If Dogs Like to Swim, Why Don't They Like Baths?

Every time you take your dog to the lake or even let him out near the pool, he goes diving in without any hesitation. But for whatever reason, the split second you try to lure him into the tub to clean him off, he panics, places all four paws firmly on the ground and howls in fear. He̵7;s clearly not afraid of water, but something about bath time puts him into a frenzy. Odds are his previous bathing episodes weren̵7;t that fun for him.

  1. Being Tied Down

    • When Sparky goes for a swim, he gets in and out as he pleases -- nothing holds him back. But when you bath him or drop him off at the groomer, he gets tied down, or at least held in place. This sense of not being able to free himself puts him into panic mode. If you force him down and hose him in the face, he̵7;ll learn to despise his soapy soaks in an instant. Keep bathing a positive experience by bribing him to get in with treats, praising him and having someone rub him down during the process. No matter how much he squirms and whines, stay positive. Your barking buddy picks up on any negative vibes.

    Fear of Slipping

    • You probably have a hard enough time standing on your own two feet while trying to shower. Imagine how poor Sparky feels; he has four feet to balance on. Every time you plop him in the tub, he tenses up while trying to keep his footing. He doesn̵7;t like sliding around, since it makes him feel uneasy, like he̵7;s not in control. Try putting a rubber mat or grip stickers at the bottom of your tub. You may also want to bathe him out in the yard -- weather permitting, of course. His fear of slipping and plunging into the soapy water should go away.

    Soapy Burn

    • Getting soap into your eyes quickly makes you tear up. Of course you have the means to run your eyes under running water and get rid of that burning sensation. All that Sparky knows is that he was blissfully enjoying his bubbly rubdown and then suddenly fire struck his face. He couldn̵7;t see, something was blinding him and he felt this horrific pain in his eyes. With just that one instance of soap in the eyes, your furry friend quickly learned that bath time is incredibly unpleasant. The next time you bath him, opt for a shampoo that is tear-free and no matter what, keep it away from his face. Just rinse his face with warm water or wipe his snout with a wet cloth.

    Rubbery Feeling

    • Most likely, you cringe every time you̵7;re at the doctor and he snaps those rubber gloves into place. Then to top it off, he has to perform the entire exam with his rubbery hands. It feels unnatural and uncomfortable. Same goes for your pooch when that bath water starts running. He sees you slip on those rubbery gloves and decides to make a run for it. After all, rubber gloves can tug and pull at his fur, making bathing unpleasant. Try skipping rubber gloves all together, which could completely nix his bathing fear.