It’s no secret that most dogs absolutely dread bathtime. After all, it comes with a lot of sensations that they don’t often experience – warm water, loud gushing from the faucet, the smells of the shampoo, the smooth porcelain of the tub. While your dog may never beg to be cleaned, there are ways to make this necessary experience easier and a bit more enjoyable for you both.
- First, though it is tempting to want to bathe your dog outside to mitigate the mess, many owners find it is more comfortable for your dog to be washed in the tub. You have control over the water temperature so that you can make it warm, but not too hot. The tub also offers less chance for your dog to try and get away; having to restrain them with a leash while bathing outside will only stress them out further.
- When in the bathroom, you want to minimize the stressful stimulants around your dog. Put a non-slip mat in your tub so that they aren’t nervous about losing their balance and falling. Sliding can cause muscle strain, and falls can result in bruises or worse. In fact, it’s not a bad idea to keep the mat in the tub for when you and your family shower as well to protect you. Even if you don’t have a mat, you can lay down a wet towel.
- Use a cup to control how the water pours over your dog. A cup is easier to manage than cupping water from the running faucet or using a detachable showerhead. This will ensure water doesn’t accidentally get in your dog’s ears or eyes. If the sound of running water scares your pup, fill a bucket or the bottom of the bath with water before bringing them into the room.
- Opt for a shampoo that has a mild or no scent. Though it’s nice when you can minimize wet dog smell, you should prioritize your dog’s comfort. Their noses are much stronger than ours, and scented shampoos can be quite irritating. If your dog has allergies or is itchy in general, you can also find shampoos that moisturize and help their skin feel better. Whatever kind you choose, be sure it is made specifically for dogs–soaps and shampoos created for humans can hurt dogs.
- To take their mind off of the scary bath, provide other positive things for your pup to concentrate on instead. There are plenty of rubber feeders on which you spread peanut butter and are made to suction onto the tub or shower wall. Your dog can happily spend a few minutes licking the peanut butter (especially if you put it in the freezer ahead of time) while you wash them.
It may take some time before your dog warms up to the idea of bathtime. In between washes, use plenty of positive reinforcement and encouragement to help them get over their fears. Offer high-value treats to lure them into the bathroom of their own accord. Do this for a while until they willingly come in when you ask instead of trying to hide. From there, use the treats to get them to enter the (dry) bathtub by themselves. This may take a while, but with enough temptation and encouragement, they should be able to do it. Then, keep giving them treats while you slowly turn the faucet on and off, or pour a small amount of water over them. If this is too much for them, mime the process of washing them without water–run your hands over their body as if you’re scrubbing them, use an empty cup to pretend you’re pouring water, etc. This helps break the process down so there is less new stimulation to surprise them.
Gulf Coast K9 Dog Training provides professional dog training and obedience classes for dogs and their owners in te Sarasota and Bradenton area.
