Step 6: Avoid Openings Around the Face
No one wants soap in their eyes, including your puppy. Even tearless shampoos can irritate your dog’s eyes and you’ll also need to be careful around the ears, nose, and mouth.
“Dogs’ ear canals are shaped like an L,” says Bishop-Jenkins. “If water gets down there, it gets trapped and causes ear infections.”
She advises using minimal product around the face. Also, pinching the base of the ear shut using your thumb and forefinger when cleaning the face.
Step 2: Provide Treats and Cuddles
Bishop-Jenkins encourages her clients to start bathing their puppies as young as eight weeks old, as it establishes a life-long routine. But take it one step at a time. A puppy’s first visit to the groomer often doesn’t even consist of bathing. It simply serves to teach them that grooming isn’t scary.
“We let the puppy run loose,” she explains. “We put them up on the table, put on a loud clipper, and run a light brush over them. There’s lots of treats, swaddling, and cuddling. We make them feel safe.”
How Often To Bathe A Puppy
After bathing your puppy for the first time, you can continue to bathe them whenever they get