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Puppies are one of the cutest creatures on the planet and it seems that most people would want one, should they have the chance. Who wouldn’t?
However, nobody can prepare you for some of the states they get themselves in.
Whether they’re covered in mud or they’re soaked to their bones with dirty water, you’re going to have to bath them sooner or later.
Some pups like it and some don’t, so that’s something you’ll have to face at some point. How often you have to bathe them is a different question entirely.
We’ve compiled this guide on how often to bathe your puppy and the best ways to do it.
What Will I Need?
First of all, it’s important that you have the right tools and resources at your disposal to help you tackle the task of bathing your puppy.
If your pooch loves bathtime then your job is already made easier, however, every puppy loves their treats.
If your dog seems to get a bit anxious or excited at the thought of having a bath then a few treats, snacks, and some encouragement will have them feeling a bit calmer.
Make sure that you have some doggy shampoo and conditioner to help keep your pup’s coat looking healthy and shiny.
We recommend that you don’t use shampoo and conditioner meant for humans because some of the ingredients may be too harsh for your dog’s skin and can cause irritation and damage to them.
The same goes for any other chemical-based product you may use. If in doubt, research first to check and make sure that you play it on the safe side, otherwise you may be taking your pup to the vet in the near future.
It helps to have a hairdryer and towels of some sort to make sure your canine is nice and dry once you’ve finished the cleaning process. You’ll want to include a brush or a comb as well to make sure that your dog’s fur is nice and tidy for their next adventure.
For some dogs it can be useful to have something to wrap around their ears if you’re going to use something loud, like a hairdryer, to dry them.
This way you keep them calm and protect their hearing at the same time.
If you feel like it, you can use oils on top of everything we’ve previously mentioned. This way you can add an extra mix of scents to your dog’s fur that can leave them smelling fresh for days.
Soap can also be a useful tool for keeping your pooch fresh with lovely scents and aromas. We know how bad the ‘wet dog’ smell can be!
How Often Should I Bathe My Dog?
A lot of the frequency around bathing your dog falls down to two separate things.
The first is how long your dog’s fur coat is. If it’s long or fluffy then you’re more than likely going to have to bathe your dog fairly frequently.
With a thick coat comes a higher chance of debris and dirt getting caught in their fur, so it helps to at least comb them more frequently, depending on the consistency and the length of their hair.
The second feature to question is how active your dog is.
For example, your standard husky or golden retriever will be a lot more active than a breed like the Welsh Prembokeshire Corgi or the dachshund because of their size.
So with your discretion, decide on whether your pooch needs a bath or not, depending on how often they play and exercise. Of course, with more exercise and playing, comes more dirt.
Typically, when a dog has a shorter smooth coat the bathing process is usually more for the owner’s benefit than the dog. This is to keep your dog smelling fresh and your home smelling fresh.
Depending on the aftermath of their exercise and playtime, you should bathe them once or twice every two or three months, at least. However, for a breed such as a husky, you should aim to bathe them at least once a week if necessary.
This way you can prevent the build-up of external materials like dirt and leaves from getting caught in your pup’s fur.
With puppies, you shouldn’t bathe your dog too often otherwise you may damage their fur coat and reduce the essential oils that prevent their skin and fur from getting damaged.
Much like shampooing your own hair, it can be harmful to wash thoroughly too often because it breaks down the natural protection that our body has built-up to battle external elements.
How To Bathe Your Puppy
First of all, it’s best to start by placing your dog in the tub. If they’re a bit excited on anxious then this can be fixed by treats and positive behavior. This can be anything from hugs to encouraging words.
Start by rinsing your pup with warm water, but make sure it’s not too hot. This way you reduce the risk of irritating their skin or causing any pain to your four-legged friend.
Start by using small, but frequent amounts of shampoo to clean any sort of dirt out of your pup’s fur. This way you can start to get rid of the bulk of debris and residue left from their escapades.
Follow this up with the conditioner by washing it through their coat, as you did with the shampoo. Rinse and repeat until you’re satisfied with the quality and the softness of their fur.
Once your pup is clean, use a towel or a hairdryer to dry them off.
Remember that when drying near their eyes and ears with a hairdryer, use a towel or something similar to shield these features from the device.
This prevents causing damage to their senses and keeps them calm if they get especially jumpy around machines like vacuum cleaners and hair dryers.
Once your dog is fully-dry, use a brush or a comb to get rid of any remaining debris from their fur.
This way you can double-check any areas you might have missed and you can go through more sensitive areas that may need some light cleaning.
Body parts like the paws and the nose may not benefit from the same technique as the rest of their body.
After all of this, be sure to give your pup some rewards and make sure they know they’ve done a good job. This will make them more likely to co-operate in the future, which will make your life easier.
If you’re feeling especially proactive then you can always try and push your luck with some teeth brushing.
Final Thoughts
Although it may seem like a huge task at first, bathing your dog can strengthen the bond between you and your four-legged companion.
Make it fun, have a good time, and both of you will benefit afterward. Make sure that you’re patient with your puppy as they won’t be used to being bathed.
The nicer and more encouraging you are towards your furry buddy will keep them calm and keep you relatively stress-free.
When washing, be sure to research the right products and make sure that you’re using the right temperature for the water.
The more comfortable your dog is, the happier you’ll both be.