Most dogs start out hating baths, so training your dogs to like this routine can be difficult. If you just adopted or bought a puppy, use these five simple tricks so taking a bath won’t become a dreaded task for both you and your dog:
1) Start at an early age –
Your dogs can get used to bathing if you start grooming them young. Just as brushing and obedience training, the experience is the secret in preventing bad behavior. However, when it comes to grooming your dog, it may take time to work through their bad bath behavior.
2) Choose the right tub –
Avoid giving your dog a bath outdoors, especially if you are tempted to just hose her off because the water in your garden is usually too cold for your dog. Choose a tub large enough for your dog to fit comfortably. You can use the sink for your puppies or toy-sized dogs. It is recommended that you use your bathtub, as it can be easier than using stars or ramp with a groomer’s tub.
3) Keep your dog steady –
Although this can be tricky since most dogs don’t like staying in one place, you can use a special tub for her or buy a bathing noose that attaches to your ordinary tub just to keep your dog in place. However, make sure you don’t leave your dog attached to the noose alone as it may strangle her should your dog try to escape.
4) Take your time –
Never be in a hurry when giving your dog a bath. You may not know it, but a quick bath can be a rough experience for your dog and once she experiences one bath gone bad, it can be traumatic for your dog.
5) Keep your dog comfortable –
Make sure to place cotton balls in your dog’s ears to help keep water out of her inner ears. You can also apply an optic ointment to protect her eyes. This way, you make bathing as comfortable for your dog as possible.
Once you follow these simple tricks, you can be sure that you and your dog share a pleasurable experience every time you bath her.