Washing a 100 pound Old English Sheepdog-- a success story?
Wow, times have changed. I got him all brushed out last night so I figured I'd just toss him in the tub today, lickety split, wash him up, blot him a little and then maybe take him for a walk to dry out a little more. Just hoisting his tubby butt in the tub was a chore! He hasn't been in the tub for so long that he didn't love it like he used to. He made an attempt to escape once, which resulted in him landing in my lap (I don't know why I thought I should try wearing pants and a tee shirt for a bath, I was soaked to the bone in about 5 minutes). Then he pulled the old head-hanging-out-of-the-tub move and I had to make sure he wasn't going to lead with the head and make an escape again. Did I mention I'm sweating like a pig now already because it's 90 degrees today? In October? In Michigan? I start the initial rinse and go from bottom to top, back to front. When I get to the front, I look back at the butt and it's, for the most part, dry. Sigh! So I decide to wash in sections because between the heat and the lack of hard water pressure, this boy isn't going to stay soaking wet. I turn to grab the shampoo and when I turn around, he has decided to just lie down in the tub... and won't get back up. So, I try to reason with him. No response. I try promising food when we're done. Still no movement. I resort to begging. He sighs. I squirted his head with the shower head and told him there was more where that came from if he didn't get up. Success! He's up! I'll spare you the details of the rest of the bath. Other than what seemed like hours of rinsing, it mainly consisted of a lot of grunting, whining and panting-- from both Clyde and me. He's more than happy to exit the tub when I tell him to but I make him shake first. I'm feeling pretty good about myself that he listened to the shake command and he's feeling good about it too. So good, he shook about 6 more times when he got out of the tub, too, leaving not a single surface dry. I blot him with eleven towels and I'm seriously on the verge of heat exhaustion so I open the bathroom door and send Clyde downstairs. (The grooming table's down there.) Bear decided on the way that Clyde needed to be knocked around a bit so, in an Andy Capp style cloud of fury, they wrestle from one end of the house to the other, completely ignoring my pleas to not get everything wet. It is at this point that I realize 11 towels have not even made a dent in this wet dog because, like the bathroom, the entire lower level of the house is also drenched. Anyway, I walk Clyde around the block a couple of times to drip dry a bit and we return home for the blow drying. Luckily, he's now exhausted and lets me do whatever I want so the blow drying goes fine, although it takes a couple of hours. Total time spent, including cleanup and drying of the house: about 6 hours. Next time, he's going to the groomer! It's well worth the money to save the blood, sweat and tears it apparently takes to wash him now, at least with the facility I have available at home. Maybe with a sweet groomer's style tub that I can stand at will change my mind in the future but, right now, my back can barely hack it. On the plus side, he does look great. I haven't seen him look this white for a long, long time. 
Unfortunately, this is as white as his face gets. 
Bear did not get a bath but he couldn't stand not being part of the fun. He's an attention hound! I chopped all the cords off of his face a few days ago though so it's kind of like a bath since his head doesn't smell as bad. 
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Very funny,  !
Seriously, it is not always that bad! I bathe ours in our tub too. Luckily, Chewie just stands there (obedience trained dogs are SO WONDERFUL!) He is trained also to shake on command. I usually pull the shower curtain, tell him "shake" and let him get a good shake or 2. Then he steps out onto the towel, and I towel dry him with 2 towels. Then we heel out to the grooming table, successfully going through 2 rooms unscathed! Up onto the table (the baby still thinks I need to lift him up!)  and he stands on a new towel strategically placed there before the bath. Then the dryer time starts and takes a couple hours, if the whole body got washed.
They both look very clean, I bet they smell wonderful!  |
| I cringe when it's bath time. Even if you have the best dogs in the world, the task is so tedious. I feel for you! At least the reward is great <prays for no muddy rain>
Bear looks like such a lamb. Hard to believe he's a strong dominant dog! |
| Clyde looks so nice and clean with his big smile. Bear is adorable as ever. We bath Violet and China weekly and you would think that it would get easier in time....Violet will soon be 5 and China 4. Violet does ok, when she is rounded up for the bath she does come but has her head down and will step into the bathtub. She needs her rearend boosted in due to hd, and will just stand while washed a will shake once or twice when done and then run around the house like a maniac. China, on the other hand, Chuck has to carry her in because she will lay on the ground and not get up no matter what you do. So he carries her in and sets her in the tup. She will stand through it all, but is not happy. She also shakes off when done and as soon as she comes out Violet will go after her, so I lock Violet away in the bedroom for a while until China settles down somewhere.....and is safe. I do blow Violet dry and she usually falls to sleep during the drying. Anyway, they always look so great and smell so good when it is all said and done.
