How to Clean an Aggressive Puppy

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How to Clean an Aggressive Puppy

Medium

30 - 60 Minutes

1 Month

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Introduction

Whether or not they fully appreciate it, puppies do occasionally need cleaning and grooming just like any other dog, especially if puppy antics get them into messes here and there. Of course, not every puppy is ready to be groomed. Your puppy may be scared or nervous about being given a bath or a brushing and this can lead to some aggressive tendencies like biting or growling. Cleaning these types of puppies isn’t easy, but with some work, patience, and a little bit of management, you can make bath time much easier without risking injury to either yourself or your puppy.

Dog's Perspective

Bath time and everything involved can be scary for your puppy, especially if it’s an event he’s never experienced before. Bathrooms can make things echo and water can be intimidating. A growl or a bite can be your puppy’s way of telling you that he’s too stressed out and wants everything to stop.

The Adjustment Method

Effective

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Shampoo

Towel

Step

Work on sensitivity

Offer your puppy treats as you work on handling things like his limbs, paws, ears, and tail. Sometimes puppies bite because they don’t like being touched in certain places. Offering positive reinforcement as you get your puppy used to your hands being on his different parts that sometimes need cleaning will help him develop better associations with being cleaned.

Step

Start with a short bath

Keep your puppy’s bath as short as possible while keeping your movements gentle and encouraging. Talk and communicate with him throughout, while avoiding getting any water or shampoo into his eyes and ears. You may need to work him up to progressively longer baths, but if his first bath is just a quick rinse, then that’s okay.

Step

Offer positive reinforcement

Don’t hesitate to offer treats or toys in the bath to distract from the stressful environment. A spoon of dog-safe peanut butter or another yummy, gooey treat may help your dog to relax and let him know that a bath is nothing to be afraid of. Having the spoon at his mouth instead of your hands can also help to avoid being snapped at or bitten.

Step

Towel dry

Avoid using any loud devices such as a hair dryer, which can compound stress and make it worse. Use a towel instead to pat your puppy down until he’s dry without overwhelming him with aggressive rubbing. Using a smaller towel that doesn’t cover his whole body or restrict his vision may also help keep him calm.

Step

End on a good note

Once the bath is done, have some quick play time with your puppy or offer him an exceptionally good treat that you save for the very end. This can help him develop a good excitement for bath time and what comes afterwards rather than being fearful and aggressive.

The Prevention Method

Effective

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Shampoo

Dryer

Towel

Step

Use a muzzle

Many stores and grooming salons sell cloth muzzles that are good for temporary use during grooming. These muzzles don’t allow for eating or drinking most of the time, so they should only be used when necessary and only for short-term grooming sessions. These muzzles can prevent any dangerous biting or nipping however.

Step

Have a leash on hand

Have your puppy on a leash that you have control of, in order to lead him away from stressful stimuli or control him on the chance that he lunges or snaps at you or someone else. Keep the leash relaxed otherwise, as tension may not help the situation. Use it as a fail safe.

Step

Clean the essentials

Whether you decide to give your puppy a full bath or just wipe down certain areas that need it, only clean what needs to be cleaned. If your puppy has muddy paws and is clean otherwise, limit your cleaning to only the parts that need it in order to limit the amount of stress that he undergoes in order to get clean.

Step

Dry as needed

Use a dryer or a towel in order to get your puppy dry as quickly as possible. When you’re preventing the violent behavior rather than addressing it, it’s important to just get the process over with as soon as you can to prevent prolonged stress.

Step

Remove the muzzle when complete

Once your puppy is clean, remove him from the bathroom or other grooming area and place him in a space where he is generally well behaved, then remove the muzzle when it is safe to do so. Never leave the muzzle on for longer than just a few minutes, as this can inhibit breathing, eating, and drinking.

Caution & Considerations

Puppies are mostly in the learning stages and training your puppy out of his fear of bath time or grooming can happen with time. Try to be patient throughout this process, as rushing him may only yield negative results.
Keep baths and grooming routines as infrequent as possible and only clean your puppy when he needs it. Too many baths can get rid of the oils in his skin and fur and do more damage than good.
If you are considering using medication or some sort of sedation to get your puppy through his grooming procedures, always consult a veterinarian first to determine what is safe to give to your puppy. Never medicate your dog without first consulting a professional.
Professional groomers may know how to calm down aggressive or violent puppies in a much safer fashion than you can at home. Ask your groomer if there are methods to ensure a safe environment for both the groomer and the puppy during his cleaning.
If possible, try to take small breaks throughout the cleaning to allow your puppy to calm down and de-stress. This can help make the cleaning more manageable.

Conclusion

Your puppy will get dirty, as all dogs do. But if he’s more likely to nip or bite rather than let you calmly bathe him, there are still ways to get him through the process without too much stress. Maintain a routine if possible and remember that your puppy is still growing, learning, and experiencing many things for the first time. A little bit of patience and resolve will go a long way in ensuring that he does not develop a lifelong fear of being groomed.

How to Clean an Aggressive Puppy

Introduction

Dog's Perspective

The Adjustment Method

The Prevention Method

Caution & Considerations

Conclusion

Success Stories and Grooming Questions

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