[bullyboy06]

Hello all...I have a 10 month old APBT named Carter and he is a great dog extremely active and fairly well behaved (still working on it). One of my biggest problems with him is bath time! I bathe him outside in one of the big plastic bins which for one is starting to get to small for him, but he will play and try to bite at the water but when its time for him to actually get cleaned I have to chase him around the whole yard for the longest of time...its pretty funny but I know it isnt good...any suggestion on bathing would be greatly appreciated.

I will post pictures of him when I am on my laptop.


Thanks in advance

[screamin'eagle]

It's hard with puppies...often times they'll get used to it and calm down as they mature. If you teach him to stand (for example to be examined by a vet, or in a show ring) that would be the best response to rectify this behavior. You might also tire him out before a bath to cut back on the playful behavior.

I did want to ask though...how often do you bathe him? IMO more than once per month is too much, if even that often. Remember that dogs don't sweat like humans, and bathing too often can cause dull fur, and other skin problems. I hope that helps a bit.

[maryellen]

screamin' eagle has given some great advise! you can also put his leash on so that he cant run all over the yard...

[bullyboy06]

thanks alot...is the bin not necessary?? could i just bathe him with his leash on in his kennel?? I bathe about once a month...

[Michele]

Originally Posted by bullyboy06 thanks alot...is the bin not necessary?? could i just bathe him with his leash on in his kennel?? I bathe about once a month...

I would say the bin is not necessary

[maryellen]

if you bathe him too much you will wipe out all the natural oils in his skin.. heck i bathe my dogs MAYBE twice a year... if that,. if they get muddy then they will get a bath, but other then that its just a good brushing once a week.

you can put his leash on, put it around your wrist, and bathe him in the bathtub or the bathbasin outside..

[bullyboy06]

thanks a lot guys n gals! like i said I will post some pictures of him soon..

[bullyboy06]

about brushing....i usually do it before I bathe him but he gets sandy because he is out in his kennel during the day....should this be more often? i am using the regular soft bristle brush that my vet told me to...that what you all use??

Im really surprised by the response time on this site!!! I will most def be an active user from now on! I have so many questions this is my first pup and I know there is always room to learn!

[maryellen]

oh, your pup is outside in a kennel all the time? why isnt he in the house in a crate? what you can do is brush him with a brush and comb, that will help keep him clean, also, what type of kennel set up do you have for him? if there is alot of dirt, that will just keep him staying dirty... is there a concrete slab for him to rest on, besides dirt and grass??

[maryellen]

oops sorry forgot about the brush part.. i use a soft bristle brush on mine, and a comb too.. but mine are all house dogs and live in the house..

[maryellen]

post a picture of your kennel set up here too. this way maybe we can help you re arrange it for your dog ..

[bullyboy06]

I will have to take a picture when I get home...I keep him outside during the day because I figured that would be better for him than being stuck in a crate in the house until I get home...his kennel is floored with concrete its not one whole slab they are the square bricks

[maryellen]

is the yard secured by a sturdy fence/padlock, and the kennel too?

how dirty does he get? if he has brick/concrete he shouldnt get that dirty.. unless he likes the dirt LOL. do you have a dog house out there for him too? and a raised bed so he can not lay on the concrete?

[bullyboy06]

the fence is sturdy...wow i feel bad now because i never thought about padlocking the kennel but i will def be doing that now

Ive been looking into dog houses and also raised beds but for now it is concrete...he doesnt get filthy i mean its nothing noticeable until a few weeks after a bath

[maryellen]

dogs that live outside in kennels during the day need to be secured so that no one steals them, the apbt is the most stolen dog around.. with a secure padlock on your fence and kennel, with a secure top on the kennel a well you will prevent him from being stolen.
also if he is going to live outside in a kennel while you are at work, you need to provide shade for him, usually this is done with a tarp on top of the secured kennel top.. (preferably a kennel top like the sides so he cant climb out) and a dog house to escape the heat/cold depending on the season., and a raised dog bed so he doesnt get rough spots on his legs from laying on the concrete..

here is some good info for building a good sturdy weather proof kennel if you plan on keeping him outside forever..

http://www.workingpitbull.com/kennels.html

[bullyboy06]

I hate the fact that he is outside during the day but I dont really have a choice im only 19 and I live with my parents still and they dont want him loose in the house and like I said I dont like the thought of leaving him stuck in a crate until I get home. The kennel is covered with a tarp right now...but I will be puttin a top on the kennel as well as getting him a dog house and raised bed

[Noelle's Mom]

Noelle does the same thing with water. It's almost an OCD thing with her. She sees moving water and just goes absolutely crazy. She listens to the "come" and "leave it" commands for everything else under the sun, but get water moving and it's like she doesn't even hear me. I'm hoping she will grow out of it but for now I just do my bathing in the bathtub inside (that way there are three walls surrounding her and the only way she can jump out is to go through me) and do it as little as possible.

[maryellen]

as long as he is secure out there and has shade, water and a bed and no one can steal him that is fine...

[bullyboy06]

yep he has shade, water and i have a lock and chain i am putting on starting tomorrow thanks for everything! oh ya one more question, i took a trip to Petsmart today and asked about something for him to play with or keep him busy while im not around and they gave me the Kong toy with treats what do you all suggest?

[maryellen]

anything he cant choke on is fine. a large kong is perfect, you can freeze peanut butter inside , and then give it to him when you leave, it will keep him busy for a while... and these are great too www.bustercube.com