Step-by-Step Guide to Giving Your Dog a Stress-Free Bath
Cue the lyrics…
"Splish splash, I was taking a bath
Long about a Saturday night, yeah
A rub dub, just relaxing in the tub
Thinking everything was alright."
You're welcome for getting that song stuck in your head!
Ellie loves swimming, hiking, and rolling in the sand, so bath time is a frequent occurrence in our house.
Ellie enjoys baths, but that wasn't always the case.
Baths are an experience that requires sensitization training to feel comfortable.
Even if your dog loves water and swimming, there is much more going on during a bath that can make it a very different experience. Think: confined space, water temperature, loud noises, new smells, and multiple people closely surrounding your dog.
You'll want your dog to learn to associate bath time with a positive experience.
Here's how I trained Ellie.
Start Slow.
When Ellie was a puppy, my wife and I started training Ellie before she was in need of a bath. First, we invited her into the bathtub and offered her a treat. We would continue this, letting her go in and out while being rewarded so she could associate the bath area with receiving treats. If you don't know Ellie, receiving treats is a VERY positive experience.
The next training task included turning the water on and off while treating her.
Tag Team.
My wife and I like to wash Ellie together and feel it's easier to have four hands to wash our four-legged golden. If possible, try to recruit someone else to help you.
Brush First.
Before hopping into the tub, we brush Ellie to remove loose hair and dirt. Brushing will remove dead skin cells, distribute natural oils throughout the hair and keep the dog's coat clean. After that, we will pick apart or cut out pieces of matted hair, which is easier to do before her coat is wet.
Be Prepared.
We get these four items in the bathroom before getting Ellie wet.
Towels (at least 2)
Treats
Stay Calm. Be Happy.
We try to choose a day when we have at least 30 minutes of undivided attention to wash Ellie together.
She seemed a little more relaxed during a bath if she just had a lot of exercise.
We focused on remaining calm and using an upbeat and happy voice when talking to Ellie. I'm pretty sure everyone has a voice they use when talking to their dog, so this is your time to let it shine!
Dogs can sense how you're feeling by the tone of your voice, so even if the bath isn't going as well as you'd like, follow the phrase "fake it 'til ya make it!"
Scrub-a-dub-dub.
Ellie gets a freshwater rinse first before we lather her up with shampoo and conditioner. Golden retrievers have a double coat, so it can take extra time to soak and rinse Ellie.
Note: Thoroughly rinse your dog with water as any leftover shampoo or conditioner can irritate their skin.
Peanut Butter Extravaganza.
Continue to treat your dog during bath time.
There are a lot of dog lick pads that you can use as a unique toy for bath time. As our friend likes to say, make it a peanut butter extravaganza!
You suction the pad to your tub or shower wall, spread peanut butter on the pad, and your dog is distracted by licking the tasty treat!
⚠️*Caution: Be sure you use peanut butter that does NOT contain xylitol or birch sugar as it is extremely poisonous to dogs.
Watch the Head!
We learned to wash Ellie's head last. When her head gets wet, she starts the full body shake from head to tail, which leaves water all over us and the bathroom. By keeping her head dry until the end, we can avoid her shaking and keep the experience calm. It also reduces the risk of getting water or soap in her eyes and ears.
Drying.
We hand "squeegee" water out of Ellie first. One towel is on the ground for her to step on when she gets out of the tub. Then, we wrap the other towel over her back to start drying off her body.
Keep your pet warm until dry.
Being wet for too long can lead to skin issues, so we use a combination of drying Ellie with a towel and the Flying Pig pet grooming dryer.
We also place an ear protector over Ellie's ears if we use the dryer to shield her from the irritating loud noise. Plus, she instantly turns into a sight that makes you smile. See!
Ellie gets a bath at home as needed when she seems dirty, and we take her to the groomer for a full groom and cut about every three months.
Bath time takes practice. After a few times, we hope you find your dog also sees bath time as a positive experience!
Remember:
Start slow, stay calm, and treat often!
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