When we get a puppy home, we are excited and we pamper him/her! We like to spend time playing and fussing over our pet! Bathing our dog is also a part of taking care. But this can be difficult for most pet owners because dogs do not like to be bathed.
Bathing your dog is an important part of pet care and should be done in a manner that the dog does not get hassled by it. Bath helps remove loose hair, dirt, and debris from the coat of your dog. This keeps the coat of your dog healthy and shiny.
Here’s how you can make bathing a pleasant experience for your dog:
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Step 1: Make your Dog Comfortable with your Touch:
Train your puppy or dog to be comfortable with your touch by patting and stroking different parts of his body. You can encourage your pet to stay calm by rewarding him with treats for good behavior. If your dog learns to stay calm when you stroke different parts of his body, he will not react too violently when you touch him when bathing him.
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Step 2: Train your Dog to Associate Bath Time with Positive Things:
When you are introducing your dog to bathing, go about it slowly. Soothe your dog with positive words before the bath. Make sure to reward him for staying calm with treats. These things will make your dog associate bathing with positive experience.
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Step 3: Introduce your Dog Bath Related Items in Advance:
Familiarize your dog with bath related items like towels, buckets, tub, hoses, etc. You can also get him used to the bathtub by making him get into one even when not bathing him. Reward him for staying calm in the tub.
Dogs get uncomfortable at the sight and sound of running water. You can introduce running water to him by turning on hose or tap own low flow when your dog is around. You can expose your dog to running water frequently so that he gets accustomed to it.
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Step 4: Involve your Dog in Physical Activity before Bath:
If your dog is physically tired, he will not have the energy to resist you and try to get away when you bathe him. You can try taking him for a long walk before his bath or play some game that requires him to expend his energy.
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Step 5: Check your Dog’s Mood Before Bath:
Even after preparing your dog in different ways for bath, make sure that your dog is not upset or irritated for some reason before the bath. If your dog is not in the right mental frame, you will find it difficult to keep him calm during the bath.
These are some tips that can make bathing the dog a pleasant experience for the dog and the pet owner. If you find it difficult you could consider hiring professionals for bathing your dog.
San Antonio Spay and Neuter Clinic is a leading wellness cleaning for pets. A team of expert veterinary doctors take care of all aspects of your pet’s health and well-being.