How Get Your Dog to Take a Bath

Dog owners are often puzzled when they see their pet, which is normally happily splashing in mud puddles and jumping into lakes after a stick or floating toy, have a nervous breakdown when confronted with a bathtub full of warm, soapy water. Your dog may never be happy or compliant about bath time, but there are things you can do to get your pet to at least tolerate bath day without turning it into a rodeo.

Things You'll Need

  • Rubber mat
  • Warm water
  • Low-suds soap
  • Towels
  • Treats
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Give your puppy one or two baths -- needed or not -- in the first six months of its life. The younger your dog is when you establish a bathing routine, the better. Waiting until your dog is 1 year old or older is too late. Puppies that are bathed are much easier to wash as adults, because they've had a chance to get used to the experience.

    • 2

      Prepare the bathing area. Set up the bathtub and have everything you need ready before you bring your dog into the bathroom or kitchen sink. Place a rubber mat in the bottom of the bathtub or sink to keep your dog from slipping on the wet surface. Slipping can cause some dogs to panic. Have the soap and towels ready to grab when you need them.

    • 3

      Use warm -- not hot -- water to wash your dog. You wouldn't like a freezing cold shower from a garden hose outside, and neither does your dog. Start low by wetting the feet and tail before moving up to the sides, back and chest. Speak soothingly to your dog, and use a lot of verbal praise as you thoroughly wet your pet.

    • 4

      Wash your dog with castille soap, such as Dr. Bronner's brand. It does not produce an abundance of suds and is easy to rinse off your dog. Lavender-scented castille soap is a natural flea repellent. Even if you use low-suds soap, rinse your dog thoroughly, again starting at the feet and working your way up and back down your pet's body.

    • 5

      Towel dry your dog as much as you can. Your dog will shake -- this is natural, so be prepared to dry the walls and floor of the bathing area. After this experience, your pet deserves a treat, so don't forget to break out the bone or cookies after the shaking and rolling on the carpet has stopped.