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Bathing your dog is a necessary part of pet parenthood. But it can be daunting for both new and experienced pet parents, especially if your dog has a fear of washing, a tricky coat type, or sensitive puppy skin.
To help you learn the best ways to wash, rinse, and dry your dog, we spoke with Kim Kier, PGC, CCE, MGBS, owner and fear-free certified groomer of Little Barks Boutique. We’ll cover everything from gathering the necessary bathing supplies, to creating a calm environment for bath time, to washing a fearful pup.
Supplies for Giving Your Dog a Bath
Before you start bathing your dog, you need to make sure you have all of the right supplies. Here’s a checklist of what you’ll need:
- Brush
- Dog-safe shampoo (make sure to carefully read the instructions on your dog shampoo bottle before using)
- Dog-safe conditioner (if you have a long-haired breed)
- Cotton balls
- Towels
- Treats
- Dog shower attachment (optional)
- Dog-safe blow dryer (optional)
- Detangling spray (optional)
Where To Bathe Your Dog
Depending on your pup’s age and size, there are several different places you can wash them.
- The bathtub or shower is a great option for larger dogs. To prevent your dog’s hair from clogging the drain, you can put a sponge or hair catcher over it.
- The kitchen sink is ideal for smaller dogs and puppies.
- The yard is a good solution if you don’t have enough space in your home. When bathing your dog outside, just make sure you’re in a safe and secure spot where your dog can’t escape.
- Self-serve dog washing stations are available at many pet supply stores. For a small fee, you get access to their stations and supplies.
How To Bathe Your Dog Step by Step
Once you’ve gathered all of your supplies and picked a location for bath time, you’re ready to get your hands (and paws) dirty. Here’s a step by step guide on how to bathe your dog.
- Brush your dog to remove any mats or debris.
- If you’re inside, place your dog in the tub. If you’re outside, attach your dog to something secure with a leash or grooming loop.
- Place the cotton balls in your dog’s ears to avoid getting water in them. Make sure you praise, comfort, or reward your dog while you do this.
- Check to make sure the water temperature is lukewarm before getting your dog wet. If the water is too cold or too hot, it can irritate your dog’s skin.
- Carefully soak your dog’s coat. According to Kier, it’s important to be thorough with the soaking step—water is the component that makes the shampoo and conditioner do their job. Avoid getting water in your dog’s eyes or ears, as damp ears can lead to infections and bacteria growth.
- Begin applying the dog shampoo, starting at the top of the head and behind the ears first, being mindful to not get it in your dog’s eyes. Apply shampoo to the rest of your dog’s body in this order: feet, belly, legs, body, and bottom. “We want to do their bottoms last to avoid any bacteria being spread to the rest of the dog’s skin,” Kier recommends.
- Rinse your dog’s coat thoroughly with lukewarm water—and then rinse it again. “I recommend rinsing your dog three to five times,” says Kier. “Yes, it may seem like a lot, but the number one reason a dog gets itchy after a bath is from shampoo left on the skin.”
- Apply conditioner, following the same instructions as you did for the shampoo (don’t forget to rinse and rinse again!).
- Once you’ve washed off all of the conditioner, use a large, warm towel to dry your dog, or use a dog blow dryer with a cooler temperature setting to get your dog dry and fluffy. If you use a blow dryer, Kier says to start with small sections and dry them completely before moving on to the next area. No matter your dog’s coat type, it’s important to dry their coat thoroughly, as Kier says wet skin can cause issues like hot spots, itching, and matting.
- Reward your dog with their favorite treat or toy.
- Brush your dog again when they’re completely dry. This will prevent any knots or mats from forming.
And just like that, your pup is clean. Unlike people, dogs don’t need daily baths, so how often you bathe your dog will depend on their coat type, health, and lifestyle. If you’re unsure how often you should bathe your dog, you can also ask your veterinarian.
Spray shower attachments can make it easy to rinse your dog quickly. Artem Zakharov via iStock
How To Bathe a Puppy
Bathing a full-grown dog is one thing, but trying to bathe a squirmy, energetic puppy is a whole other challenge. First, remember not to give a puppy a bath before eight weeks old, since they have trouble regulating their body temperature. Until they’re old enough, a warm, wet cloth will do.
Once they’re old enough, you can wash them gently with puppy-specific shampoo in the sink or a shallow bathtub every three to four weeks.
You can make your puppy’s bath easier by familiarizing them with the tools ahead of time. Run a brush through their fur, let them smell the shampoo, or turn on the blow dryer, making sure to cuddle or praise them so they start to associate those tools with positive rewards. A food toy can make the process more fun.
How To Bathe Special Coats
The type of dog shampoo you use and how often you bathe your dog will vary depending on your dog’s breed, coat type, age, and health. Below are a few general guidelines:
Long-haired dogs should be brushed thoroughly before bath time to remove dead hair and debris and to prevent matting once their fur is wet. You should also consider using a de-tangling spray and comb it through your dog’s coat before bathing them.
Double-coated dogs typically don’t need baths as frequently as short-haired dogs, but they do require an extra amount of brushing. If you have a double-coated dog, you might want to consider using a deshedding shampoo, which uses oils to soften dead hair and allows it to fall off.
White dogs can be especially difficult to keep clean, as dirt is typically more visible on their bright and shiny coats. To keep your dog’s white coat extra radiant, consider using a whitening shampoo.
Dogs with skin allergies should be soaked in a hypoallergenic or dandruff shampoo for around 10 minutes before rinsing it off. This will help soothe your dog’s skin.
Dogs with fungal infections will likely need a medicated bath with antifungal shampoo, but make sure you check with a veterinarian first. Your vet can help you find the right shampoo to eliminate the skin infection.
