Join the crowd, Liz. I started a thread yesterday about sweet Klo rolling in stink and my dilemna on washing her, esp. cause it was almost dusk. She'll only accept water on her if i use a sponge or paper towel (from a bucket) and praise her and let her "smell" the water. When I tried dumping the rinse water on her, she went maniac. I had taken her collar off to get to her neck, so had to coax her back to me. She needs a bath too. And it looks like I'll have to enlist the army to help me. I know she'll freak in the shower stall or tub so I don't want to traumatize her. I sometimes use doggy wipes from a pet store, but since they have an aromatic odor, she's not too happy. Yep, she still has funny issues.
Luckily, Cody, being 1/2 lab 1/2 GR, loved the water, especially the hose. Rinsing was the problem because that was "play time" so I had to enlist my mom or a friend to hold him while we squirted him sudsless.
Needless to say, it was a 3 way bath!
I agree, you'll have to tie them. And maybe give a special treat every once in a while? Put the hose on low pressure when you wash and rinse them? I wish you lots of luck from one GSD mommy to another. I know where you're coming from.