Inevitably, the puppy will eventually get dirty as he tries to explore the world. When you feel that now is a good time to bathe your pet puppy, it's a good idea to plan ahead to ensure that the puppy bathing experience is safe and enjoyable. Don't force your puppy to rush into it, and scare him for the rest of his life! Take it slow and reassure the puppy that bathing is a good thing for him.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Preparing for the Puppy Bathing
Step 1. Make the puppy bath area a positive place
Before you try bathing your puppy for the first time, play with him in the tub or sink a few times, without using water. Give him treats and lots of compliments - make him think it's a fun place. Let him sniff and explore the place to his heart's content.
- Get the puppy used to the area for a few days. She should be completely comfortable in the bathing area before you try to bathe her for the first time.
- If the puppy is very small, you can choose a dog bath that is more comfortable for you and your dog, such as a sink in the kitchen.
Step 2. Introduce him to the water slowly
Once your puppy is no longer unfamiliar with the dry bathing area, start getting him used to the water. Turn the faucet on and let the water run while he's outside the tub or sink, so he gets used to the sound. Splash a little water on his body to show that there is nothing to be afraid of. Once he's comfortable enough, fill the sink or tub with a little water and play with him while he's in the water. Give him lots of treats and compliments, and never rush him, especially when he seems scared or indecisive.
Step 3. Purchase a special type of shampoo formulated for dogs
Dog skin needs are very different from humans. You can't use human shampoo for puppies as it will dry out their skin and make it more susceptible to parasites, bacteria, and viruses. Therefore, buy a mild shampoo containing oatmeal specially formulated for use on dogs, at a pet store.
Step 4. Prepare a bath area for the puppy
Place a clean washcloth moistened with water at the bottom of the tub/sink, so the puppy doesn't slip once the tub fills with soapy water. Alternatively, you can also use a non-slip mat. A puppy who feels that he is about to fall will become frightened and will not obey.
Step 5. Wear appropriate clothing
Of course, you don't want to wet and ruin a nice outfit with water, dog hair, and foam or liquid shampoo. Therefore, wear comfortable clothes that you will need to wash later. Clothes will definitely get wet and dirty when you bathe your puppy, especially when the puppy will try to approach and cling to you with his wet body, and will often shake his body.
In addition, you should also predict that the bathroom floor will be full of splashes of water
Step 6. Assess for any distractions that could interfere with bathing the puppy
Of course, you don't want to leave and take care of something else in the middle of bathing your puppy. Make sure children or other pets are supervised by others. Then make sure you're not cooking anything on the stove or oven, or that you're not waiting for an important guest or phone call.
Step 7. Gather all the equipment and line up before you take the puppy bath
You'll need dog shampoo, a cup or other container for rinsing, and plenty of towels. Also, prepare treats to help your puppy associate bath time with positive experiences.
Step 8. Comb the puppy's fur
Tangled and unkempt hair is easier to comb when dry, so make sure you brush it before your bathing session begins. Using a special dog comb, gently smooth out the tangled hair. Don't pull on him and make him feel sick. Be patient and remember, give him lots of compliments. Puppies need to get used to being groomed too!
Step 9. Make the puppy as comfortable as possible
Previously, he had to throw water so as not to do it while bathing. The temperature in the house must also be warm so that he does not get cold when bathing. The water used for bathing them should be lukewarm – it should be lower than the warm water temperature that you find comfortable for humans.
- Test the temperature of the water using your elbow or wrist, as you would when preparing bath water for a baby. If the water is warm enough for humans, it is still too hot for puppies!
- The water level should be about half the dog's height so the water doesn't soak him and drown him.
Step 10. Take a deep breath and relax
Bathing a puppy who looks nervous and gets too easily scared or excited may be stressful. When you're feeling stressed, puppies can feel it! The more calm you are (as the puppy's "group leader"), the calmer he will feel. Play some calm, calm music to relax you, so you can be an example to puppies. Speak to him in a happy yet calm tone of voice, to reassure him that you are by his side and that everything will be fine.
- Waiting until all the kids are out of the house might be a good idea. Giggling or screeching sounds can be stressful for a puppy.
- At the very least, don't let other people tease your puppy at bath time, because puppies may find bath time scary.
Method 2 of 2: Bathing the Puppy
Step 1. Bring the puppy into the bathing area
Don't call him when you're about to do something he might not like. It is vital that you ensure that your calling is always associated with a positive experience. That way, he will always come when called instead of avoiding you or running away.
- “Come here” is a very important command, and you can ruin a puppy's response to it with just one bad association.
- Pick up the puppy without having to chase him, then take him calmly to the bathing area.
- Keep talking to him all the time in a happy and calm manner. Bathing a dog is not a race, so don't stress yourself or your puppy.
Step 2. Close the door to the puppy bath area once you're inside, so the puppy can't escape
This may be stressful for her, so take a moment to cuddle her and play with her in the enclosed shower area, so she can relax before her bath.
Step 3. Once he is calm and happy, lift and place the puppy in the water slowly, starting with the hind legs
Make sure the head stays above the surface of the water. The water level should not be more than half his height, so use a cup to gently and slowly wash the dry parts of his body.
