10 Tips to Make Bath Time Easier
UPDATED: Nov 14, 2013
For most dogs, “bath time” is a dirty word. The chances are your dog even knows how to spell it! He can probably second guess your game of charades as you creep silently around the house, stealthily retrieving a towel from the closet and grabbing his special shampoo!
A bath needn’t be an ordeal. It doesn’t take much to turn it into a nice, quality time experience for both of you. In fact, with the enormous variety of dog products available, you can turn bath time into a doggy “s-paw” experience. Here are 8 easy tips to make bath time much more pleasant – for everyone!
1. Start by making a special canine aromatherapy candle part of your bath ritual. Light it in advance and place it in the bathroom, so that its calming effect permeates the room.
2. One of the main reasons dogs resist the tub is that they don’t feel secure – slipping and sliding on the wet surface of the bath or shower floor. Put down a rubber mat or even a towel, so that your pooch can grip the surface better.
3. Be sure to give your dog a good brushing beforehand, to ensure there are no knots and tangles.
4. Keep some squeaky rubber toys handy to keep him engaged while you shampoo and condition. The process is the same as what you would do with a small child. After all, we call them furkids!
5. Dog shampoos are categorized by skin types or relevant skin conditions. Never use human “tearless” or “baby” shampoos on your pooch, as a dog’s skin has a different Ph factor that is different from humans and other pets such as cats and rabbits, too. Sergeant’s makes a great line of grooming shampoos called Fur-So-Fresh. There’s even a shampoo that can eliminate even the worst odors.
6. If you are applying a moisturizing conditioner or detangler, begin at the neck and work it down to the tail. A wide-toothed rubber brush is a great way to move the conditioner efficiently through your dog’s hair. And remember to keep rinsing until he is squeaky clean. Any remaining products could cause his skin to itch afterward.
7. Use a washcloth and wipe your pet’s face, instead of dumping water all over it. Your dog will thank you for it!
8. Probably one of your best bath time investments is a doggy bathrobe. Basically, the design is nothing more than a body-shaped towel with a belt. By placing it on your pup and tying it securely in place while he is still standing in the tub, you will automatically stop him from shaking water all over the place.
9. Because of the noise factor, hairdryers (like vacuum cleaners) probably rank high on your dog’s hate list. Most human hair dryers are far too hot and will burn your pet’s skin even on the lowest heat setting. Consider investing in a special low-noise pet dryer.
10. Give your dog lots of love after the bath. Praise, praise and praise some more.
It’s a good idea to bathe your dog once a month. Consider a weekly bath if your pal has a very active outdoor lifestyle.
If you have any other bath time tips, please share them in the comments below.
Editor’s Note: Spraying a few sprays of the SENTRY Calming Spray in the bathroom will also help eliminate some of the fear associated with bathing. Give it a try!
-Photo Credit: From flickr by Fauxen
Tags: 02044, 41912, 49801, brush, crazypaws, fursofresh, Grooming, seargeants, whiff
All good ideas! Bath time with my foster pup was a huge challenge at first! I made progress when I treated him for sniffing around the tub, bathroom, shampoo bottle, towels, and brushes; eventually he learned that each bath was an opportunity to have his favorite snack! I have never even considered a candle… I’ll have to remember that!
Great tip about the hair dryer. I would have never known!
I have 2 of my babies that are really good in the bathtub but I have one that doesn’t like the idea im going to use some of these tips I pray it helps.
Thanks for the hot tips, Sandy! Make sure to test the water before bathing, just like you would for a baby (or yourself) and start young – if your pup grows up knowing bathtime is a fun activity, they will be more likely to accept it as they grow.
For a start it is hard to bath a dog however when done regularly your dog will be used to it. Your tips are quite helpful and useful. I’ll try this and recommend to my friends. Thanks!