How to Wash a Puppy
Puppies are adorable, cuddly, and full of personality, and they may hold the secret to happiness. But, we can’t deny that they stink sometimes.
Also, it doesn’t help that some puppies will see the bath as their new mortal enemy. There is, however, a technique to make bath time fun for both you and your dog. So, keep reading to learn how to wash a puppy with minimal loss of dignity.
How to Wash a Puppy 101: Get Your Supplies
Gather all of the necessary supplies ahead of time. Puppies dislike bathing when they are scared, so prepare ahead of time and out of his sight. This contains dog shampoo, cotton balls, mineral oil, a washcloth, old clothing (for you to wear since you will get wet! ), and at least twice as many towels as you believe you will need.
Use only puppy-approved shampoos. People products, particularly human baby shampoo, are made for oily scalps and may dry out your puppy’s sensitive skin and create allergic responses.
Also, you’ll want to take him to a pet groomer semi-frequently. Thankfully, you can find a dog groomer here and save yourself some research time.
Puppy Washing Needs Two Hands
Two-handed “dog bathing” is easier. Bath tethers with suction cups attach to the tub or sink and the puppy’s leash, and you can leash the dog to something fixed when washing outdoors.
Cotton in the pet’s ears will keep water out. Mineral oil or artificial tears protect eyes from stray suds. Puddle the dog. A level with his knees is enough to give him the sense he can stand over it without drowning.
Acclimate Your Pup to Water (Gently)
Dip the pup in water with a plastic cup or ladle, or use a hand-held sprayer. Many puppies are terrified of sprayed water, so use low power and hold the sprayer on the coat to saturate the hair.
Don’t spray or soak the puppy’s face; it’s really frightening. Instead, clean and cleanse your face with a washcloth.
Once the fur is damp, apply a small stream of pet shampoo down the back—or lather the shampoo in your hands before applying—and completely saturate the pooch, then rinse. If you’re going to use a flea solution, wash the dog’s neck first to create a flea barrier that bugs won’t penetrate. Most shampoos, particularly flea shampoos, perform best when left on for ten to fifteen minutes.
Rinse and Repeat
The rinse cycle is the most crucial step in washing your dog.
If soap is left in the coat, it may induce an allergic response, collect dirt, and make the fur seem dull and dirty. So, after properly rinsing the puppy, do it again before calling it quits. Then let your pooch do what he’s been wanting all along: shake off the water.
Puppy Washing Tips: Explained
Do you know what would make your daily cuddle with your puppy even better? It’s when they smell like vanilla and caramel. That can only happen with regular puppy washing.
Bathing should be done on a monthly basis since your dog’s skin and hair get clogged with oil and grime over time. So, we hope that our little guide on how to wash a puppy has given you some confidence on how to help your pup tackle the bathtub with no issues.
Next, you’ll want to check out our pet section for more tips and advice on training your puppy.
