Try 4 dogs!!!
I have 4 dogs of various sizes to bathe!!! Talk about BACK PAIN!!! Luckily, I just bought a house that has 2 bathtubs and I have one dedicated to the animals!
My dad gave me a Boarder Collie who introduced fleas to the rest of the dogs. We gave her a bath before I brought her home in a garbage can! However, she was terrified of the hose and the flea spray. We got her bathed but not that well.
Shaggy has to be first because he will hide and bite when he sees the other dogs wet. Scooby had a stroke and is allergic to fleas so he takes longer to bathe. Dirtnap the Eskimo Spitz is going blind/deaf, arthritis, and the fleas hide well. Benji the Boarder Collie HATES baths and will NOT take any kind of spray on her.
I can relate on your issue of handling a big dog in the bathtub!!! Your problem sounds identical to my dog Benji's problems. I panicked with the thought of even attempting to give her a bath after I brought her home.
Here is some good news that may help you. Your dog may be scared of the noise of the running water. You may want to fill up the tub with the water FIRST before inserting the dog. Or have the dog get used to the sound of the running water. Maybe have him/her in the nearby or same room as when you take a bath.
I use a large plastic cup to pour the water over my dogs. Those hose contraptions bought at Pet stores don't fit on my plumbing and they scare the dogs. I also learned that you MUST keep any flea shampoos on the animal for atleast 5 minutes and rubbed into the skin area well.
Benji is doing MUCH better with her baths. I have the water already filled half way and it is kept warm not hot. I pour the cup of water over her and hold her by the collar. I also pet her and tell her good girl. She and the other dogs STILL try to bolt out of the tub but as long as they know I am "Alpha Dog" and in control they will sit there until done.
If this doesn't help get those doggy wipes! They really work!!!
Scooby, Shaggy the "Dogs", Ms. Thang the "Cat" and introducing Measley Weasle "The Ferret".
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