In Dog Quirks: The Funny Little Things They Do I shared that one of Murphy’s quirks is that he hates baths. Which is not such a bad thing. Unlike us humans, it’s not good for a dog’s coat to be washed too frequently anyway.
However, there are those times when he gets a little ripe and we’re forced to take action. Since he hates showers and baths of any manner, we have limited options. (He weighs about 65 pounds, which is very manageable most times. He is very well behaved and listens to most commands. But at the mention of “bath” he gets crazy. No amount of cooing or talking to or commanding will snap him in line.)
So what’s a pair of desperate pet parents to do?
Wait for a Rain Storm
Sad, but true. While Murph despises baths, he doesn’t mind “rain baths.” In fact, that’s the only use of the word “bath” that will get him dancing and prancing around with (happy) excitement. (I believe mostly because he knows the activity “walk” will also accompany it. Or maybe he just likes to see us get wet too…)
This is our preferred method of getting Murph clean, but for those times when we can’t wait for the next rain shower, we have to resort to other options…
Dry Baths
A neighbor once told me that rubbing oatmeal and/or baking soda into Murph’s coat, then brushing him was a gentle, safe, and most importantly non-water way of getting him cleaned. So I tried it. I’m not sure how clean it got him, but he didn’t mind the rub down. (He did smell fresher afterwards, too.) However, this is a very messy option, so if you plan to do it make sure it’s on a nice day when you can be outside.
Baby Wipes
The same neighbor who shared the dry bath method also recommended baby wipes. She used them on her Golden Retrievers almost every morning after brushing them. I did try this on Murph, but it left his coat feeling a little oily.
Sponge Baths
This is our method of last resort, as it does involve a bucket and water. As long as we don’t use a hose and just pour the water on him, he’ll stand relatively still. He does not like this though, so to keep him from getting to an anti-sponge bath state, we only employ this technique when he’s super stinky and dirty. (Like the time he rolled in horse manure.)
If you have a dog that hates baths, maybe one of these tricks might work for you. Or maybe you have other tips to share? I’m always on the lookout!
Related Articles:
Spring Grooming: An Affair of All Seasons
Grooming: Skin and Coat Problems