How to Clean a 2 Month Old Puppy

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How to Clean a 2 Month Old Puppy

Easy

10 - 20 Minutes

4 Weeks

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Introduction

If your two-month-old puppy is just joining your family or just starting to wean from his mother, he is quickly discovering the joys of the world around him. Your puppy is probably very bright and curious with bounds of energy. He is still quite young, however, not up to date on all of his vaccinations and not ready to visit too much of the outside world just yet. But even within your own home and yard, he can get quite dirty. Your 2-month-old puppy is ready for a bath if he needs one. At this age, you can still wipe him down with a warm wet cloth or you can put him in a bathtub or a sink full of water and give him a nice warm head to tail bath.

Dog's Perspective

If your puppy has gotten into something to get dirty, be sure you know what it is so he remains safe. Your 2-month-old puppy, though quite curious, may not be overly excited about the sounds of running water or being submerged in a bathtub. If you haven't started training yet, feel free at this point to begin to reward your 2-month-old puppy with tasty treats after a job well done once you have finished bathing or cleaning him.

The In a Sink Method

Most Recommended

10 Votes

Slicker Brush

Shampoo

Towel

Step

No-slip sink

Your two-month-old puppy may still be small enough to use a bathroom or kitchen sink for bathing. Be sure to make the surface of the sink non-slip with a towel or non-skid mat. A kitchen sink with spray faucet works great for clean rinsing.

Step

Fill

Fill the sink with warm water. Only add enough to wet your dog. You don’t want him to be neck-deep. Use a towel or a non-slip mat, keep your sink from becoming a slip hazard for your pup.

Step

Wet down

Use the hand sprayer or a cup to wet your two-month-old puppy down.

Step

Puppy shampoo

Add a bit of puppy shampoo to your puppy and wash his body. Use a washcloth to clean his face without any shampoo.

Step

Clean water rinse

Use the handheld sprayer or a cup to give your two-month-old puppy a warm, clean water rinse. Do not leave any shampoo in the coat or on your puppy’s skin as it might cause itching and dryness.

Step

Towel

Lift your puppy out of the water and wrap him in a dry, warm towel. Begin to pat him dry. You may consider a second towel once the first towel has soaked up all the excess water from his fur. Be sure to get your puppy as dry as possible before letting him go.

Step

Treat

Always end your puppy’s baths with a special treat. These will keep him coming back for more, and as you start training him basic obedience, he’ll be earning treats on a regular basis.

The In a Tub Method

Effective

5 Votes

Shampoo

Dryer

Towel

Step

Prep the tub

Place a towel or non-slip mat on the bottom of your tub. This will keep your puppy from slipping. Add warm water. You’ll only need enough for your puppy to stand in. If he’s a cold pup, you can fill the tub high enough so the warm water touches his belly. Be sure to have tear-free puppy shampoo and a cup or soft cloth handy. Have a warm, dry towel nearby to wrap puppy in once he’s clean.

Step

Brush out

If your two-month-old puppy has long fur, consider brushing him before his bath. This will work out tangles before he gets wet.

Step

Cotton balls

If this is the first bath for your puppy, you might want to protect his ears from water entering. Place a cotton ball just inside each ear to keep water from entering the ear canal.

Step

Add puppy

Once the tub and supplies are ready to go, add your puppy to the warm bath. Use a cup or soft cloth to wet his fur. Do not to pour water directly over his face, and make sure water doesn’t enter his ear canals.

Step

Puppy shampoo

Put a small amount of puppy shampoo in your hands and scrub your pup from neck to tail. Don’t forget his paws and save his potty area for last. You may need to move your puppy around a bit and lift his legs for a full clean, but try to work fast so he can stay warm.

Step

Rinse

Using clean warm water, rinse your little guy. Make sure all the soap and suds are gone.

Step

Towel dry

Wrap your puppy in a warm, dry towel as soon as you can. He’ll dry faster if you rub the towel in small circles to soak up the water.

Step

Brush

Once he’s towel dried, brush his fur. Because you brushed him before the bath, he shouldn’t have many tangles.

Step

Keep drying

Before setting your puppy free to play or roam, try to dry him as much as possible. If he has long fur, you can use a hair dryer. Do not use high heat and be cautious of leaving the air on one area of his skin for too long. Be prepared for your two-month-old puppy to fear the noise of a hairdryer.

Caution & Considerations

If you are going to bathe your 2-month-old puppy be sure to use a puppy shampoo that is tear-free and safe for his skin and coat.
Avoid using flea and tick shampoos unless directed to do so by your veterinarian.
Your 2-month-old puppy, though quite curious about the world, may be surprised when he has water poured over him. If you bathe him, be sure the water is warm and you are extra cautious around his eyes and ears.
If you bathe your 2-month-old puppy, keep the bath fun, short, and warm. This is his introduction to all future baths so you want it to be exciting and rewarding.
Even though at two months old your puppy can regulate his body temperature, try to continue to bathe him in a warm room. You don't want him to get cold and miserable because future baths will not be fun if he starts off bathing cold.
Be sure to dry off your puppy really well before setting him free to play. Also be sure he is dry before putting him outside.
Avoid bathing your puppy too often. Too many baths too soon can cause dry, itchy skin.

Conclusion

Keep that puppy love going with your beautiful pooch. Get your little guy clean with his first big bath in a tub or a sink. Be prepared to bring everything and the kitchen sink so your paws-itively pampered pooch can stay warm and get dry quickly. End bath time with a treat and a nice nap or playtime together.

Success Stories and Grooming Questions

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Milo9 weeks

Silky Terrier

9 Weeks

0 found helpful

Question

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Milo9 weeks

Silky Terrier

9 Weeks

Is he of age to see a groomer

2 years, 2 months ago

Milo9 weeks's Owner

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Grooming Success Stories

Success

Miles

Schnauzer and pug

2 Months

Miles isn’t the biggest fan of baths already because he’s still new to it all but he’s learning to calm down and sit still. His first bath as seen in the photo was in the sink but I’ve moved him to the bath tub now. I bathe him once or twice every two weeks since he does go potty outside now. But he’s learning! Hope he gets to loving baths 🐾

5 years, 8 months ago

If you don't have puppy shampoo what else can I use

5 years ago

Patrick E.

Dawn works, just don’t use a lot because a little goes a long way.

4 years, 5 months ago

Natasha P.

Success

Roscoe

Border Collie lab mix

3 Months

I was playing with my pup Roscoe yesterday and I throw the ball and he went and got it and brought it back, and I have not taught him how to bring it back yet. I guess he is learning from the others.

4 years, 5 months ago

How old is Roscoe?

3 years, 9 months ago

Louis O.

Success

Mia

toy poodle

2 Months

she makes a noise when we help her take a bath and we need more facts because this is our first time being a puppy owner so can u please give us some detail on them and stuff we should do and not do.thank u so musch

3 years, 7 months ago

How to Clean a 2 Month Old Puppy

Introduction

Dog's Perspective

Caution & Considerations

Conclusion

Success Stories and Grooming Questions

Grooming Questions & Answers

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Grooming Success Stories

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