Does it get any better or suggestions

ngraham · Post by **ngraham** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 3:55 pm

OK... I need some advice here. LOL I have had Koda for a little over 4 weeks now. I just gave him his second bath... the first was 2 weeks ago after I had given him a couple weeks to get used to his new surroundings and get comfortable with us. The first bath he needed... I don't think he'd ever had a bath before, so of course he was dirty and he was itching and the vet found flea dirt... so I bought some Frontline from the vet for him and gave him a bath 2 weeks ago. The water had to be changed 2 diifferent times he was so dirty.

We waited 2 days, put the Frontline on him and he has quit itching. But I had to give him a bath tonight. It wasn't that he was dirty, but between the snow melting, Sam (our mixed breed) mauling him and then my daughter's pup being here last night and this morning and mauling all over Koda, Koda looked nasty and he smelled. LOL So it was bath time again tonight. Besides the fact that I am not so sure it's a good idea to give Koda baths so often, Koda hates it. The first bath I expected him to get upset over, but after about 5 minutes of trying to reassure him and scrubbing him anyway, he finally calmed down enough to let me finish giving him his bath. Tonight he never did quit crying.

He makes me feel so guilty.

My Sasah didn't particularly like her bath either, but she sure didn't throw the fit Koda does, and with her being the only dog, I didn't have to give her a bath as often. How often do you guys have to give your chowdren baths and is there anything else I can use instead of having to give him a bath every 2 weeks? I sure hate doing that to him, but I hate having him smell and look ratty. I do brush him daily (something else he doesn;t particularly care for), but at this point brushing him wasn't even helping.

What can I do?

simbasmom · Post by **simbasmom** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 5:46 pm

I know how you feel, Coco hates the bath too. He makes me feel like a really bad chowling mommy, because he cries so much. I too would like any suggestions on how to make bathtime a more enjoyable experience for the 2 of us. I have only given him one bath since he came to live with us, about 6 weeks ago.

Rogansmommy · Post by **Rogansmommy** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 6:15 pm

I can't say that Rogue has every LIKED bathing, but he does tolerate it. He learned a long time ago that it was going to happen whether he liked it or not. The less he fights, the shorter the indignity.

As for the flea meds... our rottie is allergic to Frontline. We just buy the 'cheap stuff' (I think it's Advantage) and that works for her just fine.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 7:09 pm

I suppose I am lucky that Chingers likes baths but what I do with his "daily dirties" is if he comes in all nasty and muddy, I will put him in his crate or playpen until he is dry, once he is dry, he gets a good brushing and the dirt comes right off. It has gotten soooo much easier to keep him clean.

ngraham · Post by **ngraham** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 8:23 pm

Koda actually cries and whines. I really felt bad. He is going to have to accept the fact that baths are going to happen regardless... but again, I am not so sure that a bath every 2 weeks is good for him and getting him upset like that makes me feel like a bad mommy. I just wondered if there was an alternative for bathing so often. On the uphill side... he sure is pretty tonight all clean and brushed. But boy can he cop an attitude. LOL The water tonight wasn't even dirty... so I know dirt wise, a bath was not necessary yet. He just smelled and looked so ratty. That crying he does really gets to me.

As far as the Frontline goes.... Koda did fine with it. We use Frontline on our cats and Sam also. I hate watching an animal of any kind have to suffer with fleas. I had to wait 2 days after Koda had a bath to put the Frontline on him, but less than a day later, Koda had quit scratching. So I know it helped.
Grooming is getting a bit better. Still not what it was with Sasha, but I started out grooming her when she was 5 weeks old sitting on my lap every morning while I drank my coffee before I had to get ready for work. Koda was 8 weeks when I got him and I don't think he'd had much experience with being brushed. Plus he is alot more hyper a Chow then Sasha ever was.

kiwani · Post by **kiwani** » Sun Dec 18, 2005 3:44 am

You might try one of the "waterless, no rinse, spray on shampoos". You could pour some of it on a damp washcloth and spot clean the dirt before it gets embedded in the coat or skin. The one I've tried lathers well, deodorizes, conditions, and is tearless too. I've used it on invalid dogs and it's safe to use on pups. There are also scented dry shampoos.

Keeping the dirt in check this way, lengthens the time between baths, and it shortens bath time too. I have found that it's easier on pups to keep bath times short, until they get used to the sensation. I might just bathe the legs and belly, if those are the worst soiled areas for example, and just do a quick 'freshening up' on the rest until next time.

