Take a few days to let him get used to the area. He should be completely comfortable in the bathing area before his first bath. If the puppy is very small, choose the kitchen sink as a bathing location. It will be more comfortable for both of you.
Your bathroom may also get wet, so be prepared for that as well.
Test the water the way you would a baby bath, using your wrist or elbow. If it feels warm enough for your own bath, it’s too hot for a puppy! The water level should reach about half the dog’s height to prevent any chance of drowning.
Waiting until any children are out of the house might be a good idea. Giggling and screeching may stress the puppy out. At the very least, don’t let anyone tease him during bath time, or he’ll learn that bathing is something to be feared.
“Come” is a potentially life saving command, and you can ruin the puppy’s response to the command with one bad association. Without chasing him down, pick up the puppy and take him calmly to the bathing area. Talk happily and calmly to him the whole time. This isn’t a race, so don’t put pressure on yourself or the puppy.
If you have a hand-held shower or low-pressure faucet head, you can use that. Don’t use it if it scares the puppy, though. Talk soothingly, and give praise and treats.
Don’t neglect the puppy’s tail, which also needs shampooing.
Praise and cuddle him to show him that being restrained isn’t a terrible thing. [12] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source
Drain and replace soapy water if necessary. Bear in mind your puppy might get cold and start shivering, which you don’t want. It’s important that all soap be removed from the coat because residue can cause itchiness. Take your time and be thorough.
Using your cup, gently pour warm water over the puppy’s head from behind the skull and avoiding the face. Tip his nose up so the water runs down and over the body, away from his nose and eyes. If this is too much for your puppy, use a very wet washcloth (no soap) to clean the face. Another method for getting the face wet is to cover the ear holes with his ear flaps. Gently guide his nose down to the floor and pour water to flow over the back of the head. Your hand will cover the eyes while holding the earflaps down. Be careful about protecting the ears with cotton balls. Remember to remove them after the bath, and don’t use them at all if they distract the puppy and make him shake his head a lot.
Make a big fuss over what a good boy he is, and give lots of praise. Towel dry his body as best you can. Be very gentle with his head and face. Set aside an ugly old towel that you’ll only use on the dog.
This unusual sound and feeling might frighten the puppy. Introduce him to it slowly well before his first bath, like you did with the tub and water. [13] X Expert Source Lancy WooCertified Pet Groomer Expert Interview. 26 February 2020. Use play, praise, and treats to make it fun. Avoid directing air toward his eyes, as they’ll dry out.
If your puppy hasn’t finished his vaccination series, you’ll need to take special precautions before taking him to a groomer. The puppy should be the only customer first thing in the morning to protect other dogs. The groomers will have to disinfect the tub, cage, and grooming table after he’s gone.
