Bathe your puppy

Video: How To NOT Totally Screw Up Your Puppy’s First Bath! (EP 15)

Content

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Method 1 of 3: Assess if your puppy needs a bath
Method 2 of 3: Prepare to bathe your puppy
Method 3 of 3: Wash and dry your puppy
Tips

A wet puppy with soapy water in his coat may be very cute to us, but your puppy may feel very uncomfortable when he takes a bath for the first time. Your puppy will not understand why his coat is getting wet with water and may be scared or surprised. It is therefore necessary to wash your puppy as gently as possible. In addition to reassuring your puppy, make sure that he stays comfortable and that you are using the right products. If you do this, you will have a clean, fresh puppy who will be happy to be bathed again later.

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Method 1 of 3: Assess if your puppy needs a bath

Find out if your puppy has had a bath recently. It's a good idea to bathe your puppy once a month, but you are unlikely to dry out his skin if you use a mild shampoo and bathe him once every two weeks. The dog skin is quite simple and if you wash it too often you run the risk of removing good oils that care for the skin and keep your dog's coat soft.
See if your dog has dry skin. Signs of dry skin include dandruff and a dull, rough-to-the-touch coat. If your puppy has dry skin, bathe him less often.
Find out if your puppy rolled through something. Regardless of whether you last bath your puppy, there will be times when you need to bathe him immediately. Don't hesitate to give your puppy a good bath if it smells exceptionally or has become very dirty.

Method 2 of 3: Prepare to bathe your puppy

Comb out your puppy's coat. Before you wet your puppy's coat, it is necessary to comb out all tangles and knots. Depending on the coat type, use a wide tooth comb (for a rough, unruly coat) or a fine-tooth comb (for a silky coat) and thoroughly comb through your puppy's coat. Focus especially on areas where the fur rubs against itself, such as behind the ears, under the armpits, and in the groin.
- Carefully cut knots from the coat. If the hair is too tightly knotted, try to get the comb between the knot and the skin. Then carefully cut away the knot in the coat with scissors. Cut above the comb and away from the skin.
- If your puppy is very reluctant, don't try to do this alone. You can cut your puppy's skin if he moves at the wrong time. Instead, wait for a friend to hold the puppy for you so you have both hands free to find the knot and cut it safely from the coat.
Put on clothes that you don't mind getting wet. Even a small puppy can get quite wet shaking his coat, so it may be a good idea to change into old clothes or wear a water-resistant apron.
Decide where to bathe the puppy. If you want to bathe a puppy of a large breed of dog, it is best to do it in the bathroom as this area is more water-resistant than other areas. However, you can wash a small puppy in the sink in the kitchen or the sink in the bathroom.
- If the weather is very hot, you can also wash your puppy outside in a tub or baby bath. However, the weather must be very hot before you can use cold water (for example, from a garden hose) to bathe a young puppy, as puppies get cold very quickly.
Choose a nice, mild dog shampoo. Don't buy shampoo that just smells good. Make sure to buy a shampoo that not only smells good, but also moisturizes or makes your dog's coat shine.
- Never use human shampoo to wash your puppy. A dog's skin is more sensitive than a human's, and a human shampoo is too harsh and has the wrong pH.
- If you're not sure which shampoo to use, a dog shampoo with oatmeal is a great choice because it is mild and moisturizing.
- You can use a detangler and conditioner if your puppy has a medium to long coat.
- If you don't know which shampoo to use or are concerned that your puppy has very sensitive skin, ask the vet which brand of shampoo he or she recommends.
Prepare the area for the bath. Whether you're using a tub or a sink, put a non-slip mat on the bottom so your puppy feels safe and doesn't slip. This can scare him.
- Also have some towels ready and put the dog shampoo by the bath. Make sure you have these items within reach when you bathe your puppy.
Fill the tub without your puppy in it. Run the tap until the water is comfortably warm and about the temperature of a baby bath. When in doubt, take the elbow test where you dip your elbow in the water to see if the water feels slightly warmer than your skin. Determine if the water is too cold or too warm and adjust the temperature before putting your puppy in the water.
- Fill the tub with about 4 to 5 inches of water (for a large breed puppy) or to just below the puppy's elbows (if you have a small puppy). This way your dog will not feel like it is drowning. Most puppies will enjoy playing in this amount of water.
Focus on reassuring your puppy. Make sure you speak to him in a soft and happy voice. Keep telling him how smart he is. Just keep in mind that your puppy may find it scary to bathe for the first time, so follow all steps as gently as possible. Continue to pet your puppy throughout the process to keep him calm and in a good mood.

Method 3 of 3: Wash and dry your puppy

Pay attention to your puppy. After you bathe your puppy, it is very important to let your puppy know how obedient he is. You can also reward him with a favorite dog treat. In this way you reward good behavior.