Post by **kingalls** » Sun Dec 18, 2005 7:53 am

Mr. Nahkohe has never had a bath. I have had him since 9 weeks old and he will be 2 next month. He hates water. I have him professionally groomed every 5-6 weeks. I have mentioned it before but the groomer loves his coat. He was just groomed on Friday and he's quite the beauty. His fur glistens. I try to brush him daily but I'm not able to get as good a brushing as the groomer. The groomer discourages frequent shampoos unless you have to do it for a show dog. Then you have to keep putting the stuff back into the fur to keep it from getting dry. I don't remember which book I read but it was stated that Chows shouldn't be bathed more than twice a year.
Shiloh jumps into her kiddie pool on a daily basis. She doesn't need much more than the grooming I give her. I haven't given her a shampoo. Her coat is really nice too.
As for the smell...I hope you're not mistaking the natural Chow smell. They have a distinct smell that you can't wash away. Some people think that other dogs go after Chows because of that smell.

Karen

willowchow · Post by **willowchow** » Sun Dec 18, 2005 10:06 am

When Willow first came she was getting a bath first weekly then we gradually tapered it off. It also depends on her activities and the weather, sometimes she's really "ready" for grooming and other times she could probably go another week or so. I'd just go by what he looks and feels like as far as how often. The vet told me she COULD be done weekly, but if it's not necessary it's better for the natural oils of the skin, etc to be done less.

I take Willow once a month to be professionally done. I 'm so lucky the guy who does her is wonderful and a professional trainer. He tells me she only growls when it's time to do her nails.

In between, I use the doggie wipes from Petco or Petsmart and brush her and sometimes I use a little freshening spray too. If she's out walking in rain or snow I use a towel and wipe her off when she gets in.

I didn't even try to deal with doing her at home. It would just be too much.

Post by **Auddymay** » Sun Dec 18, 2005 11:54 am

When Lily was first here, she was 12 weeks old. She got several baths over a short time because when she and Pip played, Lily got rolled in the dirt and grabbed alot around her neck. The combination actually made mud... I also brushed her alot, but she still always looked 'moussed'.When winter hit the dirt disappeared, but now we have the wet dog smell. The two were outside playing in the snow for about an hour a few days ago. Pip came in dry, and Lily looked like she got rolled down a ski slope.

Baths are hated, but tolerated, unless you count trying to escape every chance one gets as intolerant... she enjoys brushing, thank goodness. Especially her undercoat. For Christmas, Santa Paws is bringing spray deoderant for the stocking!

chow0 · Post by **chow0** » Sun Dec 18, 2005 4:07 pm

i think i stumbled onto something, i've always let my pup have full run of my home. as a pup they follow you everywhere, even in the bathroom when you shower. at first he would bark at me when i closed the shower curtain so i would leave it open about a foot or 2 so he could look in. then when i was toweling off he would try to grab, pull and chew on the towels, this went on for maybe 6-8 weeks before he started laying outside the bathroom door, although he still comes in and looks, tries to lick the water, he never barks or tries to get the towels! now for the good part

he has become so familar and feels so safe in the bathroom that giving him a bath has become no problem what so ever. now keep in mind threw this whole process i never yelled at him or anything, if he barked i opened the curtain
and said shsssssss it's ok, when he grabbed the towel i said let go of that i need to dry off. i know it sound crazy and sometimes i can't even believe it!

...... but it worked.

<img src="http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d108/ ... C00413.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

Mandy · Post by **Mandy** » Sun Dec 18, 2005 7:27 pm

We have had Chewie for 12 months and he has had 1 bath. He happened to get super muddy on a play date at a dog park so we had to give him a bath. He tolerated it just fine. We groom him constantly and we have grown to love the "chow smell!" We plan to give him a bath soon just to help him out while he is blowing his puppy coat. Poor baby is loosing so much fur! We brush him every day to help but you can just see that he is uncomfortable. It is 0 degrees out today and I just wish he had his big fluffy coat instead of this patchy thin stuff that is just growing in! We agree that the chows shouldn't get many baths unless you have no other choice. They loose the oils that keep their coat and skin healthy when they are bathed too often. I would also advise to try the dry shampoo or conditioners for Koda's coat. Help him learn to love grooming time by making that a time for treats, massages, cuddles... anything he really likes. Talk softly to him and groom in short spurts to start and build up to longer times as he calms down. Good Luck!

Mandy

loverman · Post by **loverman** » Sun Dec 18, 2005 9:25 pm

Maybe this would help...I put her collar and leash on and get in the tub with her. I put my foot on the leash and that leaves both hands free. I hold the hand-held shower thing in one hand and use the other to shampoo. I work my way section by section thouroughly washing then rinsing and keep the head to the end (she hates water in her face). By not submerging her in water, she seems to view it as less terrible. I use Pantene smooth and silky shampoo and conditioner, which makes my hair smooth and silky and seems to do the same for hers. She rarely scratches so it seems to work. Without the leash, she jumps out of the tub though which shows me that this isn't something she likes!