Is your dog petrified of baths? Here we reveal why our allPaws pet shampoos are so good for dogs that are afraid bath time and share our tips on how to bathe a scared dog.
Why is my dog scared of baths?
Some dog breeds love water and others find swimming and bathing unnerving – others still will happily swim in the sea but are terrified of baths.
Unless they have had a specific negative experience in the bath – for example the water being too hot or too cold or if they have had a reaction to their dog shampoo – it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly why your dog is scared of baths.
Whatever the reason, a dog that is afraid of being washed may hide when they hear the bath being run, refuse to get in the tub or try to climb out when being bathed.
If your dog trembles at the thought of the bath, we have some top tips to share that can make bath time becomes a more pleasant event for you and your dog.
Best shampoo for dogs that are afraid of baths
Dogs are renowned for having an excellent sense of smell and what can be a pleasant perfume for humans can be a strange unnatural sensory experience for a dog.
If your dog is scent-sensitive, you can help to calm their senses by choosing an unfragranced pet shampoo.
AllPaws Sensitive Shampoo for dogs is made without any essential oils or artificial perfume, making it the ideal shampoo for dogs that dislike bath time and are ultra-sensitive to pet shampoos.
]
6 tips for keeping dogs calm at bathtime
MONITOR THEIR MOOD
Before you even run the bath, take a moment to assess your dog’s temperament. Are they exhausted from a long walk? Are they stressed? If your dog is very agitated, now is not the best time for a bath. Let them to rest and recover before braving bath time.
If your dog is in a lively mood and feeling energised or you have a young pup to wash, you might find that it is a challenge to keep them still whilst you bathe them.
In this instance, we recommend using a lick mat to preoccupy your pet whilst you wash their coat with our gentle, natural dog shampoo which foams effortlessly to make bath times quick and easy!
GIVE THEM SPACE
Always make sure the space you bath your dog in is suitable for their size. Big dogs can find a small bathroom environment distressing and little dogs may find the thought of being in a tub that is big enough for their human overwhelming.
On a warm day, you might want to use your outdoor space to wash your dog. This should be avoided in cooler weather as exposing pets’ skin to water in a cold, outdoor environment may make them shiver.
CHECK THE WATER TEMPERATURE
Whilst us humans love a hot bath that’s full to the brim with bubbles, dogs have simpler needs. Run the tap for a little while to get the water temperature to a gentle luke-warm level and always keep the bathplug out to minimise the risk of the water level rising too high.
PREPARE THE PET SHAMPOOS
Whilst you wait for the bathwater to reach the best temperature for your dog, line up their pet bath products and open the lids. This small prep-step will make it easier for you to access and dispense the shampoo without taking your eye of your pet for too long and means that you can make the bath experience quick and stress-free for you and your dog.
To make it easier to dispense our pet shampoos we’ve packaged allPaws pet shampoos in squeezy sugar cane plastic tubes. Simply flip the lid and squeeze to dispense the product effortlessly.
KEEP BATHTIME SIMPLE
To minimise your pets’ distress, their bath time shouldn’t be a long experience. The best dog bath routine is a simple one, and most dogs will only need a quick wash.
If your dog has a long coat that is prone to becoming matted you may also wish to use conditioner for dogs or a pet coat detangler product.
BE AWARE OF THEIR SENSITIVE SPOTS
Dogs with sensitive skin have a good reason to dislike bath time as synthetic dog shampoo ingredients such as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and synthetic fragrance can irritate their skin.
We make our natural pet shampoos foam using calming Yucca plant actives and replace SLS with a milder foaming agent call Sodium Coco-Sulfate.
In addition to soothing delicate dog skin, Yucca extract has natural saponins which naturally boost the effectiveness of other foaming agents so that shampoos lather with the lightest of touches.
Our fragrance-free, SLS-free Sensitive Dog Shampoo is ideal for dogs with sensitive skin or who may be prone to allergies.
Drying and rewarding dogs after a bath
If your dog has done you proud and tackled bath time like a Cruft’s Supreme Champion, reward their good behaviour with an appropriate treat. Before they can play, they’ll need to dry off and you can help them to get drier quicker!
LET THEM SHAKE IT OFF
Dogs can have a love/hate relationship with water and even those that love bath time will shake their coat with ferocity after their bath. Dogs do this to shake off any excess water and, whilst this can mean that you get a soaking, this behaviour is natural and should be encouraged.
It’s natural for your dog to roll around after their bath and for them to lick their coat, they’re just trying to get dry and comfy in their own skin! You can also make the drying experience more pleasant for them by following our pet drying tips.
- Comb our tangles whilst the fur is still wet, using a detangling spray for matted fur
- Fetch a fresh towel and pat their fur dry
- If using a hairdryer, set it to a warm or cool setting and on its lowest strength. Keep it at a good distance from your dog’s fur and keep the airstream aimed away from their face.
LET THEM REAP THE REWARDS
Now it’s treat time! It may be a play with their favourite toy or a handful of their favourite snacks but some positive reinforcement from you as well is guaranteed to get their tail wagging again in no time.
For the ultimate treat, prep their bed! After a long soak in the bath us humans love nothing more than to snuggle up in our favourite comfy spot and relax, and pets are very similar. To make bath time less stressful for your dog, make sure they have a fresh clean bed to get into once they are clean and dry.
Do you need to find a dog shampoo for your bath-sensitive pup? Our team of animal-lovers can help you find the best pet grooming products and can be contacted on 01403 740350.
| If you wish to republish this content, please credit Green People as the original creator with a link to "How to keep dogs calm at bathtime". Please do not use an affiliate link. |
