How to Bathe a Nervous Puppy

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How to Bathe a Nervous Puppy

Easy

5 - 10 Minutes

1 Week

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Introduction

Being nervous is not necessarily about being fearful or anxious, it is a natural reaction to a new situation. For your puppy, bathing is going to be new. Previous bathing involved mom licking him, and mom was great--her tongue was warm, and being bathed by mom was not something to be nervous about at all.

Fast forward to his new home. There are so many adjustments: new people, new things, new places. It is natural for a puppy to act a bit nervous, and when it comes to bath time with water and an unfamiliar tub, a little nervousness is to be expected. You can help your puppy overcome being nervous about his first bath (or maybe it's his second or third, depending on how messy your little housemate is) by working slowly and gently, reassuring your nervous pup and making bath time as simple as possible. It may help to use a cloth that feels like mom's tongue instead of a handheld shower that feels like, well, nothing he has ever experienced before, unless your nervous puppy has been stuck outside in a monsoon!

Dog's Perspective

From your puppy's perspective, everything is new, and can be a little intimidating. Introducing bath time slowly will help alleviate nervousness. Be sure to use gentle shampoo that will not sting his eyes, and take precautions not to get water or soap in ears that will feel uncomfortable to your nervous puppy. Because puppies chill easily, it is best to wait until your puppy is about 8 weeks old, usually weaning time, to bathe him. Puppies can be bathed earlier if necessary, but if possible, this is a job best left to mom. Remember that 8 weeks is also the time your puppy is taken away from mom and introduced to a new home so there are a lot of new things to trigger nervous behavior. Try not to overwhelm your puppy with too many changes at once.

The Make it Fun Method

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Step

Play in the tub

Place a waterproof squeaky toy in a sink or wash bin without water, if your puppy is small enough, or in a dry tub if he is a larger puppy. Pick up your dog and place him gently in the sink or tub. Make sure there is good footing, with a rubber mat in the tub, so your puppy feels secure and does not slip. Play with his toy or let him chew on a chew toy in the tub to get him used to the area.

Step

Join puppy in tub

If your puppy is going to be using the regular tub, get prepared to be wet and get in the tub with your puppy, initiate play with a toy. Slowly add warm water to the bath.

Step

Play with water

If using a basin or sink, fill with a few inches of warm water and gently place your nervous puppy in the bath. Provide him treats and praise. Encourage him to play with water, splash your puppy gently if he enjoys this.

Step

Bring a friend

If you have access to more than one puppy from the same litter, bathe the puppies together. They can play with the water and toys and provide emotional support to each other.

Step

Be careful

Gently wet, soap, and rinse your puppy. Introduce new sensations slowly so as not to startle your puppy and provide affection and treats. Keep soap and water out of your puppy's eyes and ears. You can put cotton balls in your puppy's ears to help keep water out of the ear canal. Be careful using a blow dryer use on a low setting and make sure it is not too hot. If you have a warm spot with no drafts, air drying may be an option, but remember puppies get chilled easily, so do not leave a wet puppy to dry somewhere cool.

The Take it Slow Method

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Step

Lower energy

Take your puppy for a long walk so he is quiet and not full of excess energy. Feed your puppy near or in the tub, sink or wash basin you will be using for bath time.

Step

Let puppy investigate

Fill the bath with a few inches of warm water, while your puppy stands outside the tub. Splash water and let him investigate and play if he is interested.

Step

Introduce bath slowly

Place your puppy in the bath. Take it slow--introduce bathing at his pace as he becomes comfortable with the bath and water.

Step

Use a cloth

Use a face cloth to gently wipe your puppy all over. Use the cloth to massage him like his mom's tongue. Gently apply puppy shampoo and rub from the neck back, avoiding his face and eyes. Use water only on the face, no shampoo if possible, or apply shampoo very carefully avoiding mouth and eyes.

Step

Rinse and dry gently

Rinse your puppy by wiping with a wet cloth or gently pouring water over him from a container. Dry him by patting him with a towel. Provide a warm place for your puppy to air dry so he does not chill, or if your puppy is comfortable, use a blow dryer on the lowest setting.

Caution & Considerations

If possible, use a basin or sink that makes it easier to reach your puppy and bathe him, and allows you to stay close to him and provide familiarity and comfort.
Make sure that water temperature is not too hot or too cold, and that your puppy doesn't get water or soap in eyes or ears that will create a negative experience.
Do not react to nervousness by becoming agitated yourself. Be comfortable and gentle but firm to alleviate your dog's nervousness.
Be sure to use rubber mats to provide traction so your puppy feels secure and doesn't slip.
Use gentle puppy shampoo that will not dry skin or sting eyes rather than human shampoo or regular dog shampoo.

Conclusion

So much is new for a puppy, including baths. No wonder he is a bit nervous about the process! Water is probably a new experience for him, along with everything else. Slowly introduce new experiences, including baths, to your puppy and make it fun. Remember, puppies love to play above all else!

A tired puppy may be less nervous, so exercise can help. So can a litter mate who can act as moral support! Be considerate of your puppy's cautious behavior and let him move at his own pace while you introduce bathing. Toys and treats can also help distract and comfort a nervous puppy. Remember puppies chill easily so don't let your puppy get cold during the bath. Keep it as short as possible, use warm water, and dry your puppy off somewhere warm.

How to Bathe a Nervous Puppy

Introduction

Dog's Perspective

The Make it Fun Method

The Take it Slow Method

Caution & Considerations

Conclusion

Success Stories and Grooming Questions

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