How to bathe a puppy?

March 04, 2021

Did you adopt a puppy? Congrats! Surely you enjoy your afternoons playing with him, you have already bought the essentials for your dog, and you can't help but smile when you look at your furry friend. However, you also have many doubts, such as how to bathe a puppy.

Calm down. It's normal for you to feel like you have more questions than answers. After all, having a dog at home is like being a parent for the first time.

When can you bathe a puppy?

The truth is that the puppy's first bath is a topic that generates controversy.

While some specialists argue that it should not be carried out before your furry friend finishes his first round of vaccination (around his three months), others point out that a puppy older than 8 weeks is ready to experience his first bath, as long as it is short, and you dry him well afterward.

Our advice? Consult with your trusted vet. No one is better than him to guide you and give you an informed opinion.

How often should you bathe your puppy?

That depends on each breed... and each particular situation.

If your puppy lives in the garden and likes to roll in the dirt every day, he will surely need a bath more often than a puppy that lives in an apartment. In general, it's recommended a monthly bath.

Of course, some breeds need more grooming than others, as their fur gets more oily.

How to give a puppy a bath

The first step will be to choose where you are going to bathe your puppy. If he's a small breed, you won't have much of a problem. Now, if he is a Saint Bernard or a Dogue de Bordeaux, the options will be more limited even if he is a puppy.

Then, prepare everything you need for the bath; that is, the special puppy shampoo and conditioner, two washcloths for his face, a towel, a brush, and a canine hairdryer ... or yours.

Now, let's see the step by step that answers your question: how to bathe a puppy?

Place your puppy in the designated place for his bath.
Take some shampoo and place it in a bowl with water; this way, you dilute it a bit.
Wet your dog with warm water, but be careful that he does not burn, and try not to wet his ears.
Take some shampoo with your hand and place it on your friend's fur. Do not touch his face.
Rinse well.
Take another bit of shampoo and lather your puppy again to make sure there is no sticky dirt.
Place the conditioner and let it act.
Rinse your puppy very well so that there are no traces of shampoo or conditioner.
Dip a washcloth in the soapy water and gently wipe it over your puppy's face, taking special care not to get soap in his eyes.
Wet the other washcloth and rinse his face gently.
Dry your dog with a towel.
Use the hairdryer on medium or low heat to dry his fur. While you dry him, brush his fur off. Your puppy is ready for a picture!