Is your dog terrified by the prospect of a bath? Just the mention of the word can send some dogs into a panic which makes the task of bathing your canine quite uncomfortable Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to make a dog bath a much more pleasant experience for everyone involved.
Give your dog a bath outdoors.
If the temperatures are warm, your dog will probably prefer an outdoor bath. Get a kiddy pool at your local toy store and use the hose as your water source. The pool will give your dog plenty of room and he may end up thinking of his bath as playtime. You may want to place a towel on the bottom of the pool to keep your dog from sliding around during the bath. Add a bath mat.
If you'll be bathing your dog in your home bathtub, place a rubber mat on the floor of the tub to keep your dog from slipping. A slick bathtub floor can cause your dog some anxiety and further perpetuate his avoidance of baths. Give him a secure rubber surface to stand on and he'll feel much more secure.
Turn your dog's bath into a spa session.
Give you dog gentle, soothing massages and rubs during his bath time. With this kind of special treatment, your dog may start to look forward to his scheduled dog bath.
Add some soothing music.
Play some soft music to calm your dog during his bath.
Protect your dog's ears from water.
Carefully insert a cotton ball into each of your dog's ears before turning on the bath water. Dogs don't like the sensation of water in their ears. This simple step can significantly reduce your dog's anxiety level.
Choose a gentle shampoo.
Many dog shampoos on the market are chemical based and very irritating to the skin and eyes. Choose an all natural dog shampoo that won't irritate your dog's skin. Avoid getting shampoo in your dog's eyes during his dog bath.
Make the water a pleasant temperature. Use lukewarm water when bathing your dog. Cold water is too shocking for your dog and you risk burns if you keep the water temperature too high. The water you use should be slightly warm to the touch of your hand. Praise your dog when bath time is over.
Give your dog a favorite treat such as a dog cookie when he completes his bath. You dog will learn to associate bath time kind words and cookies.
Now you know that dog bath time can be easy for both you and your canine. By taking a few simple steps to make your dog more comfortable, the scheduled bath will go much more smoothly.
