Tail and bath issues?

Milo has issues with his tail. I'm not sure what happened prior to him coming to my home but I feel that it is one of the issues that needs to be resolved. Does anyone have any tips? So far that seems to be his only problem.

Also, if you could give me advice on how to introducing him to a bath that would be great. I know it's stupid but I'm kind of worried about it (when time comes anyway.) I would feel better had he been mine all this time, but that's not the case and Freya is the only one I've ever bathed.

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Permalink Reply by John Wolff on April 17, 2009 at 2:37pm

What sort of issues with his tail? Like, does he want to dye it day-glo magenta or purple? or some kind of identity crisis -- he thinks he's a Cardy or something? you think he's too attached to it?
Don't hire a therapist; most dogs come to terms with their tails (or lack thereof) on their own.

I've always bathed the dogs by getting into the tub & shower with them (usually after a hike, when we all need to get clean). Face it, you're gonna get wet too in any case. Easy to hold, control, reassure the dog if you're right in there with it. Just recognize: a bathtub fall while you're holding a corgi under the shower could be as bad as a car accident, for either of you. This is dangerous. But I stand and hold the dog under the shower head for final rinse.
Get a fine-mesh drain screen to catch fur, unless you really like plumbing jobs.

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Permalink Reply by Corgibyassociation on April 17, 2009 at 2:55pm

Milo doesn't like his tail to be touched at all. He stiffens. He's my foster dog so I'm the one who gets first hand experience. He's got a full tail and not much of the corgi fur either--which is a blessing to a degree. Oh I always get in the tub with my puppy. I found it was a lot easier that way but that also meant no flea dips for her either (I'm allergic to the pyrethrum/pyrethrins in it.

Man, I need to get another mesh drain screen. Between me (i have long hair) and the dogs are draining is screwed!

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Permalink Reply by John Wolff on April 17, 2009 at 4:22pm

Maybe previous experience with ill-supervised children pulling his tail or something?

McConnell (Other End of the Leash) recounts a well-mannered dog who would occasionally attack without warning or provocation. They finally found the reason: pizza. Anybody who'd recently had pizza got in trouble. Dog had been kicked by a pizza delivery kid as a puppy. Solution: enlist confederates to come to the door and, first thing, proffer a tasty piece of pizza to the dog. Unlearning.

Try giving his favorite treat immediately whenever you touch his tail.

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Permalink Reply by Corgibyassociation on April 17, 2009 at 4:26pm

I'll try it! I know that being able to touch his tail is a must whenever he finally gets his first bath. The best I could do was a bath wipe which helped some. At the moment, I wouldn't recommend him for a family with toddlers and young children due to his unease of his tail being touched. I may continue with that recommendation even when he gets better with his tail--but that's just cause so far he isn't so hyper.