Does your furry friend run in the other direction when it is time to give him a bath? Not to worry. Your doggie isn’t the first canine to dislike this necessary hygienic routine. With that being said, there are a few different steps you can take to make bath time more enjoyable for both you and your dog.
Allow Your Dog’s Bath to Be Indoors
If you usually use the water in your garden hose to give your dog a bath, you may be unintentionally making your dog excessively uncomfortable. Even on a hot day, the water inside of the hose can be a bone-chilling cold temperature.
Imagine how wonderfully different it is going to be for your dog to receive his bath inside of a shower stall or bathtub. You can adjust the water to the perfect temperature for your dog. You won’t have to worry about putting your dog out on a leash either. Just close the bathroom door and you are good to go.
Provide Traction on the Bottom of the Tub
Another reason why your dog may dislike getting a bath is that he may feel unsteady when he stands in your tub or shower. To remedy this, simply place a towel or non-slip bath mat down on the floor before placing your dog inside. Doing this may stop your dog from slipping and falling and will help him to feel more secure.
Shift Your Dog’s Focus
If at all possible, bring your dog’s focus to anything other than you scrubbing him down. For example, try giving him a tasty treat like peanut butter that you can smear on the side of the tub. He can spend his time licking it away while you get the job done.
Cut Down on the Noise
Experts agree that one of the reasons why many dogs don’t like to take a bath is that they become afraid of the noise. The sound of the water constantly running through the faucet or showerhead can become unsettling to your canine. As an alternative, you may want to try filling a couple of buckets with water and using them to rinse off your dog as needed.
Only Use Shampoo Designed for Dogs
Never bathe your dog with human shampoo or body soap, no matter how good you think they smell. Keep in mind that your dog’s nose is much stronger than yours and therefore is going to be overly sensitive to perfumed aromas. Stick with shampoo that is designed just for dogs, which should only have a light scent or none at all.
Decide to Let the Professionals Handle the Job
Even after you try all of these things, is giving your dog a bath still stressing you out? There is definitely something to be said about allowing a professional to take care of the job for you. An experienced dog groomer will know just what to do to assuage your dog’s fears. When your dog is finished, your canine will walk out smelling clean and looking fresh.