| Today is the day you are going to give your dog a | | | | you take a break and start a pot of coffee. Why |
| bath. You imagine yourself in one of those | | | | not, the morning is shot anyway. |
| commercials. You know the one, the big fluffy dog in | | | | Phase 2. Start the bath. Get dog and put him in the |
| a big tub of water, kids running around, beautiful | | | | bathtub. No problem, your dog does not associate |
| summer day, everyone laughing. It is the perfect | | | | the bathroom with anything yet, so he's game. He |
| Kodak moment. | | | | gets a little nervous in the tub. You talk to him |
| Today is not like that. First off, it is supposed to be | | | | soothingly and let him hang out for a minute. You pet |
| summer outside, but it's 55F degrees and raining. You | | | | him with one hand and grab the sprayer with the |
| let your dog out in the yard while you hang out by | | | | other. You had the foresight to buy one of those |
| the door encouraging him to hurry up. He does, but | | | | doggy shower adapters just for this purpose. Your |
| the moment he gets within 5 feet of you, you gasp. | | | | dog looks a little worried. |
| Your dog has just rolled in the nastiest thing you | | | | You know your shower is quirky, but you have got it |
| have ever smelled. You cannot even imagine where | | | | under control. As long as no one flushes a toilet the |
| he found whatever it was he rolled in. You swear | | | | water pressure and temperature stay the same. Just |
| you were watching him the whole time! | | | | get the dog wet, shampoo, rinse and dry. No |
| Not only that, but he slips by you and gets inside. | | | | problem. You start to spray your dog. |
| This is where he shakes. Shakes. Shakes. Shakes. | | | | YOUR DOG FREAKS OUT. Your dog knew he had a |
| Adding that putrid smell to everything within 10 feet | | | | reason to be worried. Mistake number one...you |
| of the door. You take your canine friend straight to | | | | sprayed his head first. Mistake number two...your dog |
| the garage. All this, and you haven't even had your | | | | has never been in the bathroom. Mistake number |
| morning coffee! | | | | three...You left the bathroom door open and now it's |
| Your dog has never had a bath before. You get this | | | | a mad chase of stinky wet dog through the house. |
| bright idea that today is the day you are going to | | | | Mistake number four...your dog now KNOWS the |
| give him a bath. He weighs 35 pounds, what could | | | | bathroom is evil and he is not going back in there, no |
| possibly be the big deal. After all, the dog in that | | | | matter what! |
| commercial was at least 90 pounds and 8 year old | | | | The moral of this story is when giving your dog a |
| kids handled him just fine. | | | | bath, prepare them for the experience. Introduce the |
| You sift through all your bathroom goods and find a | | | | bathroom to them in a positive way before they |
| baby shampoo. This is a good start. You grab a | | | | have rolled in something stinky. Start the water spray |
| bunch of towels, move things around a bit in the | | | | slowly at their feet. Don't spray their head, gently |
| bathroom so there is room for two. Great. | | | | use a sponge for that. Use a comfortable |
| You go get your dog, who is busy rubbing his new | | | | temperature for the water, not sauna hot or freezer |
| found smell onto everything in the garage. Coffee | | | | cold. Get a friend (or two) to help. Offer treats. Take |
| would make this entire moment just a little brighter | | | | your time. Don't scare your dog. Have your coffee |
| you mutter. Since your dog hasn't left any stone | | | | first. |
| unturned in the "spread the smelly love" department, | | | | |