Taking your pup a bath does require a little caution. Puppies have sensitive skin, and will need dog shampoo for their bath. If your furry friend has a skin condition, you may need to consult with your vet for the best type of shampoos you can use. Some shampoo can even help treat certain skin conditions on your puppy’s body.
Read on to find out more helpful tips on bathing your pup!
How Often Should You Bathe Your Puppy?
The amount of times you should bathe your puppy depends on several factors. These include:
- Hair length: Long hair often traps dirt and other debris, while shorter hair means they are less grimy.
- Energy level: Some puppies love being indoors. Others prefer to run around in their backyards with their favorite humans. An active puppy is more likely to be dirtier than one who is more laidback.
- Allergies and skin conditions: If your puppy has allergies or certain types of skin conditions, they may need a bath more often (or even less). Consult with your vet to determine what the best course of action is for your furbaby.
How To Bathe Your Puppy
- Start off by brushing your pup’s coat to get rid of dirt, loose hair, and debris from the skin.
- Place a rubber mat under your puppy’s feet so when you bathe them, they don’t slip!
- Always use warm water to bathe your puppy.
- When you begin bathing, you should always start shampooing at your puppy’s neck before moving all the way down to their little paws.
- Avoid getting water and shampoo into your puppy’s eyes as this can irritate them.
- Once you’ve finished rubbing shampoo all over their bodies, start rinsing with warm water, making sure all soap is washed out.
- Now, your puppy is all nice and wet from their bath! They may get cold if you wait too long so be sure to have a towel ready. With your puppy’s towel, dry their entire body.
- After you’ve finished drying up their hair, brush their fur again. This keeps their hair from becoming knotted and tangled together.
- As you’re brushing your puppy, observe for any dry skin or other skin conditions. If you notice your pup’s skin is dry, do not bathe them as often.
- We recommend rewarding your furry friend with treats and praises! This helps your puppy associate bath time with good feelings. Eventually, your puppy will not make a fuss with bath time and learn to bond with you!
Puppies should not be bathed frequently, but use your judgment if you aren’t sure. A smelly puppy definitely means they need a bath. If your puppy isn’t dirty enough for a bath, you can try giving them a quick wash to rinse off any dirt.
Bathing your puppy, overall, should be a bonding experience for the both of you. Avoid yelling or scolding your pup, and always give them hugs after a bath!
Does your puppy have a chewing habit? Check out our blog, How to Train Your Puppy to Stop Chewing for our training tips!