Thank you for sharing your great story with us Jill. 90 in Michigan, your sinuses must be going crazy! |
| Oh bless you. That was so funny it cheered me up. Hubby used to clip our old dog, and then next day me and son used to hoist he in the bath. She stood so good but you had to be quick as she had a very short attention span. New puppy hasnt had a bath yet! Where we got her from the owner has a grooming parlour near him that only charges £25 for the lot, clip, bath, glands, feet, ears you name it. Round near me they charge £70 - £90. She wont be due for a clip for ages though yet.
Bye the bye when do their puppy teeth start falling out? |
| I have a very good visual of the whole process and it is quite amusing. It really is a job even when they're used to being in the tub at home.
I gave both the wigglebums a bath yesterday, too. I have a system worked out, though, where the first one to get a bath goes into their crate and lies down on a comforter or some other absorbant material while the second one gets bathed. That way they get a good hour of air drying before I get them on the table to be dried. Then, while the first one is getting dried, the second one air dries, too. They're still VERY wet when they get on the table, though. It takes a good two hours to dry them and they've only got about five inches of hair right now. I'm trying to let them grow out again, but I desperately need to spend some time stripping out some undercoat. And, like you, I'm a soaking wet, hot sweaty mess when I'm finished. This is why I never understand how people can take their dogs to these self wash places. No way I'm being seen in public they way I look when I give these two a bath. |
| Thanks for sharing. I often thought I should be bathing my guys myself. Now I know better. |
Beaureguard's Mom wrote: And, like you, I'm a soaking wet, hot sweaty mess when I'm finished.
This is why I never understand how people can take their dogs to these self wash places. No way I'm being seen in public they way I look when I give these two a bath. I know! People always say that to me. Why don't you take them to one of those do it yourself places? Not only would the experience be similar, in terms of work and sweating, but I'm going to wind up spending the entire day there anyway. At least at home, I know where everything is, I can change if things get too messy and at home and no one is watching the whole thing play out. No thanks! Normally, I don't think the process would be such a big deal if Clyde wasn't so overgrown. He was trimmed once but even now, I realize he still has way too much coat. I don't think I took his sides down enough to match the top so he still has quite a skirting of hair coming from his sides and there's a lot of it. I'm gonna knock that down and hope the next time in the tub goes easier! |
ButtersStotch wrote: People always say that to me. Why don't you take them to one of those do it yourself places? There are some advantages...
The tub is at standing height (of course that means a big lift getting them in ) they clean up the water mess (no damage to your tiles or sub-floor) they give you a nice plastic apron to keep you from winning the wet T-shirt contest (you get wet, but nobody can see ) they provide the hot water, shampoo, conditioner, drying towels and they have a high-power dryer. I think they charge $12 per dog.
That said, Joan usually washes Mulligan in the tub. Hops right in with him.
EDIT: I mean the tub AT HOME! LOL |
ButtersStotch wrote: Normally, I don't think the process would be such a big deal if Clyde wasn't so overgrown. He was trimmed once but even now, I realize he still has way too much coat. I don't think I took his sides down enough to match the top so he still has quite a skirting of hair coming from his sides and there's a lot of it. I'm gonna knock that down and hope the next time in the tub goes easier!
Don't make me come back to Michigan and put the hammer down!!!! |
| I have never heard of a d.i.y. bath place for dogs not in the UK anyway. We got drive in car washes suppose that would be useful. |
Ron wrote: ButtersStotch wrote: People always say that to me. Why don't you take them to one of those do it yourself places? There are some advantages...The tub is at standing height (of course that means a big lift getting them in ) they clean up the water mess (no damage to your tiles or sub-floor) they give you a nice plastic apron to keep you from winning the wet T-shirt contest (you get wet, but nobody can see ) they provide the hot water, shampoo, conditioner, drying towels and they have a high-power dryer. I think they charge $12 per dog.All of the above...PLUS... you don't lift them up. There are steps for the dog to walk up to get to the bathing area... The hoses are fantastic, nice spray and in handy places, so less time is needed. You can tether your dog so he stays standing. The plastic aprons are awesome, so you can reach and trun the wet dog around without that cold, wet feeling. The dryers are awesome. They have the kind that blow into the crates that they have available (I would never use them, though). Plus the ones with only air, no heat, plus ones with heat, several models to choose from. They have a selection of brushes, shampoos, etc. Use all the towels you want. The last time we went we did both Bosley (in fairly long coat) and Dixie (in moderate length) in an hour and a half. That was with 2 people, but we didn't dry Dixie there...she was too frightened... We were not hot and sweaty and wet. And because it is quick, I found the dogs were not so impatient. And I do find that they are better in a strange place, because they are less enclined to want to leave thier humans... |
KTB wrote: I have never heard of a d.i.y. bath place for dogs not in the UK anyway. We got drive in car washes suppose that would be useful. As a matter of fact [giggle] the dog wash is part of the same building [giggle] as a car wash. |
Ron wrote: KTB wrote: I have never heard of a d.i.y. bath place for dogs not in the UK anyway. We got drive in car washes suppose that would be useful. As a matter of fact [giggle] the dog wash is part of the same building [giggle] as a car wash. OMG mind you dont get mixed up then! |
| Where I live, it's about $30 for a DIY near me. If I want to drive 20 miles, it's about $10 cheaper. For $30, the price of gas and my time, I may as well just use the regular groomer! |
| MN is cheaper - at least out in the sticks!
