jm1080

Scared is an understatement really! Ruby is now 7 months old she is coming along nicely with all other areas of training and manners (except for digging of course ) but if you come near her with any type of water she starts to panic we tried to give her some water out of our water bottle and she freaked out. My main issue is baths you just can't give her a bath. I tried tempting her with treats I even went as far as getting into the bathtub and she did climb in at first but then decided she had enough and jumped back out if you try to just make her get wet (my husbands big plan) for a bath she actually did growl and show her teeth she has never done that before for any reason so I'm not really up to just making her do it. Any suggustions on getting her at least okay with water.

sebsyd

Some dobies have a fear of water. It is just a matter of getting them used to it. Now that the weather is warmer, I would take her outside and calmly talk to her and pet her and while doing this take a sponge with water on it and tell her what a good girl she is, all the while easily putting more and more water on her. Have treats on hand and only do it for a very short while. The idea is to get her to accept the water first, the baths can come later. My first girl hated the water, but by using this method everyday for two weeks we were able to get her to accept and even like her baths. Good luck.

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Dobemom2b

I would get a kids wading pool , put just enough water in it to cover it and sit in it having your own party. If she wants the treats or toys she has to first approach it, then the critera goes to where she has to step in it, etc. Make it a game and walk through it without stopping, once you can get her to step in it and then get in it with you, you can make it deeper. I would not do any splashing her until she isnt afraid of just getting in it, then hook up a fine sprinkler and see if you can get her to run through it with you.

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RedFawnRising

When she growled at you and showed her teeth, how did you address that?

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faber

my last dobe HATED water...until it was fun at the dog park...w/other dogs he knew...that helped allot.

MY69RS

We went out and got a kiddie pool. I let them get used to it dry, then added some water after they had been playing. Make sure its clean. They would get in to drink. After that it became a game for them, they would bring all there toys into the pool. we slowly started to add a little more water here and there. They still wont lay in it but we can spash around with them no problem, they will even dive for ice cubes. my advice its to do things slowly with yours. Also when she is thirsty use the hose to dribble water in your hand and let her drink it. Good luck and lots of patence!!! let us know how it goes

jm1080

Thank you all for your ideas. I was thinking of the kiddie pool idea too and it sounds like that's what most are saying. I figured since she would get in the tub with me that her curiosty would win her over and she would have to come see what I was doing and why I had treats and she wasn't getting any eventually she would get in with me and maybe just maybe she would start to enjoy the water keep your fingers crossed. I have also gained a few friends at the dog park and a couple that has a pair of labordors that ruby loves I figured that maybe they would be willing to help with the dog park idea she would see her buddies playing and maybe want to be like them.

Redfawnrising: As far as how I reacted to the growling and teeth honestly I was shocked at first because like I said this is the sweetest girl that has never ever shown any sign of aggressive behavior no matter what but I know it was a fear reaction because I was trying to push her to much to fast still it was unacceptable she was told to sit which she did the growling stopped immediatly when her but hit the ground and I took a towel and started drying her and she was trying to snuggle up with me so I know it was just a reaction to the water.I didn't give her much attention other then the drying no words no petting and she didn't have any reaction whatsoever after the water stopped and she sat. It wasn't so much that it was the worst behavior that I've ever seen in a dog because I mean I had a pomeranian as a kid that would rip you up just for looking at her wrong it was that it was totally unexpected from her that really bothered me. Also I don't want her to start thinking well if I growl and act this way she will stop whatever I don't want her to do.

MY69RS

One nice thing about slowly working with them with the water is that now they love to be towel dried. Living here in south florida it rains most every day. When they come in its like a treat for them and they dont mind going out in the rain to potty cause they know they are gonna get the towel.

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secretz

Water in general, Grace hates the waves crashing into her. But doesn't mind going into the water down at our riverbed (especially if there's other dogs there, too).

at 7months, I had to lift Grace into the tub and keep her there. Rinse, shampoo, rinse, treat as soon as I allowed her to jump out. Often, I'd stand in the tub too. She's gotten better about jumping in on her own, but ya have to reinforce that you're the dominant person and that they must do what you say. When Ruby growled, I hope you corrected her for that behavior.

The Maestro

We have a 3 acre pond in our front yard. The first time Maestro jumped in the water after a bull frog, he completely freaked out. He wouldn't go near the water for the longest time. We kept walking with him on the levy and eventually started walking closer to the water. After a couple of weeks he's swimming and chasing frogs, and even fetching sticks. We laughlingly call him a Doberman retriever. Lol. He even sticks his head under water to try to catch the frogs. I'm not an expert on Dobes, but I would say just be patient and keep on encouraging. There is definitely hope. Maestro did growl at us a couple of times when we tried to bathe him after the first encounter with the pond. He knew we were upset with him when we told him "NO!" and was very loving and affectionate the rest of the day. He doesn't act aggresively anymore at all. Best of luck to ya'!