How to Bathe a Rescued Dog

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How to Bathe a Rescued Dog

Medium

20 - 40 Minutes

1 Month

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Introduction

So you just adopted a dog from a rescue shelter and the thing is, well... he smells a bit funky! Often rescue shelters bathe dogs as part of their intake process, as uncared for dogs are often very soiled. However, if your rescue dog has not been bathed yet, or if he was in the shelter for any length of time, smells of his former life and smells of the shelter, where other dogs are living in kennels and cages and doing their business inside, can cling to fur.

You will want to give your rescue dog a bath. This may go really smoothly--some rescue dogs love the attention and like water--or it might not. There can be some serious challenges when bathing a rescue dog; they may be really dirty, have matted fur, or have parasites. Also, rescue dogs may have previously been abused or never been bathed before, leading them to react in a frightened, aggressive, or excited way. Because you will probably not know your dog's history and experience with bathing, proceeding in a slow, careful manner and using a little trial and error to find out what works best when bathing your rescue dog will be necessary.

Dog's Perspective

A rescue dog has probably been through a lot. At the very least, the dog is experiencing a rehoming situation and a change in his residence, which will be very stressful even for a well-adjusted dog. Other rescue dogs may have experienced abuse and neglect, be suffering from malnutrition, parasites, health problems and even injury. A rescue dog may have limited or no experience with being groomed or bathed.

It's not uncommon for a stressed or abused dog to react in a frightened or aggressive manner when handled, including receiving a bath. The enclosed area may make the dog nervous, or the sounds and feel of running water can startle him. Work slowly, talk calmly to the dog, and watch the dog for signs the dog is becoming overwhelmed or about to react aggressively. You may want to have an assistant help you handle the dog, reassure him, and watch for signs of trouble. Adjust your bathing as necessary, and try to be organized and keep the bath short so as not to cause undue anxiety in a rescue dog.

The Slow and Steady Method

Most Recommended

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Shampoo

Dryer

Towel

Step

Set up

Prepare the bath area; have everything organized, shampoo, conditioner, wash cloth, towels, all in easy reach. Put a non-slip bath mat down.

Step

Introduce to bathwater

Fill the tub with a few inches of warm water. Carefully lift the dog into the tub, supporting him around his chest and abdomen. Watch to see how he reacts.

Step

Wet down gently

Carefully start using a cup or container to scoop water over the dog. If he is calm and does not mind water you can try switching to a hand held shower, if available, to wet him down. See how he reacts to the noise. Use the cup to wet him down if the dog seems nervous. Use a washcloth to wet the dog's face. Talk steadily and in a casual, friendly manner to the dog to reassure him.

Step

Carefully shampoo and conditon

Shampoo with a non-irritating shampoo like an oatmeal shampoo solution from the neck back. Use a washcloth to apply soap to the face, stay away from eyes and mouth. Again move slowly watch for signs of stress. Rinse thoroughly and apply conditioner in the same way. Rinse again.

Step

Dry gently

Remove the dog from the tub and pat dry with a towel. You can leave to air dry, or you may try a blow dryer on a low setting. Aim at the dog's feet first to see how your dog reacts to the blow dryer. If the dog is frightened of the blow dryer, allow to air dry instead.

The Special Bathing Tips Method

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Slicker Brush

Shampoo

Pin Brush

Dryer

Towel

Step

Exercise first

Walk or play with the rescue dog first to wear him out so he is less likely to get excited or nervous during bathing and to establish a positive bond.

Step

Groom and examine

Brush and comb the dog prior to bathing. Remove all tangles and knots. Trim out if necessary. Knots will be harder to remove after a bath. Check for hot spots under mats, a neglected dog may have sores where there are knots. Also check for parasites like ear mites, fleas, lice and ticks. Treat accordingly.

Step

Get help

Use an assistant to help you handle the rescue dog in the bath. The assistant can distract the dog while bathing, provide affection and treats, and help restrain the dog if necessary. Also, a second set of eyes will pick up if the dog is becoming stressed or upset during the bathing process.

Step

Protect dog

Put cotton balls in your dog’s ears if the dog will allow it, to keep water from going in ear canals, which is an unpleasant sensation for any dog.

