Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Prepare your bathing area
• Part 2 of 3: Prepare your dog
• Part 3 of 3: Calming Your Dog While Bathing
• Tips
• Warnings
• Additional articles

Dogs often panic and try to run away when they are bathed. The feeling of wet fur and the loud noise of flowing water can scare your pet. It will take a lot of effort to gradually train your dog to bathe. The animal will not necessarily start to love this process, but at least it will not struggle, and you will not have to chase it around the house.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Prepare your bathing area

1. 1 Place a rubber mat in the area where the dog is bathing. This prevents your pet from slipping on wet surfaces. This is especially important if you are going to bathe your pet in the tub. A dog can slip and fall easily in a wet bath. As a result, the animal may panic, and bathing will begin to be associated with very unpleasant feelings.
2. 2 Bring everything you need into the bathroom before you start bathing. You should have everything you need at hand during the bathing process. If you put your dog in the tub and then go out to get shampoo, he may run away. In addition, the animal can perceive it as a game and chase after you. Stock up on supplies before you take your dog to the bathroom.
   • You will need some treats, towels, shampoo, a brush, and a sponge. It might be worth using a hypoallergenic or mild conditioner shampoo. If you are concerned about the shampoo getting in your pet's eyes, consider using a tear-free shampoo.
3. 3 Make sure the water is warm. Your pet will not like it if the water is too cold or hot. Before bathing, try the water with your hand and make sure it is warm. If the water is too hot or cold, the dog may experience shock and try to break free and run away.
4. 4 Ask someone to help you. If possible, get someone's support. Your helper will be able to hold the animal and distract it while bathing. In addition, he will offer the dog a treat during or after bathing, so that you do not have to be distracted from washing the animal, which may cause it to slip out and run away.

Part 2 of 3: Prepare your dog

1. 1 Learn more about bathing your dog. Various ways are described below to help calm your pet while bathing. You will find a full description of the bathing process in the article How to wash your dog. This article explains in detail how to bathe and clean your dog, and what remedies should be used.
2. 2 Start bathing your dog at an early age. It will be much easier for you to bathe your pet if you accustom him to this procedure even as a puppy. First, it will be much smaller, making bathing easier. Secondly, your dog will learn from an early age that bathing should not be afraid, and will behave much more calmly during water procedures.
   • Try to ensure that bathing is always associated with positive emotions in the dog. Never throw your pet into water, otherwise it may experience panic, and this fear will persist for the rest of its life. Gradually wet the animal's fur so that it has time to get used to the water.
3. 3 Train your pet to a certain signal that would signal that it is time to swim. If you silently take your dog and take him to the bathroom, it can shock him and he will try to break free and run away. Instead, signal the animal with a specific word or phrase.If the dog is already familiar with this signal, it will help him calm down. You can use the word “wash” or “bathe”. Repeat the chosen word several times before bathing your pet for the first time. Over time, the dog will begin to distinguish it and will know that it is associated with bathing. As a result, water procedures will not be unexpected, and the animal will become more calm about them.
4. 4 Don't chase your pet. If the dog panics before bathing, it will try to run away. Do not chase after her, otherwise she will perceive it as a game and continue to run away. Your pet may like this “play”, and he will run away every time before bathing. Instead, try to attract the animal with some kind of treat. When the dog is close enough, grab the collar and take him to the bathroom.

