How to Train Your Dog to Love Bath Time
Introduction
If you are used to that sound of little claws running across your tile to get far away from you, you just might have a dog who hates bath time. Bathing your dog too often could cause skin irritations, so if your dog hates to be bathed, you might be able to get away with not doing it every week. However, since there are most definitely times your dog is going to need a bath, you might try some techniques to train him to love bath time. Some dogs will jump in, play with the water, even swim, lap at the running water, and not want to get out when bath time is over. However, other dogs fear the running water, are terrified of being dipped in a pool of anything liquid, and will run from you as quickly as they can to get away from the bath.
Defining Tasks
Dogs who do not particularly enjoy bath time are often reacting out of fear or discomfort. A trick to get your dog to enjoy bath time is to make it comfortable for him and without the noise of running water which could scare him. Warm water will make bath time all the more comfortable, especially for smaller breeds. Not every dog can be bathed in the bathtub because of their size and the inconvenience, but maybe you can consider bathing your dog in your shower instead of outside with a hose and colder running water. Teaching your dog to love a bath will require dedication and commitment from you along with patience and excitement so he knows this is something you think is cool and fun. With your excitement, maybe he'll come around.
Getting Started
To get started teaching your dog to love bath time, you are going to need a place to bathe your dog. Ideally, this would be in your own bathtub or at a do-it-yourself dog grooming center or even in your shower. Try to set yourself up for success by having the bath already drawn with comfortable, warm water. Be sure to have your shampoos and products ready before you bring your dog in so you do not leave your dog unattended. Anytime you have your dog in a bathtub, or even your shower, consider placing a towel on the floor of the tub or shower or use a non-slip bath mat, so your dog does not slip and slide. This will help keep him more comfortable and safe. You also may want to consider having a special bathtime treat that is only available for your dog when he takes a bath.
The Good Preparation Method
The Warm Him Up Method
The Shower Together Method
Written by Stephanie Plummer
Published: 10/17/2017, edited: 01/08/2021
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Success Stories and Training Questions
Training Questions and Answers
Paris
How can I make Paris like taking a bath
878 Dog owners recommended
Hello Marisol, First, I suggest introducing water outside. Use a hole or something you can control the flow. Gently have the water running and toss treats a few feet from it. Reward pup for coming close, investigating, and generally being around the water. Don't spray her. Next, increase the water flow gradually as she improves. Reward any good responses and let her choose to come close and investigate on her own to earn food. When pup is completely comfortable with the hose running, use lukewarm cups of water from a bucket outside, gently trickle the water over her while feeding treats at the same time. Start with small amounts, and only increase the amount of water as she gets comfortable. When pup is used to the water, start the same process in the bath, getting her used to the sound of light running water while out and then in the tub using treats for both, then gradually turning up the sound of the water, and finally getting her used to water over her with a cup...I like to bring a few treats to every bath time long-term for my own dogs just so they continue to love bath time, even after they are over fears. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
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Would it help If i got in the bath with Izzy to get over her fear. Also she sort of swims in the river but doesn't like the bath
Thanks, RobynW
104 Dog owners recommended
Very cute photo! Getting in the bath may help but Izzy may not like the crowdedness either. Now that the warm weather is here, why not bathe her outside in a baby pool? Because the pool is shallow, it often feels less intimidating to a dog. Purchase a hard pool, not soft, as her claws may go through a soft-bottomed pool. Then, once she is used to the pool and enjoys it over the summer, she can transition to the bath. Also, if Izzy is not that dirty, then use pet wipes to clean her, instead. Good luck!
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testing please ignore question developer testing
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Hard for me to let her bath.
230 Dog owners recommended
Hello! If your dog is struggling with enjoying bath time, you can start giving your dogs treats while you bathe her. Or if you have help, someone else can give the treats while you give her a bath. The treats act as a nice distraction, and she will also start to enjoy it because she knows she will be getting treats.
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We had 3 Yorkie girls for 7 years before deciding to get 3 more. Trompie is the second pup we got and he is about 8 months old. He is also the first male dog our family ever had. He and our other male pup (about 3 months old) is extremely difficult during bath time. They absolutely hate bath time and we usually need my dad's help to hold them. They go completely bonkers and this causes nasty battle scars. I don't remember our older 3 girls being this difficult during bath time... even though they don't like it, they tolerate it and are thankful for it afterwards.
What can we do to let our two new boys enjoy bath time more?
878 Dog owners recommended
Hello Samantha, I recommend gradually desensitizing them to water, then to being in the tub with the water, and once they are okay with bath making treat rewards a permanent part of bath time in the future too to maintain their acceptable of the water. Outside in a secure area, like a porch or fenced in yard, run your hose on low away from your dog and sprinkle treat between your dog and the water. Do this for 30 minutes a day several days in a row until pup will come close to the water voluntarily. Gradually get the treats close and closer to the water so that pup has to choose to come close to the water and even under the water to reach them. When pup is comfortable with that, use a cup or your hands to lightly put some warm water over their back while you feed treats in your other hand at the same time. In the meantime also spend time sprinkling treats in the bathroom, getting closer and closer to the tub as they relax, the onto the edge of the tub, then in the tub with water off. When pup can handle the warm water outside then practice the cup in the tub, slowly transitioning to the faucet running more as pup relaxes due to the treats and going slow. Gradually increase the water exposure overtime as pup becomes more relaxed - don't rush this, you want to encourage pup near the water but if you suddenly spray them or force it you will break their trust in you around water and it will take even longer. Practice with each dog separately until both are confident around bathtime. Best of luck training, CaitlinCrittenden
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This is kleo, she loves to play in the tub when no water is in it, or very little after I’ve showered she’ll get In and splash the water around, she’s also is a huge water bug during summer. My issue I’m having is getting her to enjoy being in there with water, an letting me clean her. I give her about 3 baths a year unless she needs one. She doesn’t enjoy me putting water on her or shampoo. I’ve done a just about all of the methods that this site talks about she just seems to not enjoy bathing all together. Open to ideas please and thank you
878 Dog owners recommended
Hello Tabitha, Some dogs find the sensation of the bath strange no matter what you do. With that said, I would try brining a scoop of pup's dog food into the bathroom with you, and throughout pup's bath periodically give pup a piece of dog food, or similar sized easy to eat treat. The idea is to make the entire bath period a rewarding experience so that pup is earning treats throughout the bath. Making sure the water is a very neutral temperature and not hot or cold can also help - dogs tend to want it a bit more luke warm than we would want, opposed to hot. You can also experiment with using a cup versus a handheld shower spray nozzle that has a soaking setting, instead of hard pressure. A handheld spray nozzle can help the bath go faster once pup is used to it. I generally recommend giving every bath with dog food, so that all baths become more fun, instead of just using the treats only initially during the training. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
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