I have the most sweet, loving 2 yr old chocolate lab. I have had no problems with her until recent. My fault perhaps...I only bathed her twice when she was a puppy. When she was 1 yr old I took her to play with neighbors dogs. They had a blow up pool and toys to play with and she was having fun until neighbor forced her in the pool with my help. After that we forced her to be washed with shampoo. 3 weeks ago I went to neighbors and it was hot. We tried to spray her down and hid from us. Last week I tried again in backyard with water and she wouldn't come near me and she's terrified of me when I have a brush or comb in my hand when I try to brush her. I'm kind of devastated and don't know how to earn her trust again. Any advice?
Probably best to not focus on water or washing her. She doesn't need it. Maybe get some really nice treats and just get her comfy being around a brush, rather than brushing her, take baby steps, don't rush it.
I can’t keep my lab out of the water but get a hosepipe out and he runs a mile. I have absolutely no idea why and he has never been hosed down or sprayed with it. I have video of him dancing around a sprinkler when he was a puppy and assumed he was playing but maybe not. Your dog shouldn’t need a bath unless she is very smelly. Most smells come from collars and bedding. Keep those clean. You could try using a grooming mitten then you are stroking her rather than having a tool in your hand. You need to gain back her trust but they have long memories!
I think tennis balls and a lake or stream are the best way to get a Lab in the water. Cooper gets a bath every couple of years whether she needs it or not. We have a small plastic pool in the back yard for hot days. Tilly (our second Chocolate) liked it, but Cooper could care less. If it isn't big enough to swim in, she is not interested.
