Skip to content “Cleanliness is the key to health!” This motto applies to dogs as well. Timely washing helps to keep the skin and coat clean, which helps to reduce the negative impact of the environment on your pet, especially if you live in the city. In addition, regular hygiene and water procedures can help reduce the manifestation of allergic reactions in households to dog hair, and a clean apartment is a very pleasant bonus. But how do you train your puppy to swim? In this article, you will find a detailed answer to this question.
When You Can Buy A Puppy For The First Time
The time of the first water procedures is determined based on the age and characteristics of the initial stage of the pet’s life. Experts recommend not bathing puppies until they are 2-3 months old.
- If you have adopted a puppy at the age of 3 months, which has received all the vaccinations, then the pet is ready for bathing. However, breeders often bathe the puppy themselves just before handing it over to the owner to reduce stress on the pet in the new home. In the future, he must necessarily wash his paws with clean water after a walk, and in dirty and rainy weather, use a special shampoo for paws.
- If you took a puppy from the street, then you need to redeem it immediately, regardless of age, in order to get rid of possible severe contamination of the coat. You will also need funds for fleas and other ectoparasites. Of course, when bathing, you must follow all the rules so that the puppy does not catch a cold, does not flood his ears with water and does not get scared.
Remember that the puppy is weakened after vaccination and can be bathed in its entirety after about 14 days. If there is an urgent need for washing, it is better to wipe the contaminated area with a wet sponge. You can wash your face, paws and anal area after vaccination. The time interval after bathing and before vaccination should be 2-3 days.
Please note that for different breeds, the process and frequency of washing, the use of special products can vary greatly. For example, dogs with pronounced folds on the skin (pugs, sharpei) are recommended to be regularly wiped with a damp and then dry towel. Husky and other northern dogs that do not participate in exhibitions, it is advisable to bathe only during the molting period, and miniature Yorkies and some other decorative dogs after six months can be washed as needed using shampoo and balm. Dogs that are kept outdoors are washed in winter only in case of very strong pollution and they are kept in a heated room for 24 hours after bathing.
Preparing For The First Bath
To make your bathing experience easy and stress-free, follow these tips.
- Washing is best done in the evening after a walk.
- A towel or rubberized mat should be placed on the bottom of the tub or basin so that the puppy does not slip its paws and is not afraid.
- It is necessary to clarify in advance what features of bathing are for your pet’s breed (for example, the use of balm).
Before the procedure, prepare everything you need:
- pelvis, if you bathe the puppy outside the bath;
- rubberized mat or towel pad;
- shampoo intended for puppies;
- two clean towels;
- delicacy.
You should be especially careful when buying shampoo. For sensitive and delicate skin of puppies, you need to choose products with a delicate composition. For example, “Gentle” pet shampoo with aloe vera, lanolin and chitosan (natural conditioner). It lathers well, helps prevent excessive degreasing of the skin and the appearance of dandruff, makes the coat shiny.
For animals with long, thick hair, you will also need a conditioner or balm, preferably from the same series as the shampoo. Read the instructions carefully and choose the right products for your pet’s coat.
Remember, shampoo should not be used unnecessarily. The puppy’s skin and coat are protected by a natural lubricant produced by the skin glands. Excessively frequent washing can cause an increased release of lubricant, accompanied by a harsher and more unpleasant smell from the dog. Bathing with water without detergents does not compromise the natural protection of the skin.
Tips for training your puppy to bath
For the first time, do not put your pet directly into the water – it may get scared. Let it get used to the bathtub, shower or basin in which you are going to wash it a little. Talk to your dog in a calm, confident voice and stroke it.
When your puppy is comfortable, start evenly dampening his coat with a ladle or shower head. Monitor the temperature of the water. Soak the coat liberally, massaging the water in to make sure it reaches the skin, and do not let the water get into the ears and eyes.
Lather a little shampoo in the palms of your hands and apply to the coat. If you are using a concentrate shampoo, dilute it with the recommended amount of warm water. Massage lightly and wash off after 1-3 minutes. Do not feel sorry for water – the product must be completely washed out of the wool to a slight squeak. Monitor your dog’s reaction and do not unnecessarily delay water treatments. If the puppy is very fluffy or too dirty, it is advisable to reapply the shampoo twice.
After washing, wrap the puppy in a towel and gently blot the coat, removing most of the moisture. Treat your pet with a treat – this will help consolidate the positive emotions from bathing. Then dry the coat with a second towel or a hair dryer with adjustable mode. It is better to accustom the puppy to a hairdryer right away so that later he is not afraid of noise and air currents. Make sure that your pet is not in a draft after bathing.
Follow these simple instructions and it will be easy and enjoyable to train your puppy to bathe. You can also seek advice from experienced breeders or veterinarians. They will advise you on how to properly bathe your pet based on breed, age and health conditions.
