Dogsitting

[Eva]

Just heard that my ex boyfriend is going to India from oktober 1 untill december 23. That means that I Max (the sweetest dog in the world, dare I say) is going to stay with me during that time. I really look forward to it! :cool:

Eva

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p238/EvaPirateQueen/Lolo/0013.jpg

[Mary6906]

He's adorable! Enjoy, Eva.

[Eva]

He's the best! :) So sweet, such a gentle soul.

I do have one question though. I would like to wash him once or twice. I know that dogs don't need that often but I think he is starting to smell after two years. Only... he is excessively scared of water. Maybe something traumatic happened to him when he was still a pup... (my ex got him from a Spanish rescueprogramme) He is very traumatised in many ways. It shows in his behaviour. Do you have some advice for me? Thanks! :cool:

Eva

[Bat]

There are dry shampoos that come in powder form...you rub it into their fur, kind of massage it around, and brush it out thoroughly...it takes the oil and dirt and hopefully the doggy odor away with it. He'll enjoy the massage, (and do remember to do it outside so you don't have it all over the house).:cool:

[Mimi]

I'm not much of a dog person but really liked Max when I met him at your birthday last April, Eva! Have fun together!

MIMI

[coffeegyrl]

Take the dog to a groomer. Let the groomer and the dog fight it out, and then the dog is clean and you aren't the bad guy.

of course I'm a cat person so what do I know...

[Dee]

That's an excellent idea Sally. A dog groomer would no doubt already be quite adept at handling other difficult dogs he's groomed.

[Elliott]

He looks like he would like cats because they taste like chicken! I have the opposite problem; Buddy loves to jump into the shower with me. I've gotten used to it. I like the idea of taking him to a professional groomer and send the bill to his dad.... Where is going to sleep? Love, Elliott

[Eva]

A dog groomer... Good idea. You're right; I am sure a dog groomer has experience with dogs that are scared of water. I guess the groomer and I can talk strategy on this. The financial part is covered, yes, so that's not the problem.

Elliott, he sleeps next to my bed; next to me. I'm going to put out some cozy places for him in several places in the house. Places where he can see the room and where his back is covered. This way, he can choose. He is used to sleeping next to the bed and I kind of like the idea too. I mean, we're pack. We sleep in one place.

Max, is sweet and very lively. I remember that you liked him Mimi :) He doesn't hurt cats. He actually wants to play with them. Usually the cats don't 'get' it and run away or chase him away. He is not very smart when it comes to cats... :rolleyes:

Eva

[Eva]

Let the groomer and the dog fight it out, and then the dog is clean and you aren't the bad guy.

of course I'm a cat person so what do I know...
Ehm... yes. Definately a cat person. Thanks for your advice anyway :eek:

Eva

[trish55]

I scrolled past the picture of your dog really quickly and at first i thought it was a skunk but then i realized it was a dog. but he looks really cute.

[Eva]

This is Max looking more doglike...

Eva

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p238/EvaPirateQueen/Lolo/Max03.jpg
Is that ball coming already?

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p238/EvaPirateQueen/Lolo/Max02.jpg
I want that ball! Throw it! Throw it!

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p238/EvaPirateQueen/Lolo/0011.jpg
Do you mean me?

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p238/EvaPirateQueen/Lolo/0009.jpg
Yeah... right there. Ah yes, that's goooooooood...

[Bat]

'You can shoot me now...see, I'm showing you the whites of my eyes."

He is a very handsome fellow, Eva, and looks pretty easy to keep clean with that rough coat that sheds grass seeds and burs and stuff like that...good field dog. Nice temperament too, I bet. Too bad he's been badly treated in the past, but good treatment should make him easy ...it just takes time.
You'll give him lots of TLC, and he'll be a sweetie for you! But do try the dry shampoo...this is not the time to try a bath!

