Things You'll Need
- Dog shampoo
- Dog conditioner
- Ophthalmic ointment (optional)
- Cotton balls (optional)
- Treats
- Towel
Instructions
Shop for bath supplies. You need dog shampoo and conditioner. You can't use people shampoo on a dog because they are not pH balanced for dogs; human skin is much more acidic. Veterinarian Marty Smith also recommends an ophthalmic ointment to protect the eyes and cotton balls to protect the ears.
Train your puppy to enjoy bathing. Start by bringing the puppy into the room where it will be bathed. If the puppy is going to grow into a larger dog, use the bathroom tub rather than the kitchen sink or laundry tub. Put your puppy in the tub and give it a treat. Do this over a period of two to five days. Over the next two to five days, turn on the water to get it used to the sound and reward it with a treat.
Run a bath for your puppy. Test the temperature to make sure it is not too hot or too cold. Don't put too much water in the tub; you don't want your puppy to swim, just bathe. While the bath is running, gather the supplies you need: dog shampoo and conditioner, treats, towel and optional cotton balls and ointment. Put a rubber mat on the bottom of the tub so the puppy won't slide around.
Put the cotton balls in your puppy's ears and the ointment over the eyes to protect them from the water and soap. Alternatively, avoid getting water in the eyes and ears.
Pick up your puppy and put it in the bath. Reward it with a treat for not struggling. Speak to your puppy in a calm voice. Wet the puppy with a hand held sprayer or use a small bucket. Shampoo the puppy starting at the head and lathering the whole body down to the tail. Rinse the puppy, apply conditioner, rinse again and dry the puppy.