Step

Address eyes and ears

A rescue dog’s ears and eyes may need special attention. If tear stains are present, wipe with colloidal silver solution to remove them. Ears in rescue dogs often have wax build up or fungal issues. Put ear cleaner on a piece of gauze or a cotton ball and wrap around your finger to wipe out under ear flaps, the entrance to ear canal and into the outer part of the ear canal. You may need to flush ears with ear cleaner as well.

Caution & Considerations

Look for parasites like fleas, ticks, and mites when bathing as they are common on rescue dogs.
Move slowly, gently, and reassure the dog throughout the process.
If the dog shows signs of aggression, stop what you're doing and take precautions to not be injured. For example, use a muzzle or use heavy gloves to avoid being bitten.
Make sure you use non-slip mats in the tub to avoid slipping, and restrain the dog with a collar and leash and an assistant if available.
Be patient, this dog has probably been through a lot and needs a little understanding.

Conclusion

A bath can be a stressful and new experience for a rescue dog. In addition, the dog may have parasites or health concerns that need addressing. Work slowly, take note of concerns that need attention, and talk to the dog to reassure him. If an assistant is available, have them reassure and treat the dog during the birthing process. Keep baths relatively simple, short and low stress. Use products that will not irritate eyes or skin and rinse well. Use alternative options such as using water gently poured over the dog instead of hand showers or air drying instead of blow drying, if the dog seems nervous, for a less invasive bath experience. As your rescue dog gets used to bathing and builds a relationship with you, bathing should be easier in the future.

Success Stories and Grooming Questions

Grooming Questions & Answers

Question

Basil

Maltipoo

6 Years

0 found helpful

Question

0 found helpful

Basil

Maltipoo

6 Years

We just adopted a dog from a foster home, and he was definitely stinky! We were able to bathe him with much difficulty (lots of growling and biting). He seems to trust us now, but will still curl his lip and bite us if we try to wipe his feet with a towel after a walk. He will let us hold his paws normally without a towel. How can we make this cleaning process for both bathing and cleaning his paws easier?

4 years, 5 months ago

Basil's Owner

Darlene Stott

Dog Trainer and Groomer

0 Dog owners recommended

Congratulations on the adoption of Basil! He may have very sensitive feet. It may be worth your while to wait until you have had him much longer and he is super comfortable before you use the towel. Just to get him into a good comfort zone all of the time. If he is letting you hold his paws without a towel (and it is good to do that, gently touch the paws when you are cuddling to get him used to it), try using pet wipes instead to clean the feet. That way, you feel better that his feet are clean, and he'll be more comfortable without the use of the towel. All the best and enjoy your new dog!

4 years, 5 months ago

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Question

Ringo

Shih Tzu Schnauzer

3 Years

1 found helpful

Question

1 found helpful

Ringo

Shih Tzu Schnauzer

3 Years

He was abused very badly and I want to give him a good bath, brush his hair and get a trim

3 years, 10 months ago

Ringo's Owner

Darlene Stott

Dog Trainer and Groomer

0 Dog owners recommended

Hello, the first thing I would recommend for little Ringo is to let him get used to you and his new home before trying any major grooming sessions. If he is super docile and feels pretty comfortable already, you can judge whether he may be ready for a bath. You could try using made-for-pet wipes that will gently clean any surface dirt. You can also brush him gently unless he has mats, which may cause pain. Have you taken him to the vet yet? That is an important first step as well, to ensure that he does not have fleas or parasites that you cannot see. If he is uncomfortable in that regard, he may not cooperate in a bathing situation. So, have the vet give him the all clear - and they can probably recommend a shampoo that will be gentle on the skin also. Take his first bath slow, you can start with a little water in the tub and be very careful of the temperature. Test it on your wrist, not your hand. All the best to you and Ringo!

3 years, 10 months ago

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Ringo

Shih TzuSchnauzer

3 Years

0 found helpful

Question

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Ringo

Shih TzuSchnauzer

3 Years

I want to thank the lady that answered my question earlier. Ringo doesn't like a brush. He was abused with a vacuum hose. Will a vet bath him a bath and a hair cut

3 years, 10 months ago

Ringo's Owner

Darlene Stott

Dog Trainer and Groomer

0 Dog owners recommended

You are very welcome! Ringo is lucky to have such a caring person in his life now. Enjoy him!

3 years, 10 months ago