[Eva]

Bat, you are right about his fur and his character :) I don't know about dry shampoo though. Then again, I am sure he would love me for it. He loves a good massage and a brush. If he doesn't try to steal the brush to play with it :D

Eva

[aabram]

Eva, he might prefer a shower? I'm about to go and do Simba, and he loves it. :) It may just be having to get into such a large expanse of water is what's making him nervous. A shower takes all that away.

Annabel

[Roady]

Handsome boy!! Looks like he has german wire or wire haired griffon plus border collie in him. If he's really afraid of water, I doubt you'll be able to give him a bath. You physically won't be able to restrain him or if you tie his collar to something he could hang himself. Or if by chance it does work, you don't want him spooked for the rest of the visit. Want me to go on? Definitely go to a groomer and don't stay while he is being bathed. You don't want him associating you with that unpleasant experience....

Looking forward to more doggie tales!

[Eva]

Annabel, I think he would be scared of the shower too. But it's worth a try. Just leave the bathroomdoor open when I am in the shower. He is very curious and always wants to be where his packmembers are. Maybe I'll put a little ball in the shower. See if he comes to get it. It would be cool if he would like the shower. I don't have my hopes up though. He seems to dislike water in any form (apart from water he wants to drink) He also hates rain.

Roady, you might be right. Then again... if he goes through something so stressful, shouldn't I be there as his alpha?

Ach, if it doesn't work at all i'll just rub him clean with a wet cloth and then brush him. He does like that. Or at least, he doesn't object to it.

Eva

PS: yes, we think he is part border collie. The other part is Spanish galgo. We don't know what else is in the mix. Galgo's are runners (races) / harehunters and sometimes they guard homes too. But he doesn't really hunt anything. Except for his ball.

[hoops]

Eva, he looks like a fantastic dog, full of love and just waiting to please. i hope you have a wonderful time together! i don;t have any advicee on the bathing thing. sounds like you've got a few choices, he'll let you know which is best. have fun with him
peace
hoops

[GodSistah]

I also think it's cool that your friend got him from a rescue!

In the words of one of my favorite writers, Rita Mae Brown:

"Go to the pound and save a cat or dog.
It’s the only love that money can buy
and far more dependable and pure than the human variety."

:)

[Bat]

Go to a pet shop, Eva, and talk to someone about the dry shampoos...they are not hard to use, the dogs don't freak out, and will probably enjoy the fuss...certainly not traumatic like a bath would be to a hydrophobe!
Worth a try, cheaper than a groomer, and much easier on the dog...and effective, too. They work very well. Do it outside where there will be no dust to clean up, let him roll on the clean grass afterward for fun.

[Dar]

Oh EVa, what a cutie pie! I hope you have fun with him! He looks like he's going to keep you running!!

[Eva]

He looks like he's going to keep you running!!
Are you crazy? i am going to throw a ball far away, he will run after it and bring it back. That's how it works. And we both love it. The other thing I am thinking about is to tie him to my bicycle and have a ride around the lake. No idea how that will go; he isn't used to it. Neither am I...

Bat, in a weird way, you do make sense. Thanks for the advice everyone. Oh by the way... Max is staying untill christmas so you'll probably hear more about our adventures :)

Eva

[dragonlady]

Thread coming soon..."Adventures in Max-land starring Eva"....can't wait :D

-di

[Mary6906]

Yes, Eva needs to keep a photo diary and keep us all up to speed on her adventures with Max.

[Judy]

Eva, I think the folks here are on the right track: If you want to try it yourself then go with Bat's suggestion of dry shampoo; otherwise go to a groomer. He's a fair sized dog & if you're not familiar with bathing a dog (much less one who fears water) I can pretty much guarantee it's going to turn out badly for both of you.

[Eva]

Damn, I hate it when others are right... :D

Eva

[Bat]

Damn, I hate it when others are right... :D

Eva

Even Weirdly?? :D

[Eva]

Especially weirdly! :D

Eva

[Kath of the Guitar]

Eva, he is sooo precious!
He's gonna break your heart!;)
Enjoy every min.

[Eva]

He is precious yes. I am very, very fond of him.

Eva