Part 3 of 3: Calming Your Dog While Bathing

1. 1 Treat your dog to a tasty treat when it is in the bath. To keep your pet calm, train him to associate bathing with pleasant things. The easiest way is to treat him with something delicious. Give your dog a variety of treats while bathing. Give her a treat right after she's in the bath before you start washing.
2. 2 Slowly wet the coat. Even if the water is at the right temperature, the dog can get scared if it gets wet too quickly. Do not dip her into the water right away, or she will panic and try to escape. Instead, sprinkle water lightly on her breasts first. If the dog remains calm, increase the amount of water and gradually wet the entire body.
3. 3 Praise your pet constantly. Let's understand that you are happy with the dog's behavior and say “good dog” and other similar phrases to it in a gentle voice. Doing so will dispel her fears and help her stay calm.
4. 4 Place dog toys in the tub. If your pet has a favorite toy, put it in the tub in front of him. Your dog will be able to play with the soy toy while you wash it. As a result, the animal will be distracted and forget about its worries and fears.
   • The toy will also contribute to the fact that bathing will begin to be associated with the dog not with fear, but with fun and games. This will prove useful in the future, and your pet will be more willing to bathe.
5. 5 Lather your hands with the shampoo before applying it to your dog's coat. The sudden sensation of shampoo on the coat can scare the dog into trying to escape. To avoid this, squeeze the shampoo onto your hands and rub them together, and only then rub the shampoo over the fur of the animal.
6. 6 Make sure that no water gets into the ears of the animal. Dogs have very sensitive ears and can experience pain and discomfort if water gets into them. If water gets into your dog's ears, it will most likely try to escape. To avoid this, it is best not to pour water on the animal's face at all. Instead, wipe off the fur around your eyes and mouth with a damp cloth.
   • Some people recommend that you plug your ears with cotton balls to prevent water from getting into them. However, this can frighten the animal even more. If your pet is nervous, it is best not to cover his ears. Just don't pour water on the dog's head. Apply a drop of shampoo to a soft washcloth or sponge and wipe it over your face, head, and outside of your ears. Use a wet washcloth to remove shampoo residue and dirt. Most dogs enjoy rubbing their head, ears and muzzle.
7. 7 Use a shower head with an adjustable water flow. Too much water pressure can scare your pet. Get a shower head with an adjustable water flow to keep your dog comfortable while bathing.
8. 8 If your dog is worried, treat him with another tasty treat. Keep the treat close at hand to help calm the animal as soon as it gets worried. Place the treat so that you can reach it, or have your helper take over.Since you don't bathe your pet every day, you can pamper him with treats more than on other days.
9. 9 If you are annoyed, do not show it to your dog. Bathing your dog can be tricky, especially if the dog is reluctant. Don't show your pet that you are angry. Do not yell at the dog, otherwise it will begin to associate water procedures with something negative and will become afraid of them. Try to associate bathing with pleasant things.
10. 10 After bathing, treat your dog to a treat. Water procedures will be noticeably easier if the animal knows that a reward awaits him at the end. Never forget to reward your dog after bathing. Thus, you will accustom her to the fact that after bathing, a delicacy awaits her.
11. 11 Change your environment. Bathing your dog in the tub can be tricky: the dog may be afraid of the bath, often slipping in it, and splashing dirty water. If your pet doesn't like bathing very much, try bathing it elsewhere so that the water treatments cause less rejection.
    • Wash your dog outdoors. The dog may prefer to wash outside. In this case, you do not have to put it in the bathtub. If your dog doesn't like bathing, remember to put on a leash to prevent it from escaping during the water treatment. In this case, you should also associate bathing with pleasant things, so follow all the steps outlined above: gradually wet the animal's fur, treat him with a treat, give him toys and ask someone to help you and distract the dog.
    • Take your pet to the dog parlor for proper bathing. As a rule, in such places there is a lot of space, and it is much easier to bathe the dog there than in a cramped home bath. Experienced specialists will take care of your pet. These parlors have shampoos and towels, so all you need to do is bring the dog. You can also bring your pet's favorite toys and treats with you. Remember, you need to teach your dog that bathing is a good and pleasant experience, so you should associate it with a positive experience. Do the same as at home to keep your pet calm while bathing.

Tips

• Relax. Show your four-legged friend that you are not tense so that he, too, can relax.
• Praise your dog while bathing and treat him with a treat afterwards. Thus, you will teach the animal to love water procedures.
• Praise your pet for good bathing behavior and reward him with something tasty. As a result, he will think that the bath is a source of goodies.
• Talk to your dog while bathing to calm it down.

Warnings

• Never show your irritation or yell at your dog. This will only scare her, and she will become even more afraid of bathing.

Additional articles

How to train dogs with a clicker How to trim a dog's claws How to clean a dog's ears How to reduce excess shedding in dogs How to tell if your dog is depressed How to Get Rid of Bad Dog Smell How to Redeem a Puppy for the First Time How to determine the age of a puppy How to put a dog to sleep How to make your dog love you How to calm your dog How to understand that a dog's labor is over How to make friends with a cat and a dog How to get your dog to drink water