In the car wash nearest us (5 miles into town) it costs $5 minimum to use the dog wash. The one time I used it I spent $8 (all the change I had) and Chewie was about half dry. So I would guess about $10 would get me a clean dry dog. It is a raised stainless steel tub with a ramp, and a spray nozzle that uses a dial like the car wash does. You turn it to shampoo, flea shampoo, conditioner and rinse. Comes out premixed with the water. You need to bring your own towels. |
ButtersStotch wrote: Then he pulled the old head-hanging-out-of-the-tub move and I had to make sure he wasn't going to lead with the head and make an escape again.
What is the deal with the head hanging out of the tub?!? I gave all 3 of mine a bath the other day, I talked about the same thing in my post about the heads. Pepsi and Rags both did the head thing ensuring that more water landed outside the tub than inside. 
I like Bears face like that. Clyde and Bear both look great! |
| Sorry, I had to laugh Steve would really like to find a do it yourself bath place around here. There are so many groomers, but nowhere to take them. I feel so bad for Steve on weekends that Fozzie goes to the park. He squats on the back patio to give Foz a bath. |
ButtersStotch wrote: Unfortunately, this is as white as his face gets.
Bear did not get a bath but he couldn't stand not being part of the fun. He's an attention hound! I chopped all the cords off of his face a few days ago though so it's kind of like a bath since his head doesn't smell as bad. So where is Clydes face??
Are you sure Bear isnt really a mop? or at least a large poodle dressed in his holloween cosume AS a mop?? |
| very funny story sounds like the last time I gave Obe a bath (in the tub). We then tried moving to the patio and using the hose. He did not like that at all. So we just suck it up and go to the groomer, much easier! |
| And here I was thinking about giving Jack a bath (we just did MO, but she's smaller). Maybe I'll wait until Spring, LOL! Or go to the Doggie-Washateria......the DIY place. Ours have walk up steps so no lifting big dogs. Unfortunately it's only a raised bathtub, not a deeper sink, OH well.
Quote: That said, Joan usually washes Mulligan in the tub. Hops right in with him.
Glad you clairified that, it was a curious mental picture, especially if she stripped down for action |
| OMG, I'm sitting here at my desk laughing hysterically at the visual of Jill wrestling with Clyde in the tub!! What a great way to start a Monday morning!
I'm also laughing because I've been there, done that. I think the reason they hang their heads out of the tub is because it's too steamy - the air outside the tub is cooler. In her younger days, when I finally let Drez out of the bathroom, she would RACE around the house at top speed. Up and down the stairs about 12 times, jumping on the bed to make her turn-around. What a sight is was! Just had to make sure you were out of her way, because kneecaps were in jeopardy!! |
| I don't have a problem with them being in a regular tub. I guess it would be simpler in a raised one, but I'm so used to doing it this way, it isn't hard. I have an extra long hose on the sprayer, so it is easy to reach. They're accustomed to it, so they sit or stand or whatever I need from them. The only bad part, really, is how wet I get and how hot it is even with the bathroom door open. They shake in the shower and then I towel dry them before they get out of the tub. Then, they go immediately to their crates. I learned quickly not to let them take off on their own or you have a wet mess all over the house.
We don't have a DIY place nearby, so that isn't really an option for me anyway. I have the table and the dryer, so I'm equipped. I do a load of towels when I'm done (it takes about four -five per dog). It is a huge JOB. Some day, I'm going to build myself a grooming room onto the back of the house. *wistful sigh* |
Quote: He sighs. I squirted his head with the shower head and told him there was more where that came from if he didn't get up. Success! He's up!
I love the fact that we resort to "power and authority" by means of harassment. I can picture the look on your face (tough and frustrated) and his face looking like you as though you are crazy! Isn't is great that sheepies are so stubborn! |
| Wish we had one around here! Didn't even know there is such a thing. Sounds like a great idea. |
| That was a great funny story, thanks for sharing.
We went to the dog park this weekend - Miley decided to swim with the Labs as it was hot. I was hot too so I let her knowing it would mean bath time. We tried the DIY and like it. Okay Miley has less coat and the area was cramped but she couldn't escape - downside was no grooming table so I lifted her on the counter. The place charged $12 for a 1/2 hour and provided a wash area, water, towels, shampoo, rinse and the dryer. They also had grooming brushed and combs but I used my own. But I loved the dryer it was a K-9 III. It worked great and I now have dryer envy. However, if her coat gets much longer it will take longer to dry and then the cost will be comparable to the groomer. I still have not found a groomer I really like as they all use slicker brushes and not pin brushes. |
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