Both you and your puppy should look forward to bath time as a refreshing experience. But, if your little fur ball treats bath time like a battlefield, you are not alone! Many parents of puppies experience this challenge, but there is good news; you can turn bath time from a time of struggle into a fun-filled activity!
We will look into some of the primary reasons behind your puppy's distress at bath time, as well as analyze how to shift it into a stress-free and enjoyable routine for you both.
Why Do Puppies Hate Baths?
Well, your puppy’s frustration clearly has triggers and here are some of them:
1️⃣ It Feels Strange!
For a puppy who has never had a bath before, the water running over their fur can feel extremely confounding. Unlike humans, dogs don’t bathe on a daily basis, thus do not understand the need for it in the first place.
2️⃣ The Tub Is Slippery
If you have a puppy, you may have noticed that standing inside a tub full of water can sometimes be perceived as scary. For some puppies, it is difficult to balance in such slippery conditions, and if they start to panic, they may attempt to flee.
3️⃣ They Don’t Respond Well to Being Restricted
Puppies can be very energetic! Trying to immobilize them while cleaning their coat can make them feel like they are stuck, making them try to wriggle out or get away.
4️⃣ They Also Might Not Be Comfortable with the Temperature
If dogs view the water as boiling hot or icy cold, they will display unpleasant behavior as a reaction. Since they are sensitive to changes in temperature, this makes sense.
5️⃣ They Might Have Had a Negative Encounter
When it comes to bath time, puppies who have slipped in the tub or received the unpleasant experience of having soap or water get into their ears, eyes, or both, remember it.
6️⃣ Noisy Things Can Be Frightening
Some puppies find the sound of a shower very frightening. Others may have problems with certain types of echoes which leads some to finding the echo in bathrooms to be unpleasant.
Ways to Make Bath Time More Pleasant
As we've established the reasons puppies might dislike bath time, let's take a look at how we can turn it into a fun experience.
1️⃣ Use Water Increments to Slowly Arouse Their Interest
You might consider starting showers at full blast, but a better idea would be to allow them to experience smaller amounts of water for starters:
It allows them to get accustomed to being around water prior to the actual bath.
2️⃣ Create a Happy Atmosphere
If your puppy thinks that the bath means getting punished, then there is bound to be some resistance. To prevent this:
✔ Allocate treats before and after the bath.
✔ Use a calming and reassuring tone.
✔ Allow them to play with a toy while bathing.
✔ Help them stay calm and praise them.
Associative positive reinforcement enables them to build positive connections with bath time!
3️⃣ Ensure Right Suitability in Temperature
Extreme temperatures either too hot or too cold make your puppy uncomfortable. Lukewarm water makes for an appropriate choice.
🐶 Make sure to test it with your wrist before pouring it on the pup!
4️⃣ Place a Rubber Mat on The Bath Tub
Put a mat or rubber towel at the bottom to avoid your puppy slipping inside the bathtub.
🐾 If your puppy feels calm, there is a high chance they are going to enjoy the bath!
5️⃣ Apply Moderate Dog Shampoo Only
Shampoo meant for human use can be irritating to a dog´s skin. Always use puppy friendly shampoo which:
✔ Gently free of tears.
✔ Does not dehydrate fur.
✔ Has a soft scent that is non-foul.
6️⃣ Avoid Water Getting Into Their Eyes & Ears
One of the biggest reasons puppies dislike baths is because water gets into their eyes or ears, which is painful.
🐶 Pouring water directly onto their face is not advisable. Use a soft washcloth instead.
🐶 Water is likely to run into their ears as well, so slightly tilt their head.
🐶 Put some ear cottons to help them feel more comfortable.
7️⃣ Keep It Short & Simple
The longer the puppy stays in the bath, the more uncomfortable they will become.
⏳ Try to limit baths to 5-10 minutes so you can get them clean without making them uncomfortable!
What If Your Puppy Still Dislikes Bath Time?
For some puppies, no amount of tricks makes them accept that they need a bath. Here are a few additional tips:
1️⃣ Rather than a showerhead, use a small cup for pouring water.
Some dogs are sensitive to constant running water, so a small cup can replace the showerhead.
2️⃣ Consider using a waterless dog shampoo
If your puppy goes into a panic every time, using a waterless dog shampoo or pet wipes will allow them to stay clean without the stress.
3️⃣ Build a routine around bathing them
Your puppy will have a hard time adjusting if they only get a bath very sporadically.
🐾 Incorporating baths into their routine from early on makes bath time an activity that will feel normal for them.
4️⃣ Reward Them by Allowing Them to Play Afterwards
Your puppy is likely to look forward to bath time if they know that it is followed by something fun!
✔ Let them play their favorite game.
✔ Give them a reward treat.
✔ Bring them outside for a little walk after their bath.
This redirection encourages them to shift from worrying to getting excited!
When To Visit a Vet
When it is time for them to take a bath, if your puppy is completely losing it by panting, shaking, or attempting to bite, it maybe due to a previous trauma or some underlying medical condition.
✔ Bathing can be a real pain if skin allergies exist.
✔ Water might hurt if there is an ear infection.
🐾 A vet can address any medical concerns that need to be ruled out!
Conclusion: Bath Time Can be Enjoyable!
If your puppy approaches bath time like a warzone, don’t worry – you are not the only one who feels this way! Bath time, when paired with positive reinforcement, can be made stress-free or even enjoyable with the right approach and bit of patience.
🐶 Allow them to gradually get used to water being used.
🐶 Keep them comfortable by using a non-slip mat along with tepid water.
🐶 Offer them a reward both before and after the bath and while soaking them.
Over time, bath time will be something your puppy either loves, or at the very least tolerates. That’s less stress for everyone involved! 🚿🐾