You are one of the lucky ones if you can succeed in bathing your dog without any fuss. A majority of dogs hate bath time and will run in the opposite direction when they realize they are headed for the tub. Dogs do not seem to understand the point of baths. They are quite content with how they smell and do not see the need for all that washing. However, there are some tips you can follow for bathing a dog that is afraid of water. Check them out!
Related: Shower Heads to Help You Bathe Your Dog Without Breaking Your Back
Bathing a Dog That is Afraid of Water
Go for a walk first-
Many dogs like to get cooled off when they are hot and tired. So, you can use this to your advantage and go for a long walk before you attempt a bath.
Take your time–
If you are short on time, you won’t be able to fully focus on your dog and the task at hand. Be sure you set aside enough time so you can relax and focus on bath time.
Make bath time fun–
Bathing your dog should be a positive and enjoyable experience. You want to look at bath time just like you do play time. If your dog loves to play with toys, let them bring one into the tub with them.
Related: The Best Bathtub for Dogs
Don’t make the water too hot or too cold–
If the water in the tub is too hot or too cold, your dog isn’t going to want to take a bath. You want to ensure the water stays lukewarm so it feels relaxing and soothing to them.
Related: Dog Calming Aids – Questions and Answers
Take it outside!– If it is warm enough, you can try bathing your dog outside and treat it more like a game. Some dogs love playing with sprinklers and in kiddie pools, but don’t like the confinement of a small bath tub. Try using a child’s pool as your bath tub instead. Wear old clothes or a bathing suit and consider getting in with your dog. Just use gentle shampoo if you do this, so it doesn’t bother your sensitive skin!
Start when they are still a puppy- Depending on the age of your dog, it may be too late for this but you want to start bathing your dog when they are young. This will help them adjust to bath time and ensure that there are no problems down the room.
If you follow these tips for bathing a dog that is afraid of water, they should help lessen his fears. While it may take time, you’ll hopefully see that your dog is less afraid every time you say “bath time!” The key is to keep it upbeat and positive. Don’t scold your pup for being scared. Never yank him into the tub, yell, or use other aggressive means of bathing your dog. This will just cause him to associate bath time with sadness and anger.
Do you have any other tips for bathing a dog that is afraid of water? Share in the comments!
