Some dogs would rather scale the couch than step one paw into a bubbly tub. If your pup treats bath time like an epic boss fight, you are not alone.
Certain breeds have reputations for dramatic splashes, slippery escapes, and Oscar-worthy side-eye. Let’s meet the charming culprits and learn why the bathtub feels like lava to them, plus a few gentle tricks to make peace with water.
Italian Greyhound
Italian Greyhounds are elegant little athletes with thin coats and sensitive skin, so chilly water can feel dramatic. That sleek build loses heat fast, making a lukewarm bath seem icy.
You will often see the signature stiff-legged hover at the tub’s edge, like it is molten lava.
Make water toasty, use a nonslip mat, and warm the bathroom first. Gentle sprayers and microfiber towels help prevent shivers.
Reward tiny steps, like sniffing the faucet, with tasty treats and praise.
Keep baths brief and predictable to reduce stress. Desensitize by practicing with empty tubs and low-flow showers.
With patience and cozy warmth, this refined sprinter will tiptoe into bath time with far less drama.
Whippet
Whippets carry that racer’s physique and thin skin, which makes cold splashes feel shocking. Their minimal body fat means heat disappears quickly.
If the floor is slippery, they tense up and refuse to budge, performing the classic spread-eagle standstill.
Preheat the room and run water until it is comfortably warm. Place a cushy mat and use slow, gentle pours instead of high-pressure sprays.
Keep a cozy towel and a blow dryer on low to finish quickly.
Introduce grooming gradually, starting with damp cloth wipes. Pair every step with soft encouragement and treats.
With comfort, warmth, and patience, your Whippet will stop seeing the bathtub as a danger zone and tolerate quick, calm baths.
Chinese Crested
Chinese Cresteds can be hairless or powderpuff, and both can feel vulnerable around water. Hairless skin needs delicate care, which adds pressure to bath time.
Sudsy water and slick porcelain seem extra risky to a pup who hates cold drafts.
Use warm water, fragrance-free products, and a plush mat for traction. Keep rinses gentle and brief, then moisturize hairless skin after drying.
Frequent but quick baths prevent buildup that can irritate.
Build positive associations by letting your dog lick a lick mat on the wall while you rinse. Talk softly and keep motions smooth and slow.
With consistent, soothing routines, your Crested will learn the tub is safe, not scary.
Xoloitzcuintli
Xolos are thoughtful, sensitive companions, and hairless varieties feel temperature shifts fast. The first splash can trigger a whole-body flinch, then a calculated retreat.
Their intelligence means they remember uncomfortable experiences vividly, avoiding repeats.
Warm everything first, from room to water to towels. Use gentle, hypoallergenic cleansers and work in sections for quick rinses.
Keep a steady hand on a plush mat to avoid slips and startle responses.
Offer high-value treats and calm praise at each milestone. End on a win, like a short rinse before they get restless.
Over time, a careful ritual transforms bath time from panic-inducing to peaceful, especially for this wise, watchful breed.
Peruvian Inca Orchid
Peruvian Inca Orchids, especially hairless types, can react dramatically to cold water and echoing bathrooms. Their sensitive skin and lean build magnify discomfort.
One bad slip and they will treat the tub like forbidden territory.
Prepare the stage: warm water, steady footing, and a quiet space. Use gentle, pH-balanced products and rinse thoroughly to protect delicate skin.
Keep sessions short and predictable so your dog knows what is coming.
Use rewards strategically, like a smear of peanut butter on a tile. Move slowly, avoiding sudden splashes.
With warmth, traction, and trust, this graceful athlete can switch from bathtub avoidance to calm cooperation.
Papillon
Papillons are bright and expressive, which includes dramatic opinions about baths. Those lavish ears can make rinsing tricky, and a sudden sprayer noise may spark a skittering escape.
They prefer predictable handling and warm, gentle water.
Brush thoroughly before bathing to prevent tangles. Shield the ears with a hand and use a cup pour instead of a loud nozzle.
A soft towel turban and gentle blow-dry keep the fluff fabulous.
Make it fun by training a hop-in cue with treats. Keep sessions light and quick, celebrating every calm moment.
Done right, your Papillon will trade bathtub panic for prim-and-proper spa vibes with minimal theatrics.
Japanese Chin
Japanese Chins are graceful, sensitive companions who dislike abrupt changes, including sudden water. Their flat faces can make splashes uncomfortable.
Add slick surfaces, and you get the classic frozen paws and pleading gaze.
Set the scene with warm water, a nonslip mat, and quiet surroundings. Use a gentle pour and keep water away from the nose.
Detangle first and dry carefully to keep the feathering smooth.
Work slowly, adding brief breaks for treats and cuddles. Rehearse calm entries into an empty tub to build confidence.