How To Bathe Really Dirty Dogs
Muddy dogs can be brushed, wiped down with a warm washcloth, or hosed down with lukewarm water before the mud dries. If your dog rolled in something even stickier or nastier, a full-on bath with dog shampoo and conditioner might be the best solution.
Dogs with matted fur might not benefit from a bath, as water can make the mats even tighter since they easily soak up moisture. Depending on how severe the matting is, you might be able to soften the mats with thick conditioner and gently run a comb through them to break them apart. If you’re ever unsure what to do, it’s best to check with your veterinarian or a professional groomer first.
Dogs that have been sprayed by a skunk (it happens more often than you might think!) should be taken to the vet if they were sprayed in the face and are experiencing red or puffy eyes, vomiting, or excessive drooling. If your dog is smelly but otherwise behaving normally, it’s safe to give them a bath with a de-skunking shampoo.
If you don’t have any on hand, you can use what you have at home and mix 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of liquid dishwashing soap together and rub it on your dog. Remember to put on some rubber gloves to protect your own skin. After you’ve rubbed the mixture into your dog’s fur, rinse them with water, then scrub them down with regular dog shampoo and rinse them thoroughly several more times.
Dogs that have recently had surgery shouldn’t be bathed until their vet permits it. In fact, most vets will require a wait of about 10-14 days before your dog can even get wet. Water can lead to complications like loose stitches or contamination, but there are other ways you can keep your dog clean, like wiping them down with a wet washcloth (avoiding the surgical area), using dog cleaning wipes, or using a cotton ball dipped in water to remove any dirt from the surgical area.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what bath products to use on your dog and when to use them:
| What to Use | When to Use It |
| De-tangling spray | Helpful for long-haired dogs |
| Conditioner | Helpful for all dogs, especially long-haired dogs and dogs with matted fur |
| Deshedding shampoo | Helpful for dogs with double coats |
| Whitening shampoo | Helpful for dogs that are primarily white |
| Hypoallergenic and/or dandruff shampoo | Helpful for dogs with skin allergies or sensitive skin |
| Antifungal shampoo | Helpful for dogs with fungal infections, but should be approved by a vet before using |
| De-skunking shampoo
Home remedy of 1 quart of 3-% hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of liquid dishwashing soap |
Helpful for dogs that have been sprayed by a skunk |
| Dog cleaning wipes
Warm washcloth |
Can be used in replacement of a bath when your dog is a little muddy, when your dog has recently had surgery, or in between baths to keep your dog fresh and clean |
How To Bathe a Scared Dog
There are many reasons why your dog might be afraid of baths. For example, the noises, smells, and sensations might be entirely new to them, which can trigger their anxiety. They might also associate water and baths with negative memories, like slipping in the tub or developing a skin irritation from scalding water.
If your dog already hates bath time, don’t worry—there are several ways to make bath time more enjoyable or to keep them clean for longer periods between baths.
Give your dog a distraction
Sometimes all your dog needs is something else to focus on, like a lick mat covered in dog-safe peanut butter or a water-specific toy. This positive reinforcement method can help ease their fears and create a more fun environment for your dog.
Use a cup or bucket to rinse
For some dogs, the sound of rushing water from a hose, shower head, or faucet might be scary. Instead, use a cup or a bucket to gently and slowly pour water over your dog, rewarding them as you go.
Use a non-slip bath mat
Kiers says one of the biggest reasons dogs are fearful of baths is from slipping or falling in the tub. “This leads to fear and anxiety associated with the bathing process,” she says.
To make your dog feel more sure on their feet, you can place a non-slip mat at the bottom of the tub.
Use dry shampoo or pet wipes to extend time between baths
To minimize how often you need to bathe your dog, you can try dry shampoo or pet wipes. These products are especially helpful for dogs with water anxiety, as they offer a stress-free way to freshen up your furry friend.
What If Your Dog Is Too Scared To Bathe?
Your dog should feel safe and secure during bath time, so it’s important to look for signs of distress so you’ll know when to stop. Obvious signs of stress might look like:
- Extreme reluctance to go into the bathing area
- Excessive whining
- Breathing heavily due to panic
If your dog exhibits any of these behaviors, you should stop bathing them to prevent further negative associations with water and bath time.
A visit to your vet is your next step: they can help you work out a plan, whether that’s mild sedatives, positive training with a veterinary behaviorist, or an alternative way to get clean that works for your particular pup.
When To See a Professional Groomer
Professional dog groomers are trained to properly bathe dogs of all shapes and sizes. Ирина Мещерякова via iStock
If bathing your dog sounds overwhelming, you might want to consider seeing a professional groomer. Because groomers have extensive knowledge of different dog breeds and behaviors, you can trust them to make your dog look and feel their best.
According to Kier, all dogs are good candidates for professional grooming. “For example, even though short-haired breeds seem low-maintenance, they still require 40% oil replenishment to their coats to keep the skin and coat healthy,” she says. “A professional groomer with training in different dog coats will replenish the coat during each grooming session.”
If you have a dog with a high-maintenance coat, Kier strongly recommends taking them to a professional groomer. “I don’t recommend bathing at home for dogs like Doodles, Poodles, and Bichon Frises,” she says.
If your dog hates baths or is fearful of baths, a groomer might be able to help, but Kier recommends finding someone who has training in other areas besides grooming—like low-stress dog handling and fear-free methods. “This additional education gives the groomer insights to body language and signs of anxiety and stress,” she says. “With training, patience, time, and a team effort between the dog, the dog’s parent, and the professional groomer, a dog can overcome their fear of baths.”
