Reasons Why Your Dog Hates Water -

Reasons Why Your Dog Hates Water

There are quite a few reasons why your furry family member may be afraid of water. Chances are, if your pup has a fear of water, it may be because they’ve associated it with something unpleasant. Another reason is that it very well may be because they’ve had minimal interaction with it. Although avoiding water entirely is completely unavoidable, let’s take a look at some reasons why your four-legged friend may have a water phobia.

Reasons Why Your Dog Hates Water

Bad Experiences

In the lifetime of any dog, they will encounter many instances where they’re faced with water. Bad experiences can leave a traumatic impact on a pup to a point where they will avoid water at all costs. Perhaps when they were a puppy, they almost drowned. As a result there is a strong probability this fear will then carry into adulthood. In some cases, a dog owner may resort to water as a method of punishment which may leave them with traumatic memories. If you got your dog at a shelter, ask to see if they might have had past trauma like this.

Anxiety

Some dogs suffer from anxiety. You may not be able to pin-point exactly where the anxiety stems from, but some pups are just afraid of everything. Drinking out of their own water bowl can trigger the anxiety, leaving them ready to run away from it at any given moment. When it rains some dogs may avoid going outdoors when having to go to the bathroom which may result to accidents in the house. If they make it outside, they may avoid doing their business on the grass. Anxiety can also be inherited from your dog’s parents.

Overcoming Fear of Water

It is not any easy task when working with your dog to help overcome a fear of water. However there are many ways to ease the anxiety, and to make it less painful for your pooch and less exhausting for you. Before bath time it may be beneficial to take them out for some exercise, whether that may be a walk or playing catch. Tiring your pup out may make them less likely to fight back during their bath. You want to make this as relaxing as possible. Introduce them to small areas of water and build them up. Baby steps are important, and don’t forget positive reinforcements!

Getting your pup into the tub can help if they know what comes after. Use a soothing shampoo like Roxy’s Remedies natural dog products which can help ease itching and skin irritation. Be sure to always have treats or a calm routine afterward as well. Once established, your dog might come to look forward to bath time.

Nothing Working?

If all else fails consider seeking professional help. Although it may seem a little strange, it certainly may be beneficial to learn new ways of helping someone who takes up a big part of your heart!

Guest Author: Brooke Chaplan

Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most her time hiking, biking and gardening. For more information contact Brooke via Twitter @BrookeChaplan

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