Baths

[Lilie]

Originally Posted by Sashmom

When I first got Neek I did give him a bath. Now almost a YR later, on 2nd try, he doesnt want anything to do with bathtub. Ive tried throwing pieces of food in, etc he gets the food then gets out fast again or else will just put front paws in and stand there and refuse to get in all the way. This is so frustrating!

Don't you just hate it when our dogs forget to read the manual? I have the same problem with my pup when attempting to use the blow dryer. Can't stand a wet dog running through the house. I just take baby steps - beginning with turning it on while I'm brushing him. When he is still I take the pressure away (turning the dryer off) and we're done. The next time I'll do it a bit longer..etc. Maybe if you get in the bath tub with him (no water) both of you sit down and feed him (treats). When he gets to the point where he jumps in looking for treats (has no pressure) then add some water - you get in, he gets in feed him treats. Keep this up, little by little. Make it part of your daily routine. Therefore, through out the year he'll be using the bath tub regularly, even with out taking a bath.

[Sashmom]

Jean, there is a groomers right up the road. I a thinking of taking him there.
I really didnt get his nails short enough, I just tried to show him that it isnt me torturing him and it would be OK.
His nails were very short when I got him. looked very nice. I told him he couldnt go around with his nails so long, didnt look good LOL
Lilie: the strange thing is when we first got him I gave him a bath! He didnt mind the dryer either. My other GSD absolutely hated it, he would run LOL

[doggiedad]

i feed my dog raw ground beef, cooked boneless and skinless
chicken breast, chicken livers, raw chicken backs, quinoa,
oats, rice, veggies, fruit, sometimes turkey (breast meat).
yesterday for dinner we had boneless beef ribs. our dog
loved it. his ribs had no seasoning on them.

as far as begging. my dog is trained so he doesn't beg. i have a feeling
that people that feed raw are feeding food that humans could use.

Originally Posted by LaRen616

You should never feed your dog people food. It's not good for them and that could cause them to start begging. Bad idea, everyday researchers are finding that more and more different kinds of people food can seriously harm your pets.

[JOSHUA SAMPSON]

Originally Posted by LaRen616

You should never feed your dog people food. It's not good for them and that could cause them to start begging. Bad idea, everyday researchers are finding that more and more different kinds of people food can seriously harm your pets.

myth

I feed raw BARF including table scraps and such. as far as begging goes you have to teach them not to beg, all dogs beg it's in their nature. there are some foods that are toxic todiogs such as grapes/rasins and a few others. you just have to be aware of what is and is not, it's part of knowing how to do the barf diet.

as far as his itching is concerned I have heard of a lot of people going to the BARF diet to "cure" food allergies resulting in lots of itching (in some cases scratching their hides raw) it seems to work. in australia apparently a lot of dogs including working dogs have never started getting kibble. it only started in america after WW1 and 2 and caught on as an easy feed. It's mostly byproducts you wouldnt even use to bake bread now. more than a fad lots of people are going to it.

ok no more soapbox for me tonight gotta finish mudding the basement.

[doggiedad]

SASHMOM:

we had a Grey Hound that wouldn't let us near her feet.
we took her to a groomer and she sat there with no
leash or muzzle and she let the groomer do whatever she wanted.

[Vinnie]

I very rarely bath my dogs. It’s not as necessary as some people make it sound. In fact, bathing too frequently strips a dog’s scalp of the natural oils. Weekly grooming (brushing) seems to work best for my dogs. My vet comments every time we visit how nice my dog’s coats look.

I agree with Jean here. If your dog really needs the bath (is smelly), start out using a groomer. They’ve got all sorts of fancy contraptions built just for dogs. And they do a great job with the nails. It's funny how well most dogs respond to a good groomer.

Keep playing with your dogs feet when you’re home to get him use to you touching them. Because my dogs are older now I lay on the floor with them when I clip the nails. This way I’m not pulling their legs up in the air and making them uncomfortable. That just makes clipping unpleasant for them and then they don’t want to cooperate.

[Lauri & The Gang]

Originally Posted by Sashmom

When I first got Neek I did give him a bath. Now almost a YR later, on 2nd try, he doesnt want anything to do with bathtub. Ive tried throwing pieces of food in, etc he gets the food then gets out fast again or else will just put front paws in and stand there and refuse to get in all the way. This is so frustrating!
I also had to muzzle him to cut his nails.
If you have any ideas on coaxing him into taking a bath Id sure appreciate it. I try to stay calm ut I do end up pretty mad LOL

Check out the advice I gave in this thread:

Fear of Bathtub

If the dog absolutely needs a bath now I would see if you can find a self-wash place and take him there. Try NOT to force the issue at home or you set yourself back ... WAAAAY back.

[Lauri & The Gang]

Originally Posted by LaRen616

You should never feed your dog people food. It's not good for them and that could cause them to start begging. Bad idea, everyday researchers are finding that more and more different kinds of people food can seriously harm your pets.

Guess those 'researchers' passed by my house.

All my dogs eat IS people food. Raw yes but with the occasional leftover pizza crust or raisin-less oatmeal cookie thrown in for fun.

Begging is a behavior that has NOTHING to do with what the dog is fed.

[Lauri & The Gang]

Originally Posted by Vinnie

I very rarely bath my dogs. It’s not as necessary as some people make it sound. In fact, bathing too frequently strips a dog’s scalp of the natural oils. Weekly grooming (brushing) seems to work best for my dogs.

I'll second what Vinnie said with a caveat - I RINSE my guys almost daily right now. We have Mud Central at the entrance to our field so every time the dogs come in the house they get lead into our downstairs shower and rinsed with plain water.

[Josiebear]

For those that are having a hard time getting their dogs in the bathtub for a bath i recommend you to watch this

I tried it with Josie and it WORKS!!

YouTube - Dog Training: How to Teach Your Dog to Enjoy Taking a Bath Part 1

YouTube - Dog Training: How to Teach Your Dog to Enjoy Taking a Bath Part 1

YouTube - Dog Training: How to Teach Your Dog to Enjoy Taking a Bath Part 2

YouTube - Dog Training: How to Teach Your Dog to Enjoy Taking a Bath Part 2