How to bathe a puppy

It is important to bathe a puppy not only correctly, but also pleasantly. If the first acquaintance with the bath procedures is not successful, the puppy will be nervous before each visit to the bathroom. Simple rules will help to avoid mistakes and instill in your pet pleasant associations with water procedures – there are only seven of them!

• Prepare your swimming area ahead of time

Depending on the size of the puppy, you can wash it in the tub or in a basin on a stable base. To make the pet feel confident, do not slip or hurt yourself, put a rubber mat or towel on the bottom. A lot of water is not needed: it is enough that it covers the paws or reaches the elbow joints.

Optimal temperature for bathing a puppy: 35-37°C

The first bath is best done together with a partner: additional support will not hurt. In addition, the puppy is easier to lather and rinse.

• Read instructions before, not during bathing

Before bathing, carefully read the instructions for the shampoo, conditioner and other products that you plan to use. If the product is concentrated, then it must be diluted with water before use. Consider other nuances: how to combine products, in what order to apply, whether you need to wait or wash off right away. For example, ISB Traditional shampoo and conditioner for puppies, the manufacturer recommends keeping it on the coat for 3 minutes to maximize the effect. When you put your puppy in the bath, you won’t have time to study the recommendations.

• Wash according to the scheme

First, gently dampen the coat, then lather it with a special shampoo, gently massage in the direction of hair growth and rinse until it squeaks. After that, apply conditioner to the wet, washed coat. The scheme is the same – massage, rinse.

• Adjust the water pressure from the shower

The sound of water from the shower can scare the puppy. To prevent this from happening, hold the shower head in the palm of your hand and hold it close to the dog’s body – then the water will flow gently and quietly. Wash the puppy’s face by hand with a small amount of mild shampoo that does not irritate the eyes. Protect your pet’s eyes, nose and ears from water and bathing products – the puppy can be very frightened from discomfort.

• Maintain contact with your dog at all times

Talk to the puppy gently during the procedure, even if he is not behaving very well. Be confident and focused, try not to make sudden movements. The atmosphere should be calm. This is very important for the formation of a puppy’s positive attitude towards water procedures and his trust in you. It’s a great idea to bring a treat with you and reward your puppy if he stands calmly in the water.

• Dry the coat thoroughly

Gently wring out the water from the coat, wrap the puppy in a towel and sit with him for 10-15 minutes. This period is your chance to reinforce your pet’s positive associations with bathing. What could be better for a puppy than sitting on the owner’s lap? And if they also treat you with a delicacy and praise you with words, then bathing will definitely become your favorite ritual.

Make sure that the puppy does not freeze and does not get caught in a draft. If the towel gets wet, replace it with a dry one. Otherwise, the pet may get sick.

• Introduce your puppy to the hair dryer

A hair dryer will help to dry the coat quickly and simply. It will save a steamed puppy from hypothermia in a draft. Use a comb or slicker depending on the length and density of the coat. Gently disassemble and comb through tangled hairs under a stream of air. It is better to accustom a puppy to a hair dryer from childhood, so that the acquaintance is as simple as possible. When the pet grows up, you will be glad that you have already managed to accustom him. Imagine how long it would take you to dry a golden retriever with a towel!

Your favorite shampoo, soap, and even the mildest baby shampoo are not pH-appropriate for dogs. If you wash your pet with them, he may experience dry skin, dandruff, itching, an allergic reaction, and the coat will not receive the necessary care and will be dull.

To make your pet’s coat shine, I recommend choosing professional products designed for the delicate skin of puppies. For example, Iv San Bernard Traditional Puppy Shampoo with Talcum Powder is suitable for frequent bathing and daily washing of the muzzle and paws. It does not irritate sensitive skin, does not sting the eyes, gently cleanses the coat and eliminates pathogenic microflora. After the shampoo, be sure to apply the conditioner of the same company. Why this is important, read the article “”.

Be careful with antiparasitic shampoos. They are needed for the prevention of parasites, but in no case are they suitable on an ongoing basis. Medicated dermatological shampoos are also used only according to indications and for a limited time. If you decide to use them without indications, then break the protective barrier of the pet’s skin and provoke dermatitis or an allergic reaction.

Contraindications to bathing – any load on the immune system. These are various diseases, injuries, surgical interventions, the rehabilitation period, severe stress, the period of treatment from parasites and after vaccination.

Bathing a puppy within 2 weeks after vaccination is not recommended.

Most dogs do not mind hygiene procedures, but teaching them to stand still can be difficult. Prepare everything you need for a bath in advance so that you don’t have to leave a frightened puppy in the bath and run for a towel later. 

While swimming, be calm, patient. Move gently but confidently. Watch the convenience of the puppy, communicate with him, encourage, praise for the correct behavior. This will evoke pleasant associations in your pet. He will understand that nothing threatens him.

If the puppy is very afraid of bathing and resists, I recommend calling a professional groomer or dog behaviorist for help. In a stressful situation, it is very easy to make mistakes in handling a pet and further increase his fear of bathing. To avoid such a scenario and quickly make a puppy friends with water and shampoo, a professional will help. 

Ideally, the dog perceives bathing as an interesting game and an additional opportunity to get attention from his human. 

After washing, be sure to treat the puppy with a healthy treat. He deserved it, even if he hadn’t done very well so far. Everything will come with experience!