Need suggestions on bathing a dog, please.

[Why Syzygy]

Shih Tzu. I'm going to look up a 'professional' site when I'm much more rested. Meanwhile, I thought you guys would have some good tactics. I gave her a bath a couple of weeks ago in the bathroom sink. She knows how to swim! She is really too big for that by now.

Maybe this question should embarrass me. But I've always had cats and was only a spectator of dog bathing.
I can certainly now understand the appeal of dog groomers.

:hi: Thanks!

[roody]

1. I used to take my small dogs into the shower with me.

One at a time, of course.

[Why Syzygy]

2. That's not a bad idea.

She is so wiggly, I might not be able to hold her the entire time.
How concerned do I need to be about water getting in her eyes?

[elleng]

3. Hi! Fancy meeting you here!

Water? No problem. Sounds like bathtub might be the place, tho YOUR comfort can't be guaranteed! Have fun!

:hi:

[livetohike]

4. I've always had large dogs, but if you have a utility sink

in your laundry room or basement, that might be the right size. For my dogs, they get a bath outdoors with the hose :-).

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

7. That's how I bathe mine, It's easier on the back

than the hooman bathtub. A grooming table is a good investment for those with a bad back ( or old bones). It makes trimming, brushing and drying easier.

[japple]

5. I bathe mine in the bathtub and use a sprayer attachment.

She is a small JRT mix and is usually very wiggly. My brother and his wife have had Shih Tzu's for years and they always take them in the shower with them. Their current dogs are middle aged, and they've started keeping them clipped in the summer (puppy cuts)since we live in the hot, humid South.

[Why Syzygy]

6. After I bathed her in the sink ..

I found out that Shih Tzus are half hair. Her body is teenie. :rofl:

[northernlights]

8. I bring mine into the shower with me

No problem with water or soap in eyes. Then I leave him alone inside with door closed to shake himself out while I dry myself outside the stall. I don't let him out until I'm re-dressed and can catch him in a towel to continue the drying before he shakes all over the walls :D

Until the weather is really warm, and then I take him swimming in a nearby pond or the ocean. And rinse him outside with the hose.

[Why Syzygy]

9. That seems to be the preferred method.

I've been putting her in the dry tub while I'm in the bathroom (she always comes in the room with me . of course!).

Dry run, so to speak. :D

[Myrina]

10. Either in the shower with me, or in a small 'kiddie size' pool ...

My first dog used to automatically head to the bathroom and get in the shower when we got home from walks because he knew (and appreciated, in the summer months I think) that it was time for a shower.

But now that I have 2, I got one of those little kid's plastic swimming pools and keep it in my basement, near the washtub/faucet.
I have a garden hose attached to the faucet so I can make sure they're not getting too hot/too cold of water, and I also keep their
shampoo and a couple beach towels nearby. Instant doggy spa!


:)

[glinda]

11. kiddie pool outdoors in my yard works pretty good for my large dogs

and I use the garden hose while it still has warm water in it from the sun to rinse.

[undeterred]

12. I just tried to give Ollie a bath.

This is the dog I can't keep out of the lakes because he loves the water so much. 63 lbs. Well he barely tolerated being put in the tub and doused with water and shampoo. I did get a good soapup going but when I started pouring a pitcher of warm water over to rinse him he fought me desperately to get away. I got scratched and the bathroom is soaked. I don't understand his response.

[Why Syzygy]

13. That's what happened when I

bathed her in the sink. She tried to swim out. She is much larger now. And stronger.

I've realized that I may not be able to use the shared shower route because I need my glasses. Perhaps the blur won't interfere?

[njlib]

14. Just bathed both of mine today

They're both 11...87 lbs. & 55 lbs...and hop right into the tub like puppies if there's a cookie involved! They're pretty well-behaved in the tub and I think the warm water felt good on Buster's old arthritic bones. We had a nice sunny day today, not too hot, so it was outside to finish drying off when they were done. Of course, now I'm washing all the couch covers and the house still smells like wet dog...but everyone's handsome, pretty, and happy!