Originally Posted by Sage

The biggest problem is all that splashing and lifting!

I would love to avoid some of that with a unit specifically for dog bathing.

I agree with you. The splashing really annoys me If only there was a way to make them busy while we bathe them

If you gave your bernese dog a bath in your tub, would it leave behind tons of hair? If it does, would a bath outside, like in a plastic kiddie pool be better?

The bathtub is great when they are little ( maybe the first 9 months ) but the hair is crazy! I would
recommend the bathtub only in an emergency. The kiddie pool outside is much better idea, except in the winter of course.

Originally Posted by tina

We always bathe our dogs outside, with the hose (unless it's too cold- then we bring them inside into our guest bathroom ). It's easy for us because or dog has short hair (she's not a berner), but I suppose it would be a lot harder for long-haired dogs.

Yeah, same here - outside hose always. Bathtub??? That's a good one!

Our Berner isn't a big fan of water (do most of you find this to be the case? ), unlike his big "brother" (a flat coat retreiver) who loves it.

We're anxious to take him to Tahoe this winter to see if a love of frozen water (i.e., snow) is in his Swiss DNA.

Originally Posted by bernermom

Once or twice a year we do it ourselves. But we usually just go to the groomers. Have anyone ever heard of a furminator? It is a miracle worker on the Bernese fur! Comes it our like nothing else, and believe me we have ever comb, brush, pick, and rake that is out on the market.

Have just bought a furminator and it is fantastic!! Wish I'd bought one of these years ago, can't believe how much fur it gets out. An added bonus is my dog doesn't seem to mind it too much and he normally hates getting groomed. Thanks for the recommendation.

Originally Posted by aey1604

Have just bought a furminator and it is fantastic!! Wish I'd bought one of these years ago, can't believe how much fur it gets out. An added bonus is my dog doesn't seem to mind it too much and he normally hates getting groomed. Thanks for the recommendation.

They are awesome but just be very careful and follow the instructions... repeated brushing in the same areas can actually cut the dogs skin, and cut the hairs (it's almost razor sharp) and end up destroying the coat.... I opted not to get one, found something similar but not as sharp... I'm sure I'll learn my lesson later :P

We were lucky when my berner was a pup to have a walk-in shower. When I thought he needed bathing, I would finish my own shower, turn down the water temp, then call him into the stall. He loved it! He is like many Berners in that he is very social & always hangs out in the bathroom anyway. He is always happy to join in. I always add lots of praise as well during the process, as he is always eager to please. In the warmer months, we bathe him on our deck.

Originally Posted by joinersue

We were lucky when my berner was a pup to have a walk-in shower. When I thought he needed bathing, I would finish my own shower, turn down the water temp, then call him into the stall. He loved it! He is like many Berners in that he is very social & always hangs out in the bathroom anyway. He is always happy to join in. I always add lots of praise as well during the process, as he is always eager to please. In the warmer months, we bathe him on our deck.

our berner goes in the shower too. she is so patient , we just call her and she walks right in. only problem we have is trying to get her nails cut......any suggestions

hey there, 'Darby' didn't like getting his nails clipped either and i found the more he moved the harder it was!

I changed my clippers from one that cuts like a scissors to one that cuts like a cigar cutter thingy or a guillotine type. this made it safer to cut.

I also found that if i lay him down on his side and lift the paw closest to the ground he stays still longer.

or you could always file/grind down the nails or walk him on concrete