Can you imagine how hard it would be to bathe a dog that hates water?
Pups instinctively hate baths; they may growl at their owner, refuse to move during the process, and even bite. But that doesn’t mean you must step back and let your dirty dog run around.
It would help if you kept your pup clean to keep them healthy and shiny. In order to make a bath peaceful for that dog who hates baths, you can apply some tips or techniques such as bath them outside, making them comfortable, bringing bribes for baths,s and many more.
Read on to find out the five tips on how to bathe a dog that hates water and many more bathing details-
Things you need for bathing your dog:
Dog Brush
Brush your dog daily to keep his coat clean and healthy. A well-groomed dog looks better, feels better, and smells better.
This includes brushing your dog’s coat before bathing him to help prevent matting. If you’re looking for a good grooming tool, consider one of these brushes. But, again, brushing before a bath is important.
Dog Shampoo
The most important thing you can do for your dog is to keep him clean. A dirty dog is a happy dog. But it doesn’t always mean he needs to go into the bathtub.
Plenty of products on the market are designed just for his special needs. In fact, there are even some great options specifically tailored for dogs with sensitive skin.
If you’re looking for a good quality product that won’t irritate your pet’s skin, check out Envirogroom.
Their products are safe and effective for both dogs and cats. Natural ingredients include aloe vera, chamomile extract, rosemary, lavender, and more.
You’ll find that EnviroGroom offers a variety of products, including shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and grooming products. Check out their site here.
Conditioner
If you’ve ever used human hair conditioner on your dog, you know how much better their coat feels afterward. But what about those times when you don’t want to use the stuff on yourself?
You might be wondering whether or not you could do the same thing to your pet. Well, yes, you absolutely can. There are many reasons why you should consider giving your furry friend some quality conditioner.
Bathtub Supplies
A well-maintained bathroom is one of the most important rooms in your home. It’s where you spend the majority of your time, so it makes sense to keep it looking great. If your bathroom is starting to look tired and worn out, here are some simple things you can do to make sure it stays looking good.
Ear Cleaner
Effortless ear cleaning for dogs and cats.
VETOQUINOL® Ear Cleaner for Dogs & Cats is a safe and effective way to keep your pet’s ears healthy.
The unique formula gently cleans and protects the sensitive skin around the ear canal while providing essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Use daily to help prevent ear infections and promote good health.
Towels and Blow Dryer
A good quality, absorbent microfiber towel is essential for keeping dogs cool while bathing. When drying off, most dogs prefer a shampoo side down. However, some breeds, like German Shepherds, require extra attention because of their long hair coats.
Blow dryers are great tools for quickly removing water and debris from pet coats. They work well for short-haired pets, though they can cause damage to long coats. Professional groomers use high-powered blow dryers to eliminate excess moisture and frizziness during a shampooing session.
After all those preparations, why does a dog still hate baths?
To overcome the hatred of baths, we need to understand why some dogs hate them.
There are a couple of “main” reasons why dogs fear water or baths, although we don’t know the exact reasons behind every case.
- Inappropriate introduction to water in the beginning – Many puppy parents rush into bathing their puppies too quickly. By continuing to bathe their dog despite nervous/stress signals, they think their dog will become accustomed to the experience. Often, dogs hate baths because of this reason.
- Some dogs may have had unpleasant experiences with baths or water, such as being scalded by bath water, getting water in their ears, or any other unpleasant experience. Poor experiences can affect dogs for a long time. They make quick associations.
- A somewhat unknown reason – Some dogs just don’t seem to enjoy baths at all. Those are rarer than categories 1 or 2, but they do exist. A puppy’s preference for baths/water may also play a role. Some breeds simply enjoy the water more than others.
Here are five tips to reduce the hassle a little bit:
Bathing a dog will never be 100% hassle-free, but these tips can reduce your hassle by 5-10%. So let’s dig in.
1. Bribery to get a bath
A study published earlier this month found that dogs are far less likely to resist bathing if they receive rewards. Researchers tested three groups of dogs: one group received no rewards; another got treats for completing simple obedience tasks such as sitting down and staying still during the process; while the third group got rewards for jumping into the tub. All the dogs had been trained to sit down and stay still prior to being bathed.
The researchers found that dogs who didn’t get rewarded for the obedience training were much more likely to resist getting wet.
