How to Rig a Bath to Wash a Dog

Bathing your dog at home doesn't have to be a struggle. Washing your pooch in your own tub is cheaper than taking him to the groomer's, and some dogs become anxious or aggressive when handled by people other than the owner. Instead of lugging him to the groomer's after the occasional muddy romp, you might find it more convenient to bathe him at home. Your bathroom will need to be rigged properly to make it suitable and safe.

Things You'll Need

  • Rubber mats
  • Long hose attachment for shower head
  • Cup
  • Bucket
  • Leash
  • Shampoos
  • Towels
  • Brush
  • Old clothes
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place a rubber mat on the bottom of the tub to prevent slipping. Tub floors can become quite slippery and can cause your dog to fall and potentially injure herself. Also consider placing a rubber mat on the floor where you stand to avoid slipping, as she will likely shake frequently throughout the bath, which can cause water to hit the floor.

    • 2

      Place a long hose attachment on your shower head. It is much easier to rinse a dog using an attachment than trying to do it directly from the faucet or a typical shower head. If you can't use an attachment, use a large cup to collect water from the faucet to rinse him. This will likely take much longer than a long-hosed shower head to completely rinse the dog, and he might become frightened by the strong water coming from the faucet. If this is the case, collect water in a bucket before you begin, and fill the cup from there.

    • 3

      Slip a leash around the dog's neck and tie it to the faucet to prevent the dog from jumping out. You may not need to worry about this if your dog is small and cannot jump over the top of your tub or if you are bathing her in a high-sided sanitary sink. Always watch your dog to ensure that she doesn't strangle herself because of the leash.

    • 4

      Place your shampoos and towels close to you so that you do not need to leave the tub in order to get them. Never leave your dog unattended in the bath, as he can injure himself if he tries to jump out.