If you’ve ever seen a scene in a movie or TV show where someone is bathing a dog, the chances are good that you would expect it to be a fun and hilarious adventure. The characters are laughing, the dogs are behaving, there’s no mess… it truly seems as if everyone is having a great time. If you have ever bathed a dog in real life, however, you know that often times, these scenes could not be further from the truth.

 

The truth is that stinky and dirty dogs only bother us. In fact, dogs don’t mind it at all — and they will often do whatever it takes in order to get out of bath time. While seeing a wet dog covered head to toe in suds running through the house may be hysterical in movies, it’s not so fun or funny when it’s real life. Here are our 6 best tips to help you bathe your dog like a pro.

 

Tip #1: Establish the strong power of positive association.

 


One of the best strategies for getting through bath time with your pup, as well as anything new you may be introducing to your dog, is to associate the bath with something positive. Instead of dragging your dog to the bathtub for bath time, or scolding and yelling when they try to run or hide, offer toys, treats, and affection to get your dog to come to the bath, as well as any time they behave in a positive way during the bath.

 

One idea is to start slow, getting your dog used to being in the empty bathtub just spending time there (feel free to add treats, too!). Then, work your way up to adding warm — never hot — water into the tub.

 

Tip #2: Start at a young age.

 

If you have a puppy or a young dog, you should start bathing them regularly as soon as possible. This way, they will get used to the bath and will not have any negative associations tied to bath time. Putting in a little effort to get your puppy used to baths now will save you a lot of additional effort and trouble in the future.

 

Tip #3: Always protect their ears.

It is important to protect your dog’s ears during bath time and avoid getting water in them. Not only is getting water in their ears uncomfortable for your pet, it can actually lead to health problems and possible infections. If your dog will allow you to put cotton balls into their ears, this is a great technique to keep their ears dry. Otherwise, be sure to avoid spraying or pouring water in or around their ears.

 

Tip #4: Use the right shampoo and supplies.

 

A great way to make bath time more enjoyable for your pup is to make sure that you are using a quality shampoo and the right supplies. You want a shampoo that doesn’t cause them to scratch, and also that doesn’t irritate or dry out their skin. Ideally, you want a mild and gentle shampoo that effectively cleans your dog and removes unpleasant odors, without stripping away essential and important oils.

 

Tip #5: Work from the neck down.

 

In addition to keeping your dog’s ears safe, you also want to protect their face, especially their eyes and nose. But how do you do this? Simple — just work from the neck down. Use a cup or small bucket to wet your dog, or even a sprayer. To clean your dog’s face, simply use a damp washcloth and wipe their face clean, taking care to remove any buildup around the eyes.

 

For dogs with long hair or beards, you will want to pay special attention to this area that often gets stained. Our Off the Beard Stain Remover is a product especially designed for this area, and naturally and safely removes tough stains from the hair that regular shampoos just won’t remove.

 

Tip #6: Dry properly.

 

Once the bath is finished, you should be sure to dry your dog properly. Towel-dry to remove excess water from your dog’s coat. Many people, including grooming professionals, swear by blow dryers made for dogs, but the heat and sound are definitely something that your pet will need time to adjust to. If you choose to use a blow dryer, be sure to take care to avoid burning their skin or holding the dryer too close.

 

About Eye Envy

 

Founded in 2001, we pride ourselves on offering our customers safe, effective, and natural products to care for their pets. We offer a wide selection of products, including tear stain removers, shampoos, tools, and more. But don’t take our word for it — check out our before and after gallery, with pictures submitted by real customers. To learn more, feel free to contact us today.