Dear Cathy,

Our eight-year-old dog has never liked getting wet but has tolerated being bathed and getting wet to “do her business” in the rain. However, when my son tried to bring Shea upstairs to give her a bath the other day (she is 48 pounds), she started growling and snarling and hiding behind the couch. I’ve never been afraid she would bite before, but this time she sounded so vicious I wasn’t sure what she would do if we tried to get her into the bathroom. It has been a while since her last bath and nothing out of the ordinary occurred at that time. Is there something we can do to alleviate her fear? Will we be able to give her a bath again? – Judi, New York

Dear Judi,  

I understand how concerning it must be to see Shea so fearful, especially when she’s never reacted this way before. Bathtubs can indeed be scary places for dogs. Think of something you’re afraid of doing and imagine having to face it regularly. You were right not to force her—there’s no need to stress her or yourself out to that extent. It’s hard to say exactly why Shea suddenly became fearful. She may have simply reached her tolerance limit for baths, or she may have developed a health issue, like arthritis, making bath time more uncomfortable for her.

While desensitization and counter-conditioning techniques can help her overcome her fears, these methods can take weeks or even months to show results. They involve temporarily avoiding baths in the tub and instead creating positive associations with the bathroom. For example, you could place a trail of treats leading from the hallway into the bathroom, helping her associate the space with good things rather than fear. However, this doesn’t guarantee she won’t react again when it comes time for another bath.

The good news is you can skip the traditional bath altogether and opt for alternative cleaning methods. Pet wipes or waterless shampoos are great options. If Shea is sensitive to sprays, you can apply the dry shampoo to your hands and then massage it into her fur. Towel her off afterward and reward her with treats for being such a good dog. She’ll likely enjoy the contact, and these methods can keep her just as clean.

If she absolutely needs a traditional bath, you could try bathing her outdoors in warm weather using a gentle nozzle on a hose. But if she’s as fearful of water as you’ve described, consider using a bucket of water instead of running water, a little shampoo, and a cup for rinsing. This method minimizes the stress of moving water around her. However, if this still proves too overwhelming for Shea, stick with pet wipes and dry shampoos. Bath time should be a positive experience for both of you.

Additionally, if Shea’s sudden behavior change persists or you notice other signs of discomfort, it might be worth scheduling a vet checkup to rule out any underlying health issues, like joint pain or skin sensitivities, that could be contributing to her fear. Very often sudden changes in behavior are the result of underlying health problems.

Remember, you’re doing the right thing by looking for alternative ways to care for Shea and recognizing her needs. With patience and care, you’ll find the right approach to keep her clean and comfortable.

Send your pet tips, stories and questions to cathy@petpundit.com. You can read her blog, Animals Matter, at http://blog.mysanantonio.com/animals/. Cathy is the author of several children’s books.

Originally appeared on CathyRosenthal.com | How do you clean a dog who is afraid of a bath?