How to Give Puppy a Bath

Bathing your New Puppy

It’s the first ever bath for the four legged baby of your family and you’re excited but at the same time nervous about it. This is understandable because you will never know how the puppy might react but it is actually quite easy. I have prepared an easy to read guide on how to give puppy a bath in such a way that both you and your dog get through it without any mishaps.

One thing that you need to be aware of when you want to give your puppy a bath is that ideally, puppies should be about ten to twelve weeks old for their first bath. Newborns to about a month old are not recommended for baths at all. If they are excessively dirty or smelly, you can wipe them clean with a moist cloth. Usually, puppies are given tongue baths by their mothers to keep them clean and well groomed but when the mother is not there to clean them up, you might have to step in. I’m not saying you give your puppy a tongue bath in place of his Mom; I’m just saying it’s time to prepare for his first bath! 

Preparation

A lot of people prefer bathroom sinks or kitchen sinks but I recommend that you bathe your puppy for the first time in a large basin in your bathroom or kitchen floor, anywhere ground level if possible. Elevated sinks can be dangerous because they are quite high and a long way down if your puppy is especially movable and difficult to restrain. If you insist on bathing in an elevated sink or you believe your puppy will not move about too much, take the necessary precautions such as a padded mat or a thick towel around your feet, just in case. It is also a good idea to place a towel at the bottom of the sink itself so the puppy will not slip on the porcelain sink.

You might be tempted to bathe your puppy outdoors in a basin or tub; this should be fine as long as it is a sunny day with little or no wind to send chills down his spine. Puppies are sensitive to cold and they may not recover from the chill of an outdoor bath on a particularly windy day. Try to get the puppy used to the sound of running water a few days before his bath so he won’t be startled by it. You should also familiarize him with the basin or sink where you intend to bathe him for the next few months or years.

I recommend bathing your puppy on your own for the first few times, until the puppy is comfortable with the procedure. If you need help, get another adult to help you. Children are very eager to do help but their exuberance can add to the anxiety of the puppy. Teaching a child how to give puppy a bath might also add to your stress of keeping the puppy in check and trying to do things right the first time. When you are confident enough with your own efforts, invite your child to help.

Right before you are supposed to bathe your four legged buddy for the first time, try to keep any possible interruptions at bay. Put your phone on silent as a sudden ring might startle you or the puppy. A call might also make you want to reach out and answer it. Phones and wriggly puppies in a sink full of water definitely do not mix well. Do not schedule your puppy’s bath around the time that you usually have visitors or expect the mail man.

Water

Use warm water for your puppy’s first bath. This way he will not be anxious and will not try to wriggle out of the sink or basin. Place the puppy first into the empty sink and slowly fill it with water, just enough to cover his paws. Try not to make a loud sound or splash when filling the basin with water. This might spook him even if he is already used to the sound of running water. Assess his reaction to the warm water, if it is okay, continue to moisten his coat from the neck down with the water. You can use a movable faucet with a soft and smooth burst of water that is not alarming or too noisy. A dipper or a plastic cup can also be used to wet him from the neck down. Please do not pour warm water directly on your puppy’s face or head. His ears should be avoided at all cost because water in the ears can lead to health issues. The best way to clean his head and face would be to use a moist towel to wipe the area clean.

Your puppy might also react to being drenched with water by peeing or pooping. Anxiety and nervousness on top of still not being able to control his bladder can increase the risk of your puppy peeing in his bathwater. Encourage him to pee or poop before you bathe him but if it an accident happens during bath time, please try to understand his anxiety. The best that you can do if this happens is to change his bathwater and continue.

Shampoo

Consult your vet regarding the kind of shampoo or soap for a puppy. Strong smelling shampoos and soaps might overwhelm the little guy and make him anxious to get out of the already unfamiliar setting. Opt for light scents if you can and let your puppy be familiar with the scent a few days before giving him a bath.

Once your puppy is thoroughly wet from the neck down, pour some shampoo on your hand and spread it on his coat; while massaging gently. You are likely to need several dollops of shampoo for his legs, belly, chest and backside. There is no need to apply shampoo or soap on the head or face yet. A moist towel will clean up this area well enough. If you really want to pour some water on his head, hold his ears down on the side of his head to prevent water from getting in. This move may need some practice so do this carefully if this is your first time. Applying soap or shampoo on the head will mean rinsing it off with more water. Please take care not to let any in his ears. If your puppy will allow you to stuff cotton balls in his ears, the better. 

Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement works for bath time as well as teaching tricks. To motivate your puppy, you might like to try giving him treats after you have added the initial warm water to the sink. This can distract him enough from the wet feeling in his feet. Put these treats under the sink or away from his line of sight. He might try to get to them while you are bathing him if they are just within his line of sight. Another way to make bath time positive is to familiarize puppy with the sink or basin by putting him in it a few weeks or days before his first bath. Let him sniff around and give him some tasty treats while he is in the basin. It would also help to call him to the bathroom, or wherever you plan to bathe him,every once in a while and give him a treat or two while he is in there.

Ending the Bath

It is not just the water that needs to be warm when you bathe your puppy. I hate stepping out of a warm bath into a chilly bathroom and I believe that your puppy will find it unpleasant as well. Find a way to warm your bathroom so as not to traumatize the puppy after his bath. Make sure that his head is outside when you wrap him up in a fluffy towel. I emphasize using a fluffy towel because the thickness can easily absorb excess water and block off any gusts of cold air. Try not to be too vigorous when you rub the puppy as they are still too young and small. Would you believe that they can also suffer from similar issues as shaken baby syndrome?

You do not need to use a hairdryer on your puppy after his first bath. The loud noise might just negatively reinforce his already alarming experience. If you want your puppy to get used to a hair dryer, slowly introduce it some other time.

Keep your puppy buddy in one room until he is sufficiently dry after his bath. Dogs tend to rub themselves on the ground or grass to get rid of any excess water. Releasing him outdoors as soon as he gets out of his bath will just lead to him getting dirty again as he tries to rub off water. After you have rubbed him down to your satisfaction, pace the towel on the floor where he can roll and rub himself on it to his satisfaction. You can also provide a new, dry towel for him on the floor. 

To make the entire time the least alarming for your puppy, praise him as much as possible. Try to keep your self calm and collected, since dogs can easily pick up on our moods. Prepare all the things that you need for his bath and dress comfortably. It is important that your puppy is comfortable with the idea of bathing especially if he is a large dog and needs more effort.

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