Giving a dog a bath isn’t well known as the easiest of tasks (!) - but the earlier you get your puppy into a regular bathing routine, the calmer and happier they’ll be each time it’s time to get cleaned up. A well-groomed pup doesn’t only look and smell lovely, but being clean will have a positive effect on their wellbeing and behaviour. Here are some tips for bathing your new puppy, so you can get them used to being rinsed right from the start…
Is your puppy the right age for their first bath?
Firstly, you don’t want to get your puppy in the bath before the time is right. Newborn puppies are too young to be bathed, as they aren’t yet able to regulate their body temperature and it could be stressful for them. If you have a super young puppy, cleaning them off with a warm, damp cloth should suffice.
The perfect time to give your puppy a bath is from 8 weeks old. You should use puppy-safe supplies, like a mild shampoo for puppies and a gentle brush, and chat to your vet first if you’re not sure how to go about it.
How to wash a puppy for the first time at home
When you know it’s time for puppy’s first bath, preparation is the golden rule! Here are some step-by-step tips to bathe your puppy for the first time…
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Gather bathing supplies. So that you’re not grasping for the right bottle or brush and leaving your pup unattended, have everything you need ready and within reach. Some calming puppy treats could also come in handy!
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Set up your area. Your pooch should be bathed either in your bath, shower, or a special bathtub in an area that’s okay to get wet (in a garage or wet room, for instance). Put down lots of towels for the floor and on the side, ready to dry your pup.
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Prepare your puppy for the bath. Before you get your puppy wet, groom them with a gentle brush to get out any knots. You may need to trim any matted areas of fur if your pup’s particularly tangled.
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Test the water temperature. Your puppy should be washed with comfortably warm water - not hot. Lukewarm is ok. Test the temperature with your hand before bringing the stream anywhere near your pooch.
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Begin the bathing process. Start by getting your dog wet, starting with the body, then the head and face. Shield their eyes if necessary. Give them lots of praise and stay calm and upbeat, so they know this is supposed to be a nice experience.
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Apply puppy shampoo. Shampoo your puppy with a mild, puppy-specific shampoo, again starting with the body, working their fur up into a lather and rinsing it thoroughly. Do the same with the head and face, paying special attention to the neck, under the chin, and around the ears and snout.
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Rinse thoroughly with warm water. When your pooch has been thoroughly shampooed and rinsed, rinse them thoroughly again all over their body. Get all the suds out to ensure a smooth, shiny coat and lovely smell!
- Dry your puppy thoroughly. Using a large towel, gently rub most of the moisture from your puppy’s fur before removing them from the bathtub. Once they’re in a safe space like a bedroom, you can use a hairdryer on a cool setting to brush and dry their fur properly.
Tips for a regular bathtime routine
Your puppy will be having a lot of baths in their lifetime. Getting them into an enjoyable, relaxing routine is integral - so they don’t start howling to the hills each time they see the bathtub.
How often should I bathe my puppy?
How regularly you give your puppy a bath depends on a few factors - including their breed, coat type and lifestyle. If your pup’s often out getting muddy in the countryside or rolling around in wet sand at the beach, they’ll need to be bathed more often. Generally, a short-haired pup may only need a bath every 6-8 weeks, a double-coated pup can go as long as 12 weeks, but a long-haired pooch may need bathing monthly or more. Remember to lightly groom and clean your dog between baths, and don’t bathe your pooch too often. Their coats are conditioned with natural oils that can be stripped out with too much washing.
Reinforcing good behaviour
Throughout bathtime, keep a positive and upbeat attitude. Give your pooch a constant stream of healthy puppy treats for behaving themselves, and channel a spa-like atmosphere, so they feel pampered and the centre of attention (which they are!). If you do this enough times, they’ll come to associate bathtime with feeling soothed and safe, and the easier it’ll be to bathe them.
Why not go the extra mile? You could put on a special air diffuser with a lovely scent, sprinkle rose petals in the water, or use a puppy-safe conditioning treatment for ultra soft fur. You can also scrub their nails and paws, take the time to massage their face or body while rinsing, or even use this time to clean your dog’s teeth. Now’s the time to really pamper this pooch! Psst… here are some tips for giving your dog a Crufts-ready glow-up.
Things to avoid while bathing a puppy
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Don’t use really hot or cold water. Lukewarm to warm is the golden temperature when bathing a pooch. Puppies (and dogs in general) are sensitive to temperatures; using water that is too hot or too cold will be stressful and they won’t relax throughout the bath.
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Don’t rush or show panic. As explained, remaining calm and upbeat is the best way to have your puppy behave the same way. If you seem stressed or overwhelmed by bathing your dog, they’ll pick up on your feelings and be harder to manage.
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Don’t leave your puppy unattended. Your pup may be in danger if left alone in the bath. At the very least, they could make a whole lot of mess without supervision.
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Avoid overly long baths. Baths should be a quick, productive use of time - your puppy doesn’t need to soak or stay in the bath for an evening, like we humans like to. Once your pooch is shampooed and thoroughly rinsed, get them out and dried off.
FAQs
How do I clean my puppy without bathing?
It’s just as important to keep your puppy groomed and clean between baths as it is to fully bathe them. The dirt and debris of each day will quickly accumulate on your dog’s fur and face. Be sure to use a damp cloth to remove gunk from their eyes, ears and nose, and a gentle brush to keep on top of knots and matting in their fur. This is especially important if they have a long or unruly coat.
What shampoo is safe for puppies?
Puppy-safe shampoo will be labelled especially for puppies, as it’ll have a mild formula that won’t cause irritation to a pup’s delicate skin. Some might even have a no-tears function, so if it gets in your puppy’s eyes it won’t sting. Do some research for specific puppy shampoos that work well with their specific breed and coat type.
Should I bathe my puppy in cold water?
Extreme temperatures of water, whether hot or cold, should be avoided when bathing a puppy, or any aged dog. They have sensitive skin that can be easily stressed, so just warm water is always the best option when soaking, lathering and rinsing.
What if my puppy’s afraid of water?
If you have continuous problems getting your puppy to relax around water, you may need to introduce gentle exposure therapy, so they don’t associate water only with bathtime. Get them used to seeing and interacting with water in non-threatening environments, like with a paddling pool in the garden, splashing them with a watering can, or getting their feet wet in puddles or at the beach.
Eventually, try giving them a bath with a very shallow amount of water in it, or just using a very gentle stream on the shower. Use lots of tasty puppy treats to reward them whenever they stay calm around water. If you still have issues, it could be worth chatting with your vet or a dog behavioural therapist.
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