Dog Bathing 101 (9 Dog Bathing Tips)

Want to know how to bathe your dog properly? Here are 9 bathing tips to help make your pup’s next bath go a little bit smoother.

1) Buy Dog Shampoo and Two Other Dog Essentials (Prevents ear infections)

All natural dog-specific shampoo is important, because it has the correct pH level for your dog's skin. This will help prevent potential skin irritation and dryness. Do not use human shampoo as it will cause dryness, and can disrupt a dog skin’s acid mantle. This mean you could be leaving your dog susceptible to parasites, viruses, and other bacteria.

2) Brushing Is Essential Before Bathing

Matted dog hair holds water, which can leave your dog with irritated skin. Brush or cut out the mats yourself before the bath. If you’re not comfortable cutting it out yourself take your dog to a professional dog groomer.

Plus a good brushing before a bath will help reduce the amount of dog hair that could get stuck in the drain.

3) Be Consistent With The Bathing Spot

Consistency can help reduce your dog’s fear towards baths. So pick the same bathing spot to help your dog be calm and comfortable. Whether that is the same bathtub, a sink, or a kiddie pool out in the yard.

A calm dog will mean a cleaner dog. If you need to calm their nerves during the bath, try a lick pad. Put peanut butter on the lick pad and that should keep your dog occupied for a bit. The bonus is that you are rewarding them mid-bath for being a good dog!

4) You Don't Have 3 Hands

Know that feeling when you are in the middle of washing your dog and you wished you had a 3rd hand to grab something? Yes, we have all been there. So make sure you gather up all the supplies you need before you start the bathing process.

Ensure you have set aside a clean dog towel, possibly a cup for rinsing, and treats for after the bath to reward them for their good behaviour. Above all, you don’t want to leave your dog unattended in the bathtub.

5) Only Use Lukewarm Water

Dog skin is different from human skin. Dog skin tends to burn more easily. So as a rule of thumb, only use a water temperature that you would use for a human baby. Not too hot, not too cold. Be gentle with your fur-baby!

6) Use A Calm And Reassuring Voice

Does your dog hide every time you get them ready for a bath? Don’t get frustrated. Using a calm and reassuring voice, might help teach your dog that baths are not a punishment. 

Hopefully your calm voice will create a better bathing experience for you and your pup.

7) Shampoo From The Paws Up, Rinse From Head To Tail

Start shampooing your dog’s paws then work up towards their head. When you start rinsing, go from head to tail. This will stop the shampoo going into their eyes and ears. Make sure rinse well to get all the shampoo out so it doesn’t sit on your skin and causes irritation.

When the stream of water coming off your dog doesn’t have any more suds, that means you have successfully rinsed all the shampoo off your dog.

8) Air Dry Or Towel Dry

Air drying is the au natural way to go, but that may cause you and your home might get wet.

Towel drying is the most straight forward. Plus when you place a towel over your dog it keeps the heat in, which means it should reduce the amount of water your dog shakes all over your and your home.

If you want to really speed up the drying process, invest in a dog blow dryer.

9) Reward Your Pup With Treats And Fun

Want to make sure your pup looks forward to their next bath? Reward them with dog treats after their bath to let them know they did a paw-tastic job!

Dogs enjoy running out their bathing frustrations so have some playing tug-a-war with the dog towel and have some fun with your pup!

Now that you know how to properly clean your pup, find out how often you should you bathe your dog!