Help! I just discovered today that I have stupidly given my pup a ridiculous fear.My GSD just turned 6 mo.old and since she was 10weeks old she has had about 3 baths,and every time it has been a struggle.I realize now I must have gone about it the wrong way but basically what I did was take her outside,hold her tight on a short leash and wet her down good with the garden hose and nozzle on (low pressure)then I lather her up.through-out this she has always fought me constantly trying to get away like she hated it.The worst part is the rinsing,her last bath she got away from me and took off running around the yard covered in shampoo,of course I stupidly gave chase with the hose thinking I had to get that soap off of her one way or the other,anyway when I finally cornered her(my yard is fenced)I grabbed the leash and attempted to start rinsing again,as soon as I squeezed the nozzle and she heard the hiss of the water coming out she snapped.Wether it was at the nozzle or my hand squeezing it I dont know and did`nt wait to find out,I had the leash in my other hand and quickly crossed her eyes for her. I know Im being long winded but I want to give the background so I can get the best advice on what to do now.Anyway to make a long story short this happened about 5weeks ago and I have since given up on bathing her.She has never really needed one badly I just like to keep her smelling nice and clean,I use the bath wipes now and she loves it,she thinks it`s a rub down and it`s stress free.Now to the gist of my problem,the first thing I ever taught her was her name and to come when called,she has never not come when I called her no matter what.Today I had her with me outside and decided to wash the car as soon as I brought out the water hose she took off!and even when I called her she would not come to me she just circled around me eyeing that hose ears laid back head low.When I put the hose down and stepped away from it she came to me.She is 6mo.old and from good working lines and does really well in obedience and I had hoped to eventually get into protection work with her but at this point if the bad guy ever pulled out a sptay nozzle her fight would be flight.Can this behavior be fixed, and how?

What do you expect the dog to think... last time you called her name with the hose you chased her down and crossed her eyes. Dogs are very simple in that you did A I got B. I will avoid A from now on so that I do not get B.

Oh, yeah... I forgot the good news..

Todd is the only person who actively carries water bottles around all the time, so unless he tries to attack you or you get in a fight with the Orkin man you should be ok. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Its funny you mention that. When I am teaching a class I wear a water bottle like a six gun hanging on my right pocket. Have it set for 'stun'LOL
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Funny this thread, I too had the same problem with my pups first "rinse" after an ocean swim, he did not like the hose one little bit! The answer is so stupid you will laugh I'm sure.

Play with Prey! Aint that great? I waited a couple of days and then took the hose out and fired the stream on the ground until he got courious because I was having so much fun with it, then he started to chase and try and bite it, couple times of this game and he was chasing that stream like a pro, biting and chasing round and round, then I added in a couple of fast side hits with the stream and so on and so on over a month or two, now when I go out back he goes to the hose... "DAD SQUIRT ME SQUIRT ME, LETS PLAY HOSE!"

You will soon have a dog that loves the hose!

...aber Leute lieben ausgebildete Hunde.

The grammar fascist has arrived. Who's next?? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

But anyway, it would seem that a GSD would have to be bathed quite infrequently, unless acutely contaminated, right?

Unless of course bathing so many times within 6 months is simply a means to get the dog used to it....? This case not-withstanding in which she simply likes the pleasant aroma. But still...isn't there a bit of healthy weather-proofing from the naturally occuring oils and what-not that one shouldn't really strip away on a regular basis?

I had the same problem with my pup who was born in May and the breeder had tied all the puppies (10) in the litter to a post one at a time and "hosed them down" (bad flea problem and had to do something he said) what a way to imprint on a pup to be scared of the hose - if I even touched the hose he would get worried much less chase him around the yard with it.

So I started slow - just moving the hose ..... then after a couple of weeks of that I moved it while the water was turned on ..... it has a leak so made a small hissing sound.

Then I started squirting the bushes and the ground ..... and just like lonnie b said I also turned prey into play - it worked for me too - Ike now tries to eat / chase the stream of water and sometimes gets so excited biting the water up towards the hose I have to be careful he doesn't get me! Good Luck! PS: I forgot to say - if you turn this into a game so he looks forward to chasing the water ..... don't expect to easily use the hose for its intended use .....

Bathing a dog should be a pleasant experience that the dog enjoys. And like anything else you teach or introduce the dog to..SLOW IS BEST!
You'll need a couple of beach towels; wash cloth, sponge, bucket, and whatever shampoo you choose.

Begin by filling a bucket with water and have sponge/wash cloth on hand. Sponge the dog down with water first starting at the back of the head, back, belly, tail, then down the legs..slowly. With the washcloth moist but not dripping; gently moisten the dog's face being carefull not to drip water down the ear canal. Then PRAISE PRAISE PRAISE!!!!

Now..turn the water hose on without a pressure nozzel so the water is flowing but not full force. Start at the the top of the front legs and allow the water to gently roll down the legs. PRAISE PRAISE PRAISE! Continue with the stream of water to the rear legs and then gently apply the water to the back of the dog. PRAISE PRAISE PRAISE!

Leave the hose running on the gentle stream next to you and lather soap within your hands and then the body of the dog starting at the base of the head, back, belly and legs. Save the face and ears for the washcloth. Change the water within the bucket for rinse and repeat the first step. Then use the gentle stream from the hose to finish. Always use a washcloth or sponge that isn't dripping around the face and ears. NEVER squirt the dog in the face area with the hose.

Sure..this method is going to take some time devotion on your part but the end result will be of a positive one for the dog and remember PRAISE, PRAISE, PRAISE!!!!

But anyway, it would seem that a GSD would have to be bathed quite infrequently, unless acutely contaminated, right?
Herin lies the key of all bathing. I have given one bath in 10 months, even then it was just a quick suds up and rinse. The natural oils are soooo important in keeping the dog dry when swimming and weather proofing, washing them away can only lead to dry skin and other problems....hate to press the point, want a good smelling dog, feed raw.

That's what I figured. Thanks.

psst...you're almost there. Drop the last "aus" from your signature. http://www.leerburg.com/ubb//icons/icon14.gif