Quit Fighting With Your Dog at Bath Time

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     Bathing your dog should not be a tough battle. The trick is starting it slow and easy to break-in your dog to regular bath time. These simple tips will show you the way.

Choose a Regular Spot

Bath time should be familiar with your dog. Familiarity breeds acquaintance with the sights, sounds, and smells. If you are giving a puppy its first bath, choose an indoor location such as the sink. A puppy fits well in the sink and it is comfortable for you as well. You can have an alternate bath area such as the backyard or the tub but you must gradually introduce the puppy to the new bath arena.

Establish a Pre-Bath Routine

Go through a regular routine prior to the bath. Brush his fur to remove dust and grime and brush matted hair. The familiarity of the motions alerts the puppy that he is in for a bath. While others clean their dog's faces with a wash cloth during the bath, you can do this before the actual bath. Doing so shortens bath time and the struggle at the sink.

Water should not get into the dog's eyes or ears. To prevent a bigger fight during bath time, clean the dog's ears with damp cotton buds. Use a wash cloth to clean the outer ear area and the back of the ears. At bath time, you only have to wipe the face and the ears just to make sure that these get a good dose of clean running water.

Have Everything on Hand

It is a waste of time hunting for brushes and dog shampoo when the dog is already in the sink. If this is the first bath for the dog, he or she needs the assurance of your presence. A frisky pup might just jump off the sink when you go to get a clean dry towel. You can just guess what catastrophe can happen if the puppy is in the tub.

Prepare a Bath Treat

Calm your puppy with a treat or reward him with his favorite chews if he goes through the bath like an angel. Giving him a treat after bath time makes him look forward to this routine. After several baths, your puppy will lead the way - or meekly follow you to his bathing area.

How Often Should a Dog Get a Bath?

Dogs are not bathed everyday or their fur becomes dry due to loss of their natural oils. A dog should be bathed when their coat becomes greasy or dirty. It is good enough to bathe the dog once a week or twice if the weather is really warm and the dog is dirty.

The Dog's Bath Water

Dogs, like people, have a natural aversion to hot and cold water. Before sloshing your dog or puppy, check the water temperature with your elbow. If the water is fine for you, then it should also be fine with your dog.

It might take a while before your dog gets used to the routine, but eventually he will get used to it. Your dog's bath time will be easy and pleasant for both of you.