How to Wash a Puppy's Head

Charly is a wonderful, even-tempered Highland Terrier who spends more time sticking her nose into everything she comes across than you might imagine. There was that time she got into the trash and had food smeared all over her head and face. Oh, and that time she decided the compost pile looked tasty. She sure didn't look cute after she got done rooting around. 

When your dog gets into a mess, if you are really lucky, the only thing you need to do is wash her head. Whether in a full bath or on its own, though, washing your dog's head takes a little more knowledge and skill than you might think. 

Charly loves getting into things, she doesn't care how smelly they are or how dirty they make her head. Charly might not mind having a dirty face, but she certainly does mind having her head washed. However, with a little hard work and patience on your side, you can teach your pup to at least tolerate having her face and head washed. 

• Always use soaps or shampoos designed for dogs.
  
• Never use products made for humans, they can be toxic to dogs.
  
• Never use a hair dryer on your dog's head as it can burn the skin.
  
• Never let the soap or shampoo get in your dog's eyes, it can cause irritation or injury.
  
• If your dog suffers from chronic tear staining, a trip to the vet might be a good idea as there could be an underlying cause.
  
• If yours is the type of pup with lots of skin folds (wrinkles) on her face, be sure to wash the inside of each fold very carefully. 
  

It's pretty hard not to laugh when Charly comes in with a dirty head from sticking it where no head should go. The problem with a dirty face is not only that it looks nasty, but it can lead to any number of medical issues. A few minutes spent washing her face can help keep her looking her best. Take your time, be gentle, and use plenty of treats along the way.