You may notice that despite your best intentions and safeguards, your puppy will stand in his food when he eats. This is a very normal thing for him to do because he is still learning how to eat. Don’t be discouraged, he will grow out of this phase. Just clean him up with a warm, wet washcloth as soon as he is finished with his meal. You do not need to use soap. Dry him off with towel or paper towel. This is a quick and easy way to handle most messes. However, you may occasionally need to bathe your puppy.

Some puppies naturally have no fear of water and enjoy their bath time. Others take longer to adjust. Go slowly and talk in soothing tones to help your pup cope with experience.

Before you Bathe your Puppy

Brush Your Pup Before the Bath Be careful not to skip this step. A complete brushing removes loosens matts and tangles and debris. This is especially important if you have a longhaired pup. Wet matts and tangles are much harder to comb out than dry ones and cause the puppy extra discomfort. Be sure to remove all mats as matted hair traps soapy residue next to the skin which then creates flaky, itchy areas.

Be sure to place cotton in the ears of your pup to help prevent water from going in.

Where to Bathe your Pup
Small breed pups are small enough to bathe in a sink or a dish pan. A larger breed puppy may need to be bathed in a bath tub or laundry tub.

The room you bathe your puppy in should also be warm and draft-free especially if you live in a northern climate in the winter.

Supplies
Where ever you bathe your puppy, assemble the things you will need first. You don’t want to scramble for things holding a dripping wet, shivering puppy! Assemble your supplies near the bathing before you get started.

You will need:

Shampoo
Cream Rinse
Towels
Hair Dryer
Ear swabs (for drying the ears)

Fill up the tub or sink with 4 or 5 inches of lukewarm or tepid water before you put your pup in the sink. This way, your pup is not frightened by the noise of running and splashing water. After washing, empty the soapy water before you rinse your pup. Use a spray hose only if it doesn't scare your puppy. After all, the first bath can be a fairly traumatic experience and you want your puppy to learn to enjoy bathing. Use only shampoo made specifically for dogs. A dog's skin is more delicate than human skin, and a harsh shampoo can make it dry and cause flaking and itching. Conditioners and detanglers work well if your puppy has a medium to long coat. Your veterinarian or groomer can recommend a brand.

Use warm water on low pressure and thoroughly wet the puppy. A sink sprayer is very handy and if you put it real close (touching) to the pups body it wont be quite as frightening for him. Then, apply shampoo and gently wash him. Avoid getting soap in his eyes. Don’t get water in his ears. Rinse thoroughly and repeat as necessary. Work quickly but efficiently. When finished, wrap him in a bath towel to soak up excess water. Carefully clean his ears with a cotton swab.

Dry him with a hair dryer but be sure you don’t get too close; they get hot! Brush backwards while drying and you will have a fluffy, clean puppy in no time!