Now that your puppy is willing to trapse through a small amount of water for some snacks, we’re going to combine trapsing through water with the sound of running water. We’ll have our audio of running water sounds linked below if you need it.
Remember, when ever you add something more difficult to your training, you need to ease up on your requirements. If your dog is happy to walk through water without sound, he may be a lot more cautious when it’s a combination of water and bath sounds.
Expect to go back a step or two, even as far back as your pet just leaning over the water again, while the water sounds are playing softly in the background.
All dogs are different. Some may swagger right through the water as if the sound doesn’t mean a thing. Others will need to go back to the beginning. Let your pup go back to the beginning if he needs to, and work forward the same steps, but with the sound playing quietly in the background.
When your dog can wade confidently through the water despite the running water sounds, we can move to the next step.
In the Bath Tub
Your dog should now be comfortable with the touch of water on their feet, even with the sound of the water splashing. Now, you’re going to put your pet in the bathtub or sink and turn the water on very low.
Make sure the pup is as far away from the bath water as possible, so they don’t accidentally get a soaking. Although they are no doubt a lot more comfortable with the idea of a bath, it’s important not to make big jumps when training your pet.
Many times, the biggest mistake new trainers make is asking their pup to take a step that is too big. When ever your dog is struggling with something, see if you can break it into smaller steps, so that they have an easier time crossing that bridge.
Offer your pup a steady succession of treats while they are in the tub with the water running next to them. If they just want out, let them out and try again another time. Perhaps, warm up with a few treats in the tub and no water and then add a soft stream of water.
Remember this is a big step for your pup. This is the time they usually get bathed, and all the signs are there. Hopefully the positive reinforcement you have worked on so far has made them confident enough to feel even if there is a bath—it might not be so bad.
Heavily reward them for being in the bathtub (or sink, or other bathing location) with the water running, and then take them out without bathing them.
Do this once a day, over several different sessions. When your pup thinks nothing of popping in the tub for some snacks, it’s time to move to the next step.
A Few Drops of Water
During your next session, get your hand wet under the flow of water, and gently drip a drop of water on your dog’s back. Immediately give your pet a treat. Do this 5 or 6 times, pairing the drops of water with the treats.
Your dog shouldn’t react too much to this, but if they try to flee, let them and end the session. Your dog is more likely to be open to new things if they know they can leave at any time.
If they strongly react to a few drops of water on their back, the next session try just dripping the water near them. If they move away, move the drops farther away the next time. Reward them when they are either coming towards the drops or maintaining the same distance between them.
When your pup can handle a few drops of water on their back, you can end water desensitization for now. Drenching your dog each time may cause their skin to dry out, plus leave them chilled and you with a long drying process every single time.
Leave full water exposure to actual baths, which we’ll talk about when we desensitize them to shampoo.
As long as your dog is fine with water touching them, even in small amounts, can stand in a small amount of water, and can handle the sound of water, they’re in good shape for the time being.
Similar Posts:
- Desensitization to Water, Part 2
- Desensitization to Water, Part 1
- How to Desensitize the Sound of a Dryer
- Water Desensitization, Part 3
- Desensitization to Dryers
