Wondering how to give your puppy a bath but unsure about the best way to get started with the least amount of stress for everyone? We’ve got a plan for you, plus a mini training guide you can print or use digitally as you teach your puppy to be comfortable with bath time.

Bathing a new pup is often high on the list of things puppy people are eager to do. Unfortunately, it’s rarely ever high on the puppy’s to-do list. Theirs is more, put everything in my mouth, jump around, sniff, put more stuff in my mouth, sleep, repeat. 

Trust 

Since we know there are things we will want/need to do with our pup that they will likely find stressful, now’s the time to teach them, ‘It’s okay! You’re safe.‘ ‘I’ll make this work for you, too. You can trust me.’ Building trust in your relationship should be a priority. It affects all aspects of life together. It is not uncommon for puppies to be very uncomfortable with being deposited into a tub or sink, restrained, soaked and scrubbed, then restrained again to be dried off. And then there’s the all too often sliding around on a slippery, wet surface, adding to the stress.

Baby steps get you there faster. When you break the task of bathing your puppy down into small steps, and have a good plan, bath time stress will be decreased for your puppy and you. Read on to learn pro tips and the steps to bathing your puppy.

How to Use the Best Bath Plan

Read through these detailed instructions a couple of times, then print out several copies of the handout included at the bottom (or use it digitally). Use the handout to make sure you practice each step and to make notes of what’s going great and what needs attention. The goal is to get your puppy comfortable with all the components that go into giving a bath, then you put them all together.

Hint: You do not need to work on the steps in any particular order. There may be some steps your puppy is comfortable with and you can breeze right through, other steps may need some more attention to trust/comfort building.

Must have supplies

• Two no-slip shower mats
• Lots of treats your puppy loves 
• A food-stuffed toy your puppy loves
• The shampoo you are planning on using 
• A bucket 
• A big sponge or washcloth 
• A big towel

*A blow dryer is optional. Comfort with sound & air is focused on during separate sessions. 

Steps to Your Best Bath Plan:

Build a positive association with the no-slip mat

In a location where your puppy is comfortable (not your bathroom), introduce the no-slip shower mat. 

Feed small handfuls of treats by scattering them directly on the mat. 

Toss a treat away to reset the puppy to come back to the mat. 

Repeat this step 20 to 30 times. 

Now it’s time to up your game.

Using a small container, pour a bit of water on the mat to create a wet surface. Repeat the steps above.

Tip: This is a great exercise to use your pup’s meal for. Be sure to mix in some extra tasty treats. You can also feed your pup their meal (from a toy or bowl) on the mat. When your puppy loves running to a wet bath mat, you’re ready to move it to the bath location. 

Towel introduction

Get the puppy used to the large-size towel you’ll be using for drying them, much the same way. Tip: If your pup is biting the towel at this step, use a smaller one, move it more slowly, or change your food.

• Place it on the ground and sprinkle with lots of treats. 
• Pick it up and feed treats. 
• Gently place a portion of the towel against the pup’s shoulder and feed treats. 
• Drape a portion over the pup’s back and feed treats. 
• Gradually move the towel in a drying motion, and feed the treats.

Move the mat to the bath location

If your puppy will need to be lifted into a tub or sink, be sure to practice ‘lift’ separately. 

This involves giving your pup an information cue that you’ll be picking them up, followed by feeding a treat. Many pups don’t enjoy being lifted, and over a relatively short period, they develop a strong aversion to you bending and reaching for them. They will start to run away from you and bite at your hands due to stress. 

Repeat the same exercise of feeding multiple treats or a food-stuffed toy on the mat that is now placed in the bath location. Still no running water. Patience. When you lift your puppy out of the bath or shower, be sure they are standing on the second no-slip mat. Always avoid slippery floors.

When your pup is comfortable on the mat in the bath location, it’s time to add the water to the mix.

Turn on the tap

Slowly turn a tap on so they hear/see very slow-running water. You can pair this with happy chatter (telling them how brave they are) and yummy treats. Repeat 5-10 times. 

Or partially fill a bucket and use the sponge to introduce the water. Still no water on the puppy. 

Open the shampoo

Let them smell it. Pair the smell with treats. Repeat 5-10 times. 

Shampoo and water on the pup for the first time

When you’re ready to use water for the first time, lighter pressure is a good idea, or use a big sponge. Tip: You can even do a bath session, wetting part of your pup versus the whole body and not adding shampoo.

When you are ready to add the shampoo, be conservative with the amount you use. This means less rinsing, which gets the pup out of the bath quicker. 

Using a helper who can feed a steady stream of tasty treats is also recommended. 

Baby steps get you there faster

Break down the process of giving a bath into tiny steps, and ensure you set your pup up for success during each step. This way, you are more likely to have a cooperative dog. Grab your copy of Steps to the Best Bath here. Print out as many as you need and use a new Best Bath handout for each step. Keep good notes!

Have you checked out our latest book?

Learn more about Puppy Socialization 2.0 here.