Are you getting ready to bathe your puppy for the first time? Here is everything you need to know.

Puppy bathing might sound simple, but getting your little ball of fur squeaky clean has its challenges. It’s normal for new pup parents to have questions. From choosing the right shampoo and brush to wondering how often can you bathe a puppy, it’s normal to feel a little bit overwhelmed by all the bathing time decisions. We’re breaking it down for you, step by step.

When can you bathe a puppy?

Usually, your pup can skip their first bath until they’re about 8 weeks old. The body temperature self-regulates for older dogs, but puppies might have trouble and could become chilled. This is why holding off bathing them for the first few weeks is generally a good idea. Instead, use a warm wash rag to clean them when necessary.
If you’re not sure at what age you can bathe your puppy, make sure you ask your vet as well.

How often should you bathe a puppy?

A good rule of thumb is to give your pup a bath once a month. However, this can change based on your dog’s needs and their type of coat. Double-coated dogs don’t need baths that often, once or twice a year is usually enough. But curly-coated fellow need to be in the bath more often than that. As always, your vet can help you choose the best bathing schedule for your dog’s needs, so don’t hesitate to ask them. 

What you will need for your puppy’s first bath

Let’s start easy with a shopping list. Here are the must-haves of puppy bathing time.

• Table
• Towel
• Suitable puppy brush
• Hair dryer
• Dog bath or other suitable container
• Puppy shampoo
• A treat

Steps for bathing a puppy

When your puppy arrives home for the first time, it is beneficial to give them a bath in order to let them start their new experience fresh and clean. Here is a step-by-step guide for bathing your puppy without any unnecessary complications:

1. Place the puppy on a table

The table has to be specifically designated for the job. In placing the puppy in this elevated, unfamiliar spot, you will help them understand that you are not playing. This will help you handle bathtime safely and comfortably. Put a towel on the table to ensure your puppy doesn’t slip off. It will also absorb excess water.

3. Turn the hairdryer on

Leave the dryer near the table to help your puppy get used to the noise of the appliance. The idea is to get your puppy used to this situation while making this a nurturing and joyful experience.

4. Place your puppy in the bath

Proceed to place your puppy in a decent sized container or dog/puppy bath, which should be inside the bathtub.

5. Soak the puppy in warm water

Using the showerhead, soak your puppy in warm water, always making sure that it is not too hot or cold. Whether you’re indoors or out, use lukewarm water and let it run until it reaches your dog’s knee level. Don’t overfill the tub, as this could make your dog panic.

Always read the label as some shampoos need to be diluted while medicated shampoos may need to be left for a few minutes to activate. Lather their body all over, including the tail, underside and neck, taking particular care to avoid their eyes and ears.

7. Gently start scrubbing

The scrubbing will not only wash and massage the puppy, but will also get them used to being handled.

8. Rinse

It is important to rinse the fur of all shampoo once you have finished bathing your puppy. When they’re ready to be rinsed, use one hand to operate the shower nozzle or pour the jug of warm, clean water and the other hand to hold a flannel to protect their eyes and ears. If your dog has loose facial skin or long droopy ears, get between the skin folds with baby wipes or a damp flannel with no excess water and definitely no soap. You might need to do this regularly, even daily, using a damp cloth.

When they have done this, start with a vigorous round with the towel. While you are drying them, rest them on your stomach and keep them still with one hand to ensure they feel safe.
With the hairdryer, apply warm air to the fur, starting from the tail to not scare them. Try and avoid blowing air directly on their nose and ears. Make sure your puppy is thoroughly dry, particularly the back and under the legs.

10. Brush

Once you have finished bathing your puppy and drying them off, place your puppy on the table again for a couple of seconds and brush and stroke them.

11. Treat time!

Last but not least, give your puppy a biscuit as a reward!

Puppy bathing tips:

• Make sure the dryer isn’t too close to their skin, is not directed into their eyes and keep the airflow warm but not hot.
• When dogs get wet their natural response is to roll and rub their heads, necks and bodies on any available ground, including grass. To stop them getting dirty as soon as they’ve just been cleaned, lay down some dog towels on the bathroom floor or the lawn and encourage your puppy to use these instead.
• Small and thin breeds get cold easily, so keep your puppy in a warm room until they’re completely dry.
• It is very important to rinse the shampoo and/or conditioner thoroughly as residue can make their coat itchy or dry.
• Clean their inner ears using a specific dog ear cleaner (available from pet shops or your vets) but never put anything in their ear canals such as cotton wool or a cotton bud.
• If your dog shows signs of nervousness, especially if it’s their first bath, offer them plenty of praise and reassurance throughout.

How to get your puppy used to the hairdryer

If your puppy coat is very long or thick, they can take a surprisingly long time to dry so you may want to use a hairdryer. Hairdryers can be quite frightening for a dog so reassure them and reward good behaviour.

If your puppy is likely to need their hair dried but isn’t used to it, start introducing it from an early age, initially just using the dryer to make noise in the room, before moving it towards the dog with lots of soothing encouragement.