With softness and structure, your Chin will stop treating the bath like peril and step through the process with poise.
Brussels Griffon
Brussels Griffons have big feelings in small packages, and bath time often triggers their comedic outrage. Beards trap water and shampoo, which can feel yucky.
The sudden roar of a sprayer can send them scrambling for higher ground.
Comb the beard first, then use a gentle cup pour and thorough rinse. Keep a microfiber towel for the face and a low dryer setting.
A silicone lick mat on the tile turns rinsing into snack time.
Practice calm holds and reward patience generously. Keep everything warm and steady, avoiding eye splashes.
With empathy and routine, that skeptical griff will accept suds without staging a dramatic protest.
Pekingese
Pekingese wear a dramatic coat that tangles fast, so bath time can feel intense. Water weighs the mane down and makes everything feel strange.
Combine that with proud independence, and you may see stubborn anchoring at the tub’s edge.
Brush thoroughly, line-comb, and pre-detangle before any water. Use warm, steady pours and support the body so they feel secure.
Apply conditioner and rinse meticulously to prevent residue in the dense undercoat.
Dry in sections with a low, warm setting and constant brushing. Keep sessions short and predictable with frequent praise.
Soon your royal fluff will tolerate the ritual and emerge looking like a tiny lion with perfect poise.
Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus can be surprisingly dramatic around water, especially if their topknot gets soaked. The long coat tangles easily and feels heavy when wet.
If the tub is slippery, they will plant feet and protest adorably.
Brush and section the coat before bathing. Use warm water, a conditioning shampoo, and a cushioned mat.
Rinse forever to remove residue, then towel blot before a low, warm blow-dry with brushing.
Keep treats handy and narrate steps calmly so your pup knows what is next. Short, frequent baths beat long marathons.
With routine and patience, your Shih Tzu will survive the suds and step out fluffy, clean, and comfortable.
Maltese
Maltese coats show every speck of dirt, yet many despise the tub. The fine hair mats quickly and feels heavy when wet, making movement awkward.
Sudden sprayer sounds can trigger startle responses.
Detangle thoroughly, then use a mild, whitening-safe shampoo with warm water. Pour gently from a cup and keep a plush mat for stability.
Rinse and condition carefully to prevent knots and dullness.
Dry with a gentle towel and low dryer, brushing in layers. Keep sessions cheerful and predictable with soft talking and rewards.
Over time, your Maltese will accept the bath routine and hop out looking like a tiny cloud.
Chihuahua
Chihuahuas often act like the bath is a personal betrayal. Tiny bodies feel temperature shifts instantly, and loud water echoes seem huge.
Add slippery footing, and you have a recipe for dramatic wiggles and side-eye.
Warm the room, use cozy water, and place a nonslip mat. Work with a cup or low-flow sprayer to reduce noise.
Keep handling gentle and steady, supporting the chest for security.
Reward frequently with tiny treats and take breaks. A quick, calm routine beats dragging it out.
With patience, your Chi will tolerate the rinse and return to ruling the sofa with dry, victorious dignity.
Pomeranian
Pomeranians wear a glorious double coat that traps water like a sponge. Once wet, they feel heavy and vulnerable, which fuels dramatic protests.
The dryer noise can also spook sensitive pups.
Brush out undercoat before bathing and use a volumizing conditioner. Keep water warm and pressure gentle.
Rinse thoroughly, then towel blot to remove as much moisture as possible.
Blow-dry on low with continuous brushing to avoid hot spots and matting. Use frequent praise and treats for standing still.
Soon your Pom will accept spa day and strut off looking like a perfectly fluffed dandelion.
Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkies have fine, silky hair that tangles quickly, and baths can magnify every knot. Suds near the eyes feel scary, so they tilt and dodge.
Without traction, they freeze or scramble dramatically.
Comb thoroughly before water, then use warm pours and tear-free shampoo. Support the body and shield the face as you rinse.
Condition and detangle in sections to keep that signature shine.
Dry gently with a towel and low heat while brushing. Keep the vibe calm, offering rewards for steady paws.
With practice, your Yorkie will handle bath day like a runway prep instead of a disaster scene.
Toy Poodle
Toy Poodles are clever and notice everything, including slippery tubs and noisy sprayers. Curls hold water and suds, which can feel sticky.
If the process seems chaotic, they will protest with precision sidesteps.
Brush and de-mat first, then use warm water and a gentle, moisturizing shampoo. Work in sections, rinse thoroughly, and apply conditioner to keep curls plush.
A cushioned mat and calm handling build trust.
Blow-dry with a comb attachment on low to shape the coat. Reward cooperation and keep steps consistent each time.
Soon, your Toy Poodle will approach bath day like a tidy routine rather than a crisis.