the advantage! The time to start training any dog is in their youth. If it’s a puppy you’re dealing with, bath time will become routine with repetition and patience. You don’t have to coax a dog who is small enough to pick up and put in the tub! However, you’ll want to make the experience a pleasant one from the beginning, so later in his life, bath time won’t be an issue at all.
Your attitude toward bath time is the most important tool you have to utilize. Treat bathing your dog as a happy and fun event. Always use a gentle tone and a gentle hand. Massage your dog as you lather him up and rinse him. Be careful not to get shampoo in his eyes or water in his ears. Take your time, too. Your dog will pick up on any stress you might have toward his bath time. Reward good behavior with praise, and remember that every interaction you have with your dog, even bath time, is an opportunity to strengthen your bond with him (or her, of course!).
Tip #1: Get Your Big Dog Comfortable Near the Bathtub
If you haven’t had the advantage of having your big dog since his youth, bath time may be more of a challenge. Large breed dogs can weigh from 50-150 pounds (22-68kg)! It is much, much harder to lift them into a bathtub at that weight. There’s one thing we know about dogs, though, that we can ever use to our advantage. They live to please us!
Getting your big dog to be comfortable around (and in) the tub does take some time and patience, but I promise you it can be done. One way we can let our dog know bath time is pleasing is by letting him (or her) watch us bathe. Speak in a soothing tone to him as you bathe and let him “investigate” the area when you get out… or while you’re in there!
Another way to get your big dog used to being around or in water is to use a children-sized wading pool outdoors. Start with the pool empty and let him get in and out at will. Maybe toss his ball in there a time or two and let him retrieve it. If you have children, encourage them to play with the dog in the empty pool (or do it yourself).
After the dog is not intimidated by the empty pool, fill it about half full and continue utilizing the pool for fun. Take off your shoes and socks and get in there with your dog. When the dog easily gets in the wading pool, go ahead and wash him there if you’d like, using only the water in the pool. Of course, you can only use the wading pool method if climate and outdoor space permits.
Some dogs aren’t frightened by the bathtub itself, but by the sound of water running. In the manner that you got him used to the wading pool, you can get him used to the bathtub. The earlier in his life he receives “tub exposure” and the more often he receives that exposure, the better (and faster) he will adjust.
Tip #2: Use a “Cue” to let Your Dog Know it’s Bath Time
Having a set “cue command” goes hand in hand with the information above this section and below it. Every time I want my dog to get in the bathtub, I point to the tub and say, “Get in!”. Okay, I admit it is not very creative as far as cues go, but it is efficient. Maybe I should have used “Rub-A-Dub-Dub Time!” for a cue, LOL! Whatever you decide to use, keep the command simple and consistent.
Begin using a “cue command” for bath time as soon as your big dog has mastered the 5 Basic Commands. These are:
- Come!
- Heel!
- Sit!
- Down!
- Stay!
We always start with the 5 Basic Commands to establish that the dog is beginning to learn what we want from him (or her). Training begins the day after your dog arrives at your home. It is also on-going and life-long. Even if you send your dog through canine obedience classes, his primary learning will always happen at home via his humans. Be consistent, be patient and be kind.
Never punish your dog for misbehaving during bath time! This will only add to the problem (and the stress). Punishment rarely brings the results you want. Rather, it tends to propel your dog away from progress, not toward it. Keep your attitude light and reward every effort on your dog’s part.
Tip #3: Use Treats to Make the Tub Experience More pleasant
There is never anything wrong with coaxing your big dog to do your will by using treats! Contrary to popular opinion, you will not spoil him. The goal is to associate something good with his bath. Remember the best treat is always your praise and affection, but be generous with tasty (and healthy) treats with bath time.
My dog loves pieces of banana, sweet potato, carrots, and even pineapple! Fresh vegetables are a great alternative to store-bout dog treats, which are high in preservatives and artificial flavorings. Again, the younger your dog is when you offer vegetables for treats, the better he will “take” to them.
Start with the bathtub empty and coax your dog near to it by using treats. Have him sit by the tub as you speak praises to him and slip him a treat. Next, toss a treat into the empty tub and let your dog retrieve it. Repeat the process on a couple of different occasions until you see that he is not tense or stressed when retrieving the treat from the empty tub.
Next, put just a little water in the tub, and shut the spigot off. If he will hop in the shallow water, praise him and give him a treat. Each time you do this, add a little more water. When he will get in a tub that’s half-full of water, it’s time to bathe him. Your patience will pay off! Try doing this a couple of times a week for about a month. THEN give him a bath.
It’s important when doing this tub-training to only give the treat when he is near or in the bathtub. You want him to directly connect his pleasing behavior toward the tub with the treat. If the dog refuses to get near the bathtub, simply put the treat away and try later in the day, or on another day altogether.
Keep at it, don’t give up! Your big dog is very smart. He will figure out what you want. He will realize the bathtub is not stressful. Most important, though, he will come to understand there is a reward in bath time for him! In the event that it’s running water that frightens him, you’ll find a useful tool in the section just below that will make running water quieter and more easily directed.
