Female Mixed Breed Scared of Bath

Question
Dear Sandy:

My wife and I have a 25 pound, medium sized dog named Sydney. She is scared of taking a bath in bathroom tub and fights my wife an I every time we bathe hear. How do we resolve this issue?

Answer
a couple of things - she may be worried about a lack of traction on that surface, and she may be reacting to not being given a choice. I'd teach her to go into the bath tub (with a mat on the floor so it is not slick) dry. Lots of treats in the dry tub, then come out, then with a little water and so-on. Always stop before she is fed up or freaking out. I think our attitudes may have a lot to do with it as well. My Alice (34 lb Aussie) hated taking baths. I realized I hated it to, would take her, put her in the tub and get it over with - with her scrambling every chance she got to escape. Since I have started taking my time, talking to her about the fact that I'm going to give her a "wonderful water massage" (and actually doing that) she'll get in the tub when asked, and relax during the bath. Now I'm not saying she understands my words, but she understands my change in attitude, and that makes all the difference. That, plus the fact I'm not taking away all her choices. Sandy Case, MEd CPDT www.positivelycanine.com