Introducing your new puppy to grooming and bathing is all about building their confidence. They need to know that you will handle them gently and that the process won’t hurt. The first experiences with grooming and bathing must be as positive as possible, as they can set a pattern for the future, which may be difficult to correct.
You can begin a gentle grooming routine once your puppy has settled into the household. Start with a soft brush and only brush for a few minutes at a time. With one hand on him for contact, show him the brush and let him sniff and investigate it. Only then can you begin brushing. Give your puppy treats during the brushing process to create a positive experience.
NOTE: If your puppy bites the brush, ignore them, wait for them to stop and then give them a treat when you are brushing them normally again. Try not to pull the brush away when your puppy bites, as this can make the activity into a game for your youngster.
Once the puppy is used to the action of being brushed, you can increase the length of the session and then introduce a brush and comb that suits their type of coat. As his confidence grows, you can start a more in-depth grooming routine.
NOTE: Many dogs resist having their legs and feet brushed, so get your puppy used to these areas being handled by going over the legs and feet with just your hands before introducing the brush. Other tricky areas include the tummy, behind the ear and in the armpits. If your puppy is sensitive in these areas, start with your hand and then move on to the brush.
Bathtime
Bathing again requires small steps to create confidence and a feeling of safety. If your puppy is small, consider using a large container, perhaps a baby bath or a large hand wash basin. If you have a larger breed, then you will probably need to use the bath, so put a non-slip mat in the base. Ideally, work with a second person to keep the dog in place.
Initially, let the water touch your dog’s feet so they understand that water is involved in the process. If they tolerate this easily, you can move on to the next step, but you may need to put your dog in the container or bath and just let them stand in the water for the first few times. You can give treats during this part of the process to build their confidence.
The next step is to use a jug to pour warm water over the coat. Start this process away from the face and gradually work towards the head. We would not recommend using the shower head as a starting point, as many dogs find this frightening. A jug is a much less intimidating way to build your new puppy’s confidence in handling bathing.
Only introduce shampoo on your puppy’s second or third introduction to the bath to avoid complete sensory overwhelm. After applying the shampoo, again starting away from the face, ensure you rinse it all out. The face can be washed with shampoo on a facecloth.
Once your puppy is very comfortable with this process, you can progress to using the shower head, but always be careful to avoid getting shampoo in the eyes. If you do, rinse the eyes clean with water.
NOTE: Try to avoid getting water in the ear canal by placing your thumb across the opening when applying water to the area. This shouldn’t be such an issue if your puppy has droopy ears as the ears tend to keep the ear canal covered.
Final thoughts
These ‘firsts’ can be traumatic for puppies if not introduced slowly and carefully. Taking the time when your puppy is young to familiarise them with bathing and grooming in a positive way is the best way to set them up for a future of easy handling.
