Puppy bath time:
Your first puppy bath time can be full of noise, mess and water everywhere! But here are some simple ideas to help you achieve a sweet-smelling, shiny pooch.
Remember that you should wash your dog often enough that your dog becomes used to it but not so often that you strip his coat of all its natural oils. Make sure you have a good supply of old towels on hand and, in cold weather, somewhere warm for your dog to go while his coat is drying. On this page: Puppy's first bath time: how old should he be? How often should I bath my puppy? Puppy's first bath time: how old should he be?As a general rule, a puppy should not need a bath before it is about 8 weeks old. 
A Tibetan Spaniel puppy having her first bath Before that age, a puppy can be wiped clean with a damp cloth. A breeder will often give the puppy his first puppy bath before you collect him - to make sure he's looking (and smelling!) at his best. Getting your puppy used to the idea of puppy bath time at an early age is a good idea. Few dogs like the idea of soap and water but you don't want to end up with a grown-up dog that is impossible to bathe. So it's important to get him used to the experience while young. What products should I use?Never use human shampoos on your puppy! Human shampoos and dog shampoos have a different pH balance - human shampoos are designed to work well with human skin but will dry out a dog's coat and skin. This can lead to skin irritations and scratching. If you really can't get a puppy or dog shampoo when for puppy bathing, you can use a human baby shampoo instead - but do make sure you get some products designed for puppies as soon as possible. You can find good products online, such as Sparkle and Shine Shampoo, which is gentle enough to be used on the youngest puppies. If your puppy has a long coat, you may like to use a puppy or dog coat conditioner as well. This will help keep the coat silky and shiny and easy to brush. You can also buy products that are '2 in 1' - that is, one product is both shampoo and conditioner. This makes puppy bath time a little quicker and easier to get through since you only need to apply one product! A good example is Bubbles 'n Beads Shampoo & Conditioner.
Make sure you have a good quality shampoo designed for
puppies on hand!
How often should I bath my puppy?Unless you have a show dog, try to bath your puppy only when he needs it. This is usually when he has rolled in something nasty or has developed that distinctive 'doggy' smell. Bathing your puppy too often can strip the coat of its natural oils and make your dog's skin itchy. Some people with short-haired dogs might bath their dog only every few months; others find that every 4-8 weeks works better at keeping those doggy smells away. Show dogs, however, might need a dog bath every one or two weeks in show season. If your dog has stepped in something smelly or has muddy paws or legs, it's not necessary to give them a full bath. You can wipe their paws with a damp cloth or stand them in a small amount of soapy water and swish it around their legs. Remember that you need to bath your dog often enough that he becomes used to the procedure but not so often that his coat becomes dry or his skin itchy. If he does get itchy skin, you can try using a special shampoo, such as Comfy Dog, which contains oatmeal, a natural remedy for dry skin. How do I bath my puppy?How you give your puppy a bath will depend on your puppy's size. The owners of smaller dogs have an easier time of it - small dogs can be put into the laundry tub, the bath or even the bathroom basin. Put a non-slip mat in the tub or bath so your puppy doesn't slip over. Professional groomersIf your dog is too large for you to handle easily or has long hair or a thick coat, you may be better off finding a dog groomer in your area.Professional dog groomers have all the equipment needed to bath any size of dog and will also offer brushing, coat clipping and nail cutting services. Some will even come to your home, bringing all the bathing equipment in a 'mobile dog wash'. Big dogs will need to be bathed in your own bath or outside with a hose. You can buy shower attachments for your tub or basin taps from hardware stores that will make puppy bath time easier. Use lukewarm (tepid) water to bath your dog. Make sure the water temperature is a little cooler than you would use for yourself as dogs are more sensitive to hot water temperatures. Be sure to keep the shampoo out of your dog's eyes to avoid irritation. Try to keep the water out of his ears too as water in the ear can cause infections. Once you've rinsed the shampoo or conditioner from your puppy, rub him down immediately with clean dry towels. This is the bit most puppies love! A good rub and a bit of a play at this stage will reward him for being a good dog in the tub! Depending on the weather, you can then let him run about (inside!) to finish drying himself or, if it's cold, put him in a warm room in front of a heater. It's important not to let your puppy get too cold while he's wet. If your dog has longer hair, you may need to use a hair dryer on its lowest setting to get the coat dried quickly. Some puppies hate the sound of the hair dryer so take it gently at first until your puppy gets used to it. Give the coat a good brush when it is dry, even if you have a short-coated dog as it will help to get rid of dead hair and skin. Brushing will also massage the skin, encouraging the natural oils to move through the coat. More puppy care at PuppyPrimer.comPuppy bath time is also a good opportunity to clip his nails (if you know how to do it yourself - see Dog Nails for more info) and check his teeth (see Puppy Teeth) and ears (see Dog Ear Care). TopPuppy bath time can be messy and noisy since most dogs aren't keen on soap and water!
But getting your puppy used
to being bathed is an important part of puppy care.
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