Keep Your Dog Happy During Bath Time

Your puppy or dog's bath time experience completely depends on how you approach the task. Some breeds are natural water lovers and others are frightened. Understand your breed, and do whatever it takes to comfort him. You can bathe him as often as once a week, but it is recommended to avoid bathing any more than that, as it can irritate his skin. To encourage your dog to like water, it is good to introduce him to water often. Offering treats around water ensures excitement and rewards him for good behavior.

First of all, choose a comfortable and open space. Steer clear of outside hoses, as the temperature can often shock a dog and stimulate upper respiratory infections or a “chill.” It is important to make sure your pup is warm both during and after the bath. Gather the necessary dog supplies. These supplies include: dog shampoo, dog towel, hair dryer (optional), treats, dog brush, and leash, if needed. There are also a few other dog bathing items that can make giving your dog a bath easier, but we will discuss the basic bathing tools. Once all the items are gathered, now we must get your dog.

Whether choosing a sink or a bath tub, make sure the water is luke-warm. The water level should never be higher than the your dog's feet. When putting him in the bath tub, make sure you do it calmly with as little movement as possible. When in the bath tub, speak soothingly and calmly to ensure his safety. Treating once your dog is in place and throughout the process can help ensure the his cooperation.

It is advisable to use a sprayer to rinse your dog, but a cup works just as well. Run water thoroughly over him first, avoiding anything above the ears. Once your dog is wet, lather him in dog shampoo all over, including from below his ears to his toes. Do not use any sort of human shampoo on any dog. Human shampoos are too rough on dogs’ skin and contain many chemicals that may hurt a dog. Rinse your pup to ensure that every bit of shampoo has been lifted from his coat. Continue to offer treats during this process, and remember that he can sense your emotions. If you are anxious to complete this bath, then he will be, too.

When finished with the bath, make sure your pup is completely dry. This may take many towels. You can use a hair dryer, but be sure to keep it at least 6 inches away from the your dog's skin at all time to avoid any burning. Brushing him at this point can also help dry faster. If he is left wet, he can catch a cold very quickly. Brushing your dog's fur will also help decrease shedding and mats. Use a good brush according to the type of fur or hair your dog has.

After you are done with this process, you can clean his face with a wet cloth. If your pup has tear stains, you can use tear stain removal pads and scrub his face. Clean in and behind his ears with a slightly damp towel, using care not to get his ears too wet. You can also use q-tips and or cotton swabs to clean out the inside of the his ears, along with ear cleansing washes made for dogs. There are many colognes that are made specifically for dogs, and this would be an ideal time to use them. Now, enjoy your nice clean dog!