How to Make a Dog Bath More Fun for Fido

Some dogs love them, while others hate them! The prospect of a bath can send some dogs into a frenzy and make the task uncomfortable for both you and your dog. What if there were some simple steps you could take to make dog bath time more bearable for you and your dog? Actually, there are! Here are some suggestions for making a dog bath easier for you and your canine friend:

1.Give your dog's bath outdoors in the summer.

The warm, summer months provide a great opportunity for you to give your dog an outdoor bath. Dogs find baths in the open air to be much more enjoyable. Why not use a kiddy pool and the hose to give your dog a cool and refreshing scrub? He'll think of it more as playtime rather than bath time. Be sure to place a towel in the bottom of the kiddy pool to keep your dog from slipping and sliding.

2. Add a bath mat to your bathtub.

If you'll be bathing your dog indoors, add a rubber mat to the floor of the bathtub to prevent your dog from sliding. This can be a source of anxiety for your dog and will cause your dog to avoid the bathtub. He'll feel much more secure if he has a non non slick surface that allow him to stand securely.

3. Turn bath time into spa time.

Turn your bathtub into a dog spa by giving your dog gentle, soothing massages during their bath. With this kind of treatment, I'll bet your dog will look forward to his next scheduled dog bath! There are even businesses built around this idea. For further information read this article.

4. Coddle your dog with soothing music.

Play some soothing music for your dog during bath time. This will help to calm and soothe him during the bath process.

5. Protect your dog's ears from water.

Dogs don't like the sensation of water in their ears. Gently insert a cotton ball into each ear before getting your dog wet. This will help to reduce their anxiety during bath time.

6. Choose a gentle, non irritating shampoo.

Many dog shampoos on the market are chemical based and very irritating to the skin and eyes. Choose an all natural, non irritating dog shampoo and avoid getting it near your dog's eyes if at all possible.

7. Adjust the water temperature.

Use lukewarm water when bathing your dog. Cold water is too shocking and uncomfortable for your dog and you don't want to risk burns by having the water temperature too high. The water you use should be slightly warm to the touch.

8. Praise your dog for a job well done!

Once your dog bath is complete, lavish your dog with praise for a job well done! You might want to consider giving your dog a small treat such as a dog cookie at the completion of the bath. Your dog will come to associate bath time with treats and kind words!

As you can see, dog bath time can be made easy for you and your dog by taking a few simple steps to make your dog more comfortable. Happy bathing!