Puppy Bathing Tips

If you are a first-time dog owner, you might want to know the best way to give your new puppy a bath. Puppies have much more energy than older dogs, and because of this they enjoy playing--even in the dirt. Giving your puppy a bath is harmless if you remember a few things.

  1. Shampoo

    • Purchase a shampoo that is going to be gentle on your new puppy's eyes. Drs. Foster &Smith make a tender eyes shampoo that will get the puppy's fir nice and clean. If your puppy has sensitive skin, he might need a special shampoo for that. Other than that, any shampoo formulated for a dog's pH balance is fine.

    Preparing for the Bath

    • Stand your puppy over a towel in your bathroom and brush his fur, removing all knots or burrs. If you are not using a shampoo made to be easy on the puppy's eyes, administer two drops of sterile ointment to each.

      Fill the bathtub up to the puppy's knees in warm water, making sure it isn't too hot.
      You want the experience to be a pleasant one, or the puppy will fight you at bath time for the rest of his life.

    Washing the Pup

    • Use a cup to get the puppy's fur wet, then apply the shampoo and lather him up. Wait five minutes for the shampoo to do its job; this is also the time it takes to kill any fleas.

      Get your cup back out and rinse the soap and dirt off. Make sure you get all of it; any soap left on your puppy can cause his skin to itch. Dry your puppy off with a towel. You can let him finish drying naturally during warmer months, but you might want to blow dry him in the winter; just make sure you use the low heat setting.