How to Bathe a Hyper Dog

Some dogs have a lot of energy. A dog with an excess of energy can act hyper during bath times, which are, after all, pretty exciting, especially if your dog likes water or is just excited by the attention he is getting. Some breeds are more high energy than others. Working breeds or sporting breeds are often in possession of an inordinate amount of energy--think Beagles or Collies, Australian Shepherds or Jack Russells! 

Staying still for bathing can be trying for these dogs, especially if they are a young. However, hyper behavior during bathing can be annoying for the person trying to bathe the dog, frustrating for your dog, who just wants to burn off some energy, and dangerous for both of you if your hyper dog jumps out of the tub, struggles, or slips during bathing, or while being transported in and out of the tub. You can mitigate hyper behavior with preparation, exercise, and making a game of bathing, if you have the ability to bath your hyper dog outside. Hopefully, as your dog matures, and gets more used to baths he will be less hyper in the future. We can only hope!

Imagine you just can't stay still. You want to run, jump, chase anything that moves. You are so excited you can barely stand it. You certainly can’t stay still for a bath, or anything else for that matter. This is the experience of a hyper dog, he is just so excited he just can’t hide it!  Whether your dog has energy to burn or becomes hyper because bathing is just so much fun, and so is the attention he is getting, you may have a problem. If your hyper dog moves around too much during bathing, you may not be able to get the job done, or he could endanger himself or others struggling in the tub or getting in and out. Giving your dog an outlet for energy with exercise, distraction, or play before bathing can provide a release for your hyper dog's energy.

• Be careful getting you hyper dog in and out of the tub so that he does not jump out of your arms and hurt himself or you.
  
• Use rubber mats and restraints to prevent slips and falls in the tub
  
• An assistant may be able to help control a hyper dog that jumps about during bathing and while getting in and out of the tub.
  
• Avoid getting water or soap in your dog's eyes, which may contribute to his excitement.
  
• Be calm and do not get excited or lose your temper with your high-energy dog, as this will escalate your dog's mood and hyper behaviors.
  

Hyper, high energy dogs can be a challenge to manage during bath time.  You will need to take precautions to ensure that your dog does not jump around and injure himself during bathing by having everything nearby, closing doors, and using assistants, bath mats and restraints when necessary. You can also exercise or play with your hyper dog to wear him out prior to bath time, or incorporate play with outdoor bathing. Air drying a hyper dog is a viable alternative to blow drying to minimize the time your dog needs to control his energy.  By decreasing energy as much as possible, keeping bath time simple, and taking appropriate steps to keep everyone safe, you can manage your dog's hyper behavior and get through bath time much easier.