Golden Retriever Puppy Bath Training

Many of the adult dogs we work with have shown nervous, defensive and aggressive reactions in certain situations (such as being bathed).
We break down something we know the dog has struggled with in the past into smaller, easier and less potential for conflict steps / exercises.
Break down your training for bath time into fun games and tiny successes and be sure to start ASAP with a new young puppy to avoid big troubles down the road.
🔸 get in / out of the tub (no water)
🔸 turning the water spigot on and off briefly (with the dog outside of the tub)
🔸 turning the water spigot on and off briefly (with the dog in the tub)
🔸 letting the water run for a little while (with the dog outside the tub)
🔸 letting the water run for a little while (with the dog in the tub)
🔸 turning the shower head on / off (with the dog outside the tub)
🔸 turning the shower head on / off (with the dog in the tub)
🔸 spraying around the tub with the shower head (with the dog outside the tub)
🔸 spraying around the tub with the shower head (with the dog in the tub - not spraying the dog)
🔸 turning the water on, THEN having the dog hop into the tub
🔸 briefly spraying an easy part of the dogs body with gentle water (shoulder, chest, etc)
🔸 having the dog in the tub and touching / petting / massaging the dog o easy areas (back, neck, shoulders, chest, etc)
🔸 running water and touching / petting / massaging the dog on easy areas (back, neck, shoulders, chest, etc)
🔸 briefly spraying the dog with gentle water and touching / petting / massaging the area the water is applied
AND SO MUCH MORE!!
There are a million tiny varieties of things we can work on surrounding a single “task” that will make it easier for the dog and people working with them.
Everything we do with our dogs can be broken down into smaller pieces!
MAKE IT FUN AND EASY FOR EVERYONE!
Something as “simple” as a bath can have so many variables we can help prepare our dogs for so it is our job to help them learn and feel comfortable with this.