The Ultimate Guide To Bathing Your Dog

Is there really a time when your fluffy loved one doesn't need a bath? Have you had trouble in the past washing those frisky pups? We answer all your puppy bath time questions here, so read on to become your puppy’s expert groomer at home!

How Often Do I Bathe My Puppy?

From Birth to One Year

Birth- 2 months:

Your puppy's mom most likely will do all the cleaning necessary in this age group. If you have a litter of new fluffy babies consider focusing on the bedding hygiene rather than the puppies. A new mom will often clean her pups to stimulate their digestive system. So be patient and just assist the new dog mom with having fresh bedding and lots of food and water.

2 months- 6 months:

Your puppy is fairly young still but manages to get into a whole lotta mess. In this age group it’s recommended to bathe them when you see fit. This can range from once a week to once a month but no More than 1 time a week so that the natural oils in your dog's hair that protects their skin remains at a healthy level.

6 months.- 1 year & Up:

By now your puppy has been exploring and building up that dirt. Depending on the breed and fur of your dog will decipher how often you bath them now. For example my Maltipoo, Bert, has semi curly Poodle hair. This for me means that the curls in his hair are less prone to building up dirt contrary to my toy Maltese Truffle, who has straight hair, which requires diligent brushing and picks up dirt quite fast. For bigger dog breeds such as my Pitbull Raja, bathes were much less frequent due to her short, coarse hair. An article by Washington State University, veterinarians emphasize how important it is to not over use MEDICATED shampoo. Using medicated shampoo can easily irritate a dog's skin and possibly cause other potentially serious side effects.

So now we’re clear on the AGE stages of bathing your pup, Let's talk about the steps!

9 Steps to Bathing:

1. Prepare Fur

This is such an overlooked step when our fluffy loved ones are covered in dirt yet it's the most important. About 95% ALL of work is preparation so pay attention!

Gently brush your pup's hair with a detangle brush. If there are matts or knots carefully cut those off and continue to smooth out the fur.

2. Gather All Supplies

The worst thing ever is to start bathing your puppy and forgetting a towel or shampoo only having to stop and leave your puppy unattended. Like a child , small dog breeds especially should Never be left unattended at any time. This inhibits the trust your puppy has for you and installs fear that will carry over next bath time. So grab your supplies and let’s soap up.

3. Precautions

Select all washing products that have been specified for animal use. Do NOT wash your puppy with human soaps, that can only cause irritation and have adverse effects that have not been tested on animals, so Stay Safe.

This next step includes techniques that I, a long time dog owner, have personally incorporated into bath time. So READ CLOSELY!

4. Calming Techniques:

All dogs are created differently! As a long time dog owner, I have experienced several breeds and personalities and observed each one’s behavior during bath times. Here are ABC techniques to help alleviate your fluffy baby’s bath anxiety.

The ABC Stress Technique

1. Assemble: Make sure you have at least 2 towels on hand, a plastic bath cup, animal friendly bath products, a dog brush or comb, and one small wash cloth.

2. Bath Time: Make sure the water in either the bathtub or whatever container or place is already filled. This alleviates the stress of hearing the water running. Remember our fluffy loved ones have a strong sense of hearing. The loud noise and echoing can be very disturbing to your pup, young or old, inexperienced and experienced alike.

3. Communication: This is the most crucial technique when bathing your pet. Speaking in a calm and neutral manner signals your pet to also remain calm and neutral. So Talk to your fluffy baby in a nice soft tone, it'll make bath time much more enjoyable and create a bond that lasts a lifetime!

TIME TO WASH UP!

5. Lather:

Gently lather the cleaning agent into your dog's fur. I like to do this at least 2 times. The 2nd time I take a comb or brush and go through my furry baby's fur to maximize washing efficiently.

6. Rinse:

Thoroughly rinse your pup's fur until the water runs clear. This will make sure there is no soap lingering in the fur. Soap that is left on turns to residue and can irritate your dog.

7. Medications:

This is the time to add any medications or rinses that may help ward off fleas, ticks or any little creature that caught a ride on your furry baby's fur.

8. Dry Time:

The first step to remove the excess water is a good towel dry! USE CAUTION because this is now the time when your dog may try to shake off any water. Observe your dog's behavior to see if they will do this inside the tub prior to towel time. They also will do this after towel time with less mess of course if you let them complete it in the tub. The point is to remove the water from the fur so work with your pup!

Options for DRY TIME:

I often use a blow dryer on low heat and strength and carefully loosen up the hair in order to thoroughly dry. This option is not for all dogs or for dogs all the time! Let’s be clear: good observation and communication with your pet will decipher how they get dry.

9. Comb Hair:

Make sure all fur is combed through so matting does not occur. If you choose to trim your pooch this is a great time to do so! Go ahead and explore our Top 5 Small Dog/ Maltipoo Fur Cuts.

Final Thoughts and Tips:

Dog baths are an important part of keeping your furry friend healthy and clean. Before giving your dog a bath, it's important to brush their coat to remove any tangles or mats. This will also help to remove loose hair and make the bathing process easier. Good preparation along with creating a calm and peaceful fluffy baby spa time also discourages fear and stress on your pooches mental health.

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