How come for many dog owners giving their dog a bath is a constant battle between man and beast? It has reached the point where my dog leaves the room whenever the water is running in the kitchen sink because he doesn’t even want to think about a bath. So as a responsible pet owner, how do you go about breaking this annoying habit? I found that the trick is to start the bath routine nice and slow and then get the dog used to a regular bath time habit.

Here are a few easy tips to give you a good start:

Bath time needs to be known with your dog. As the saying goes - Familiarity breeds acquaintance, and this is true in regards to the sights, sounds, and smells of a bath. For a puppy’s first bath, pick an easy and comfortable location. I use a sink for my smaller dog but an extra shower can work for larger canines. Once you have chosen a location, now you can gradually introduce the puppy to the new bath spot.

Now that the puppy is comfortable with the bath location, you should now begin establishing a pre-bath routine. This involves going through the regular bath time activities minus the actual bath, such as giving the dog’s fur a good brushing to remove any dust, dirt or matted hair. The familiarity of the brushing lets the puppy know that he or she will be getting a bath.

I like to have everything at arms length before the bath begins. Think of your past experiences in trying to find those important dog supplies like brushes and shampoos when the dog is already wet and probably grumpy. It often makes for a messy experience with the dog trying to escape. The dog also needs the assurance of your presence during the bath and can become scared when you leave the room looking for a towel.

Now it is important to remember that your dog shouldn’t be bathed everyday. This causes their fur to become dry due to a loss of its natural oils. I recommend waiting to give your dog a bath only when you notice its coat becoming greasy and dirty.

Like us, our dogs prefer warm to hot or cold water. Check the temperature of the water before placing your dog in it. If you think the water is good enough for you to take a bath in, then it should be fine for your dog.