If you have a dog who hates being bathed, you may find comfort in knowing that you are not the only one in this situation. Here are some tips for a stress-free canine bath.
There are many other dog owners who face the same dread each time they must bathe their dogs. In fact, there are more dogs who are afraid of bath time than those who enjoy it.
Fortunately, there are ways to make bath time less stressful for you and your dog. It may be easier to deal with a puppy’s fear of the unknown than with an older dog’s fear due to a prior bad experience. But, with time and patience, both can be overcome.
Tips for A Stress-free Canine Bath
But there is a caveat. The effectiveness of these tips depends on how fearful your dog is of bathing and how committed you are to dealing with the problem.
Put simply, an adult dog that’s been anxious about bathing for most of their life will be more challenging to handle come bath time than a young pup who has yet to develop a bathing phobia.
To read more about phobias and fears, go here:https://excellentdogsclub.com/some-common-fears-and-phobias-of-dogs/
Nonetheless, these tips for a stress-free canine bath are a good way to start. And, with patience and determination, you can make bathing much more pleasant for both of you.
Be Prepared with all the Essentials
Your dog will be more stressed if they see you scrambling around for bathing supplies and what-not. Having prepared all the bathing essentials beforehand is critical to a positive experience.
Things you need include dog shampoo, rinsing cup, treats, toys, and towels. Once you have everything you need in place, come bath time, you can focus more on your dog’s bathing experience.
Have the Tub Filled Prior to Getting Your Dog In
Dogs who are fearful of bath time can easily get stressed out by the sound of running water. With this in mind, be prepared.
Before you invite them into the bathroom, make sure you have already filled the tub with water that is comfortably warm. Water that’s too cold won’t help you get your dog to appreciate bathing.
Opt for a Nonslip Tub
If bathing your dog involves lots of scrambling around, the importance of a nonslip tub cannot be overstated. It will make bathing more comfortable for both you and your dog.
Most importantly, it could save you from potential bath-time accidents. As an added precaution, you may wish to pad your tub floor non-slip materials like thick towels or a floor mat.
Use a Rinsing Cup
Most dogs who are averse to bathing are also frightened by shower-heads and faucets. Both of these are often noisy and, sometimes, uncontrollable.
Since your dog has to be rinsed off with fresh water, an alternative to these is required. For this purpose, a lot of dog owners find that a rinsing cup works very well.
The rinsing cup is less imposing and quiet to use. It also gives you more control in rinsing your pup’s most delicate parts such as their ears and eyes.
Be Gentle Throughout
The only way to regain your dog’s confidence in the bathtub and running water is by ensuring that when they do get in the tub, their experience is no less than pleasant. With this in mind, you must be gentle with your dog throughout the bath-time.
If you are in a hurry to do some other errand or chore, it is better to reschedule the bath to some other time. The reason being this: rushed bath time can prove to be stressful for your dog.
Being rushed can compromise their safety and protection. Try using these tips for a stress-free canine bath and make tub time both safe and fun.
Photos courtesy of my photo album and Pixabay