Dogs who completed the obedience training were just as likely to jump into the tub regardless of whether they’d been given a reward or not. And finally, the dogs who got rewards for jumping into a tub were much more likely to comply with the command to “get in.”
So what does this mean for pet owners? If you’re having trouble motivating your dog to take a shower, try giving him a little extra incentive. You don’t want to bribe your dog too often, though, as he’ll quickly learn that you’re rewarding his disobedience.
Instead, keep your dog’s favorite treats nearby and offer them up as rewards for good bathroom manners.
2. Make them comfortable
While many pet owners love taking baths with their furry friends, others struggle to keep their pooches calm and happy during the process. Dogs don’t like being confined to small spaces and often become anxious when placed in a tub.
The same goes for bathing. They don’t like feeling trapped inside a tiny area where they cannot move around freely. This causes them stress and anxiety and sometimes even leads to accidents.
To help keep your dog comfortable and relaxed, consider purchasing a waterproof mat specifically designed for the bathroom. A good option is the PetSafe Bath Pad, which features a thick rubber bottom that provides traction and prevents slips.
3. Bathe outside
If you live in an area where temperatures are mild enough, you might want to consider taking your pet outdoors during bathing time. This way, you won’t have to worry about getting soap or shampoo inside your home.
However, there are some things to keep in mind before doing this. First off, make sure the weather is nice enough. Also, make sure you know how to bathe your dog properly. Finally, make sure you have adequate safety precautions in place.
4. For water temperature, use goldilocks theory
The temperature should not be too high or too low.
Do you remember the last time you plunged into ice-cold water? No fun at all, I agree. Dogs don’t like it, either. They may feel uncomfortable and want to escape the discomfort if the bath water is too cold.
The hotter the water, the less likely your dog will enjoy it. Having a shower that borders on blistering may be pleasant to you, but it may be uncomfortable and shocking for your dog. Depending on the temperature, it could even be dangerous.
5. Make use of the cue word “bath.”
Ensure you use a cue word when feeding and brushing your dog in the bathing area, such as “bath.” This will help remove the surprise of a bath.
Which is the best water for dogs?
When bathing your dog, you should always use lukewarm water. This is because dogs have a more sensitive sense of smell than we do, and the hot water chemicals can overwhelm them. In addition, lukewarm water will be more comfortable for your dog and won’t dry out their skin as much.
Fill the tub with no more than a few inches of lukewarm water. You don’t want your dog to be standing in a deep pool of water, as this can be scary for them.
Don’t bathe your dog in warmer or colder water than what you would use to wash a baby. Dogs have sensitive skin, so it’s important to use gentle temperatures.
Turn the water off before you start washing your dog, as the sound of running water can be stressful for them.
Dogs: How Often Should They Be Bathed?
The frequency of bathing your dog depends on its hair type, skin sensitivity, health conditions, and your own personal preferences.
Too frequent bathing strips the skin and coat of its natural oils. This can lead to dryness, irritation, and even infections. In addition, bathing your dog daily can cause excessive shedding, leading to dirt buildup and odor.
Some breeds shed less than others, though most dogs shed about four times per year. Dogs with short coats, like poodles and Shih Tzus, tend to shed more often, while long-haired dogs, such as golden retrievers and Labradors, shed less often.
As long as your dog isn’t suffering from any skin problems, you don’t need to wash them daily.
How to Bathe a Dog That Hates Water FAQs:
1. What are the Best Dog Shampoos?
A dog-specific product should be unscented or lightly scented instead of scented.
2. How Can I Prevent My Dog From falling in the Bath?
Place a mat or towel in the tub to prevent your puppy from falling while bathing.
3. Can I use a hair dryer to dry my dog?
Human hair dryers can harm pets. Too high a temperature can burn a dog’s skin since it has thinner skin than humans. You should use a dryer with a lower temperature when blow-drying your dog’s coat.
4. How do groomers dry?
It is convenient for groomers to use cage dryers. If a groomer has a busy schedule, they can use cage dryers to partially dry dogs while bathing, prepping, cleaning, and grooming other dogs.
5. is it OK to let your dog air dry?
It would be best if you didn’t let your dog air dry while some pet owners do so. You can risk your dog getting fungus growing between his paw pads and where his legs meet his torso when you let him air dry. You should not let your dog air dry after a bath if they have long hair.
Conclusion
Bathing your fur baby can be tiring, I know. But I can assure you that those above tips will help you out.