- You can use a stream of water from a detachable shower or faucet. However, don't use it if your dog looks scared.
- Speak in a soothing tone. Give him treats and compliments.
Step 4. Pour dog shampoo into the palm of your hand, then run your fingers through the puppy's wet fur
Use only a little shampoo, not too much because it will be difficult to rinse it from the hair until clean.
Don't forget to shampoo your dog's tail. This part must also be cleaned
Step 5. Hold the puppy's body, if the situation is stressful such as when he tries to jump out of the water
Hold her back in a soothing motion. Do not force him, but guide him in the best position. As you go through this process, speak in a soothing tone, and always make slow movements. Sudden movements or jerks can frighten the puppy, which can lead to injury in the tub due to the slippery slope.
Hold her close and give her a compliment to show her that being held back for a while isn't a bad thing
Step 6. Rinse off the shampoo after you've thoroughly cleaned the puppy's body and fur
Use a stream of water from the showerhead or a spray from the faucet if using it doesn't scare the puppy. If he is afraid, use a cup or other container to wash his body with water. Whichever method you use, always avoid watering the puppy's head and ears. Doing so can frighten him and potentially cause an ear infection.
- Discard and replace soapy water if needed. Remember, puppies can get cold and start to shiver from it. You have to avoid that from happening.
- It is important that you remove all soap residue on your puppy's fur, as soap residue left behind can cause itching. Take your time and be thorough.
Step 7. Consider your options for washing the puppy's head
Actually, you don't have to wet his head now and take it slow next time. But if you wet his head, do not immediately splash his head with water because he will feel scared and wet ears can potentially become infected. Try one of the following methods:
- Pour warm water on the back of the dog's head using a cup, and do not wet his face. Tilt the nose up so the water flows down towards the body, not into the eyes or nose.
- If your puppy can't hold it in, use a very wet washcloth (no soap) to clean his face.
- Another way you can wet your puppy's face is to cover each ear hole with both earlobes. Gently and slowly, lower his nose down towards the floor and pour the water so that it runs down the back of his head. Your hands should protect the eyes while pressing the earlobe to cover the ear canal.
- Be careful when you try to protect your ears with cotton balls. Remember, remove the cotton ball again after bathing the puppy. Or, don't use a cotton ball at all if it annoys the puppy and keeps him shaking his head.
Step 8. Dry the puppy after you have thoroughly rinsed all the soap from his coat
Lift him out of the tub and wrap him in a towel. Leave the head open. After you've gently rubbed his body, let the towel rest on his body and then place him on the floor. Let him sway to his heart's content - after all, a towel that's still attached will absorb a lot of water and minimize soiling. You can command him while he is doing this, so he knows that shaking his body to splash the water at this point will not make you angry.
- Constantly tell him that he is a good dog, and give him lots of other compliments.
- Dry him with a towel as best you can. Dry the head and face very gently.
- Set aside the old, ugly towels that you would only use for dogs.
Step 9. Be careful if you use a hairdryer
Do not set the dryer to the highest heat setting, as dog skin is highly flammable. If you must use it, set it to the "air" setting without heat.
- The sound of the blow dryer and the sensation the puppy feels when it's drying may frighten him. Introduce him to the blow dryer gently before you give him the first bath, just as you would when you introduce him to water and the tub area.
- To make the puppy bathing experience enjoyable, play with him, praise him, and reward him with food.
- Do not direct the air into the puppy's eyes. Puppies' eyes can be dry.
Step 10. Until the body is completely dry, don't let the puppy get into places where it can get cold; keep it in a warm room
Also, don't let them into the kitchen, bedroom, or any other room in the house, so that the room isn't cluttered and the smell of a dog when it's wet doesn't stick to all corners of the house. Most likely, the puppy will run around and splash water all over the place after bathing. But this is normal and predictable. Consider this habit a part of your dog's life and accept it.
Step 11. You may consider seeking professional advice
If you feel that bathing your puppy is too difficult for both you and your puppy, seek advice from a professional dog salon. Ask about the process they go through in bathing the puppy for the first time. You can also take your puppy to a dog salon for the first bath, but don't forget to observe the process and ask for advice.
- If your puppy has not yet completed a series of vaccinations, you should take special precautions before taking him to the dog salon.
- You can take your puppy early in the morning to the dog salon and make him the first customer to serve, to protect the other dogs. After the puppy has been bathed and groomed, the staff at the dog salon must disinfect the bath tub, kennel, and tables used to groom the dog's appearance.
Tips
- Don't be surprised if you see dandruff on your dog's coat while you're drying and combing its coat. Do not panic! Dandruff is a normal reaction to stressful situations for your dog, and it doesn't have any effect.
- Don't bathe your puppy until he's really dirty or smells bad.
- Bathing a puppy too often (more than a weekly habit) will strip the protective oil from the coat.
- Make sure the bath water used is not too hot, and not too cold.
- Bathe the puppy gently, moreover this process is the first time for him.
- Try to talk to the puppy through a soft song.
Warning
- Do not be rude or hurt the dog in any way. Considering this was his first time bathing, it was only natural that his natural reaction would be fear or surprise.
- Do not leave the puppy alone in the water unsupervised, as the puppy may drown.
