How to Clean a 6 Week Old Puppy

If your 6-week old puppy is dirty or stinky after living six weeks with his litter mates, it might be time to give him a bath. At six weeks old, he is regulating his body temperature quite well and can handle being submerged in a warm bath. If your puppy only needs some spot cleaning, consider just wiping him down with a warm washcloth or dog wipes. But if he needs a full bath, it is safe at this point to give him a warm bath using oatmeal shampoo or tear-free puppy shampoo. If the weather is cool and your home's heat is on, be sure you are drying him well before you set him free to run around or to be with his litter mates again. 

If your 6-week old puppy is taking his first bath, he might be nervous. You can warm up the bathroom by running hot water and keeping the door closed before bringing him in. Be sure to fill up the tub or the sink with warm water before introducing your puppy to the bath--the sound of running water may scare your little guy. So, be prepared with your bath before you bring the puppy into the bathroom. Keep the door closed and wrap him up tight while you dry him once he's nice and clean. At six weeks old, you can also give him a treat to reward him for good behavior.

• You should know cleaning your puppy with shampoo and warm water too often could try out his skin.
• At 6 weeks old, your puppy is doing a good job of regulating his body's temperature but you will still want to make sure he is nice and dry before setting him free to play.
• Do not use a flea and tick shampoo on your 6-week-old puppy just yet.
• Many puppy shampoos are tear-free, making washing his face for the first time much easier on you both.
• Oatmeal shampoos are safe and healthy for your 6-week old puppy's skin. You can buy these in stores or you can even make your own oatmeal shampoo at home.
• Your 6-week old puppy is becoming a rough-and-tumble pup and will be getting dirtier more often.
• Before deciding to give your 6-week old puppy an entire bath, consider whether or not a spot clean, dry bath, or a warm washcloth wipe down is more appropriate.
• There may be spots, such as your puppy's potty area, which may need to be cleaned more often than the rest of your puppy.
• If you are going to bathe your puppy in a sink or a bathtub with water, be sure to place a towel or non-slip surface at the bottom so your pup does not slip and slide.