So it’s time to give your pup a bath… If you don’t want to go to a groomer, then you’ll want a good idea on how to bathe your dog properly.
Location
First, you’ll want to decide where you’re going to bathe your dog. This will depend on their size. If they’re just a puppy or a small breed, then you can bathe them in the kitchen or utility sink. If they’re on the larger side, a bathtub or stand up shower will do the trick.
If you don’t feel like cleaning up the aftermath of your dog’s hair and dirt, you can check if your area has a bathing facility you can go to.
Equipment
- You’ll want to purchase a dog shampoo and conditioner. You can find them online on Amazon or Chewy. Don’t use your shampoo and conditioner on them; dogs and humans have different pH levels in their skin.
- Plenty of towels and/or a hairdryer.
- A brush. This is only necessary if your dog has medium to long hair.
- And of course, treats!
Getting into the bath
Not every dog enjoys getting wet, so it may be difficult to get them in the tub/shower. Let them it’s okay, and try coaxing them into the bath with treats. If you have to carry them into the tub, make sure you do it slowly and calmly, so they’re not more stressed than they already may be.
Give them treats and praise, so you’re reinforcing it’s okay.
Bathing
Once they’re in the bath, make sure the water is at a warm, comfortable temperature. Lather their body with shampoo and rub it all over; back, chest, stomach, between the toes, tail, neck, armpits, and top of the head. Rinse and then reapply shampoo.
It’s a good idea to shampoo them twice because the first wash will get rid of the dirt, while the second wash will clean more of their skin. After the second wash, you can rub in the conditioner, so their skin and coat are moisturized. Let the condition sit for 2-3 minutes, during the wait you can give your dog some treats. Then rinse.
To clean their face, you can either use your hand or a washcloth and gently rub their face with a little bit of shampoo mixed with water. Then carefully wipe their face with water to remove the soapy mixture.
Drying
Once they’re all cleaned, it’s time for drying. You may need 2-3 towels or more depending on their size and amount of hair they have. It’s okay if they’re a tiny bit wet, just make sure most of their neck and underarms are completely dry. You can also try using a hairdryer to make the drying process quicker.
If your dog has medium to long hair, it’s a good idea to brush it out as they’re drying off. This will help prevent tangles and matting.