If your dog loves the mud, it can be beyond frustrating when they also hate the bath. The good news is: training your puppy to have a positive association with the tub is much easier when you use these tips. That means you can actually enjoy your dog’s excitement over a mud puddle without it filling you with dread!

First off, imagine what a bath must be like from your puppy’s perspective:

“Why is my human doing this to me?!” Trust us, they won’t make the assumption that it’s because their fur is dirty. They may even wonder if your intentions are good. Since we can’t explain it to them in English, it’s crucial that we show our pups that the bath is perfectly safe, and that they can trust us. Consistency and patience are the key!

Here are our top tips:

Take it slow

Begin by allowing your dog to explore the bathroom or bathing area before their actual bath. You can even feed them in there, or play with them in the room if you’d like.

Let them sniff around and get used to the surroundings. Familiarity with the space itself helps them feel secure later.

Introduce water gradually

The best way to start is by simply wetting your dog’s paws. From there, you can gradually work your way up! Use a gentle stream of water—like a handheld shower head, or even pouring water from a cup—while speaking to your dog in a calm voice. They’ll be taking cues from you the whole time, so if you are showing stress, they will feel stress.

Make it positive

Approach your dog calmly and confidently, avoiding any sudden movements or loud noises.

Encourage your dog with lots of praise, and give them lots of gentle pats before, during, and after the bath.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: love and praise from you is the best reward in their eyes!

Photo by Elina Volkova

Photo by Kyle Bushnell

Being prepared helps you both!

Choose dog-friendly products

Would you use just any shampoo on your own hair? Probably not. Make sure you choose shampoo that’s not only dog-friendly, but also appropriate for your pup’s skin and fur types.

Another reason to keep yourself and your pup calm: it’s important to be mindful of their eyes, ears, and nose while you lather them up.

Support your pup

Most dogs will feel more secure with a non-slip mat in the bottom of the tub, or else a towel under their feet.

If your dog is nervous, you can use a leash to support them gently and prevent them from slipping.

Set things up before you begin

Check that you have everything you might need in or near the tub before you go to collect your pup. Make sure your shampoo is nearby, the mat is already in place, and that towels are at the ready for drying them off afterward.

Keep that praise coming!

No matter what, end things on a positive note

Once the bath is over, towel dry your dog thoroughly.

Reward them with lots of praise and their favourite things after the bath. The happier it can be, the better!

Keep them indoors, if possible, until they are fully dry. That wet fur picks up everything!

Remember: consistency is key. By gradually introducing your dog to the positive side of bath time, they should become more comfortable with the process over time, making life easier for everyone.

If your dog has been showing signs of anxiety or fear around bath time, your local Bark Busters Trainer would be happy to help!