5 “Tools” to Get (and Keep) Your Big Dog in the Bath
Tool #1: Treat-Dispensing Mat
Check out the weird-looking device in the photograph just above! It’s called a treat-dispensing mat and it has suction cups that affix it to the wall around the bathtub. Simple looking thing, isn’t it? This is to distract your dog while you bathe him. You can smear peanut butter, wet dog food, or even cheese across the little nubs.
The goal is to keep your dog busy licking goodies while you wash and rinse him. I’ll give you a little hack for this handy gadget. Whatever you smear on it for your dog to eat in the bath will last much longer if you freeze it after you smear it up. 30-45 minutes in the freezer before bath time will do it! Grab your treat-dispensing mat from Amazon right here
Tool #2: Bathtub Tether
Just below, you’ll find an illustration of a handy bathtime tether strap. This is ideal for the dog who hasn’t quite mustered love for a bath. It attaches to the bathtub wall via a strong suction cup. This tether will keep your big dog in the tub until you rinse the last of the suds from his (or her) fur!
The suction cup is strong enough to hold dogs in the tub that weigh 60 pounds. The sturdy clap affixes to your dog’s collar, and the nylon strap is adjustable so you can make it the right length for your comfort. Never leave your dog unsupervised in the tub, though. Click here for the bathtime tether strap on Amazon
Tool #3: Hand-Held Water Sprayer
The handy device pictured below serves more than one purpose! You simply slide the adjustable strap onto your hand like a glove for full control of the water spray. There is also an on/off valve on the sprayer so you don’t have to turn the water off or on at the source. The “bristles” on the sprayer act as a soft scrub-brush, allowing you to thoroughly wash your dog, massage his skin and pick up loose hairs from his coat, helping to control shedding. Rinsing is a snap, too! It’s right in the palm of your hand. Check out theWantedstuff 3 in 1 Pet Shower Kit from Amazon
This sprayer is part of a set that includes custom adapters for the bath or an outdoor spigot. The hose is 82 inches long (208cm) giving you the convenience of maneuverability. Additionally, you’ll receive a free finger dental hygiene brush for your dog! Proper dental hygiene is every bit as important to your dog’s health as it is to your health. Get a Hand-Held Bath Sprayer from Amazon
FAQ About Bathing Big Dogs
Should I bathe my Dog in the winter?
If you live in a climate with extreme winter weather, this needn’t interrupt your routine for bathing your dog! Just have a few absorbent towels near-by, as you won’t want to let your dog outside until he has completely dried. Some dogs will tolerate a hair-dryer set on low heat and some will not. I recommend you let him dry naturally to avoid drying out his skin, but you do what works best for you in your climate.
What do I need to bathe my dog?
Before you even drop a hint to your dog that it’s bathtime, gather everything you need so it’s within your reach once the dog is in the tub. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Any of the additional “tools” mentioned in the section above (if you need them).
- An all-natural and gentle dog shampoo.
- A non-skid mat on the bottom of the tub to prevent slipping. if you don’t have one, a bath-towel works well.
- A washcloth or soft brush (or the sprayer brush featured above) to get that shampoo worked all the way down to your dog’s skin.
- 2 or 3 absorbent towels. I say more than one because your dog is going to shake, spraying water everywhere… including on you! It’s good to hold a towel up for that shake I promise. You may want a towel on the floor in front of the tub as well.
What should I do after my dog’s bath?
After you’ve towel-dried your big dog, he’ll likely want to romp around a bit. Keeping him indoors while he’s wet will prevent him from finding any dirt in the yard to roll in. I use an old blanket on the floor for my dog to “dry himself” on. After about ten minutes, give your dog’s coat a thorough brushing, and brush his teeth, too.
You can either use a “finger toothbrush” like the one mentioned in the section above, or a regular canine toothbrush with toothpaste. Please Note: Human toothpaste is toxic to dogs…never use it! Rather find a brand specially formulated for dogs like this one made by Petrodex.
I go all-in and trim my dog’s toenails after his bath, too. Since I’ve done it since he was a pup, he is quite used to the routine.
Is it better to groom my dog myself, or use a groomer?
The two benefits to grooming your dog at home are:
- Home-grooming is less expensive.
- Your dog is more comfortable at home and with you.
The two benefits of using a groomer are:
- Groomers are skilled at cutting a dog’s hair per breed specifications.
- A groomer saves you the work and the need for stocking supplies.
Really, it’s about choosing what works best for you and your dog. You may opt for a semi-annual trip to the groomer’s, and do the grooming at home in between the appointments. If you do plan to do all the grooming at home, you may want to read “Why are Dog-Grooming Scissors Curved?” right here in the Big Dog Den for more information.
I hope some of today’s hints and/or products will be helpful to you in getting your big dog in the bathtub! Life has enough stress as it is without wresting with your dog at bath time, LOL! I value your time and appreciate you visiting the Big Dog Den. As responsible pet owners and dog lovers, we are kindred spirits! I share everything I have learned by raising big dogs to help save you time, errors, and hassles. I hope you’ll stop in again soon!
*This article has been reviewed in accordance with our editorial policy.
