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How do I train for this issue? Willy at bath time

Posted : 11/20/2012 5:09:18 PM

I'm drawing a blank, so thought I'd ask.

Being a bichon, Willy had to get a bath about every 2 weeks. The last 2 times, he has decided he is NOT having a bath, and he hides under the coffee table. Won't come out. Not for treats, not for "come" which is otherwise over 95%, not to go "outie side" nope. So I start moving furniture to get him. I take a leash, slip the handle through a collar so now I have a slip lead, and "lasso" him. Once he feels the leash around his neck, he is FINE, calms down, walks in to the kitchen with me, allows me to pick him up and set him in the sink, and off we go.

Lassoing him has become a chore, he snarls and growls, grabs the leash and yanks it, snaps at me. This last time -- Friday -- he connected and bit my hand. Willy has not bitten me in almost a year!

He knows it is bath time, it takes me 20 minutes to set up the grooming table, get the equipment out - dryer, clippers, combs, brushes, shampoo, conditioner, sink mat, it's a big deal. Here he is on the grooming table, this is from Feb of this year. You can see it is quite a set up for a bichon! [img]http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2012/Feb%2014th%20Valentine%20Pics/IMG_4912Small.jpg[/img]

I don't know what happened 3 times back, that he started this the last 2 times. Any info greatly appreciated!

calliecritturs

Posted : 11/20/2012 11:43:54 PM

I would start HOURS before you are going to bathe him and I would come in from the last "walk" and just drop the leash and let him drag the leash while he's inside. IN other words, get ahead of the game (even if you have to do this OTHER times when you are not going to bathe him so it's not JUST a 'bath time' thing)

But that way you'd already have the leash so you don't need to 'catch' him

Alternative? Get a couple of long long lengths of ribbon and let him drag that -- but any sort of a leash says "human in control".

Next -- make it fun-ner. *grin* Ahead of time make a small baggie of **high value** treats -- so the slightest tug on the leash and he comes out of his hidey hole "GOOD BOY!" ... and then another one when you pick him up and another when he gets IN the basin.

But the kicker -- and this works SO well -- make another baggie of something yummy and mooshey -- like mashed potato & meat juice, or baby food meat, or tahini or ANYTHING pretty liquidy!! Add a tiny bit of honey to some Greek yogurt -- be creative. PUT THAT GUNK in a small baggie and zip it up. Then snip just the tiniest corner off one corner.

When he gets in the basin for the bath, take that baggie and smear that liquidy goodie around the inside of the sink. This will keep him busy (and he will also look forward to this yummy thing) -- and you can always reach for it and smear more around the sink if you need to.

I assume the grooming table is no biggie?

I've done the above MANY times with a demodex dog who has decided he's not gonna get bathed (and this has to happen every couple of days with demodex!!)

Freedom

Posted : 11/21/2012 7:39:54 AM

calliecritturs
I would start HOURS before you are going to bathe him and I would come in from the last "walk" and just drop the leash and let him drag the leash while he's inside. IN other words, get ahead of the game (even if you have to do this OTHER times when you are not going to bathe him so it's not JUST a 'bath time' thing)
But that way you'd already have the leash so you don't need to 'catch' him

GREAT idea! Thanks! Once he is leashed, no issues. Sink, grooming table, all fine. We usually go through one hot dog cut in bits for treats all through the process. Sometimes 1.5 hot dogs. It is just "getting" him which has become problematic.

griffinej5

Posted : 11/21/2012 7:05:23 PM

I'd try practicing catching him and taking him to the set up when you aren't going to wash him. Bring him to it, give him a treat, and let him go.

Freedom

Posted : 11/21/2012 7:36:11 PM

griffinej5
I'd try practicing catching him and taking him to the set up when you aren't going to wash him. Bring him to it, give him a treat, and let him go.

Hmm, I only set it up once every 2 weeks, so it would be a bath day for him. But I suppose I could do that, let him go and work another dog. It was the "catching" him he went crazy about.