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