When you bring home a puppy, you know you’re in for a lot of love, a lot of laughs, and a lot of work. If you’ve ever had a puppy, you know they had a tendency to make messes and get dirty with reckless abandon. It’s a beautiful thing to watch until the realization hits that you have to clean all that up!
Puppy baths are part and parcel of having a puppy, and as your local pet supplies store, we are here to support you through your relationship with your new dog. Let’s go over some basic Do’s and Don’ts for puppy baths, and we can recommend some at-home grooming/supplements that can make your life easier and your puppy happier when they’re in the tub!
Puppy Baths: Do’s and Don’ts
Bathing helps clean up messy dogs, and there are many ways to do it, but there are also some ways not to do it. When dogs are young is the perfect time to develop new healthy habits and attempt to get them comfortable bathing, being groomed, or otherwise. It’s also important that you try not to limit their experiences just because you might not want to clean them! They need the freedom to explore, stretch their curious minds, and interact with the world.
Puppy Baths: Do’s
Bathe your puppy regularly, and as needed. It’s okay to give them an extra bath or rinse here and there based on what they’ve gotten into this time. You can also just rinse their paws, neck,or whichever part of them is soiled.
Puppies are generally adopted between 8 and 12 weeks, and that’s old enough for baths.
Take your time, and heap praises and treats on them for good behavior.
Use the right shampoo. At Wags to Wiskers Pet Supplies, our sales staff can help you choose what’s right for your dog based on breed, coat type, size, scent, or other purpose. Contact us to ask us if you have any questions, we’re happy to provide support for pet supplies in Ann Arbor, Chelsea, or Ludington, MI.
Make sure you have everything you’ll need before you get started because leaving your puppy unattended in the tub is a really bad idea.
Be sure to avoid the eyes and ears, as these are extra sensitive for dogs, and water in the ears can result in ear infections. Use a wet washcloth and a detachable sprayer for best results.
Puppy Baths: Don’ts
Don’t bathe your puppy every day. This isn’t necessary and can result in dry and flaky skin or a coat that sheds too easily.
Don’t wait too long for your puppy’s first at-home bath. The earlier you instill these behaviors and try to make it fun, the more receptive they will be to it when they grow into adulthood.
Don’t rush. Start them in the bath without water, and add water at a later date. If you’re thinking of using a blowdryer, then the same principle applies: start with a towel before moving onto a blowdryer, and make sure that you begin with the lowest setting as your puppy may not like the noise.
Don’t use water that’s as hot as you would like it! Lukewarm is a good starting place.
Don’t let your dog back outdoors until they’re totally dry, as a wet coat is more attractive to bacteria, dirt, and bugs that you don’t want in your puppy’s fur!
Puppy Baths: Do’s and Don’ts
Conclusion
Some puppies love water, while others may never take to it. If your dog never loves it, that’s okay, it’s normal for many dogs. You can work to influence it by providing puppy baths at an early age, and you can try your best to make it an enjoyable experience for them, and sometimes that’s the best you can do! At least they will feel supported and loved throughout the entire experience.
For additional resources and pet supplies in Ann Arbor, Chelsea, or Ludington, contact Wags to Wiskers Pet Supplies, your local pet supply store for dogs, cats, reptiles, birds, and small mammals.