Bertie is now 9 months and around 45kg being a Irish Wolfhound x Dalmation but is in desperate need of a bath! the trouble is he's petrified of water and unlike my lake land x I can't just pop him in the bath and feed him treats to get over it, the only option is the hose outside which I'm sure doesn't help. Is there anything I can give him to calm him or help hold him, because if he doesn't like something and he wants to get away me and my husband can't hold him down!!

Homeopet Anxiety relief drops supposed to provide relief from fear of vet/grooming visits, separation anxiety,kennelling and shows, they are herbal and supposed to be fast acting and non sedating £12.23 so I dont know if you would thing having a go to see if they do make a difference? vet-medic.com is one place to get them.

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you can get dry shampoos for dogs - maybe this would be a better option? My sister used one on her DDB and it worked really well.

Presumably he doesn't have a problem with you handling him, just the aversion to water?

Have you tried a soft sponge and bucket of water (not tipping it over him but using the sponge little by little)? Gentle, soft approach with click and treats to help desensitize. Don't force it in one go.

Yes, you can even say give him nice massagey strokes and handling, where you plan to bathe, gently reassuring. Then calmly try a little water. If he's so old and not bathed, a week or two invested in making it pleasant for him won't hurt.

On show "IT's me or the Dog in US" with Victoria Stillwell, showed a dog that disliked grooming, and the gentle patient approach keeping the dog calm, soon helped. Might find some youtube clips or articles around, on habituating a dog to bathing or grooming.

Now my pup had a traumatic fall into a Swimming Pool (converted into garden feature) during first fear period. I overcame his "phobia" of streams and pools, by walking him in my Wellies on a route that crossed very shallow streams 1 inch deep. By standing in them and letting him weigh them up, being patient, he soon realised he was safe crossing. I praised and treated any experiment or progress through the water. Then after a few trips, he would get excited and run up and down in the stream thrilled to splash about. Soon I had him swimming and he is very keen on going into the lake and especially the beach where he swims the most!

Here is a clip from youtube of Dr Sophia Yin working with a dog who really doesnt like his toenails clipped:

YouTube - ‪Dog Aggressive for Toenail Trim | drsophiayin.com‬‏

I'm guessing your boy isnt anywhere near this stage of dislike but the concept is the same.

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Jack - Black Labrador
Nalsy & Ponch - Purebred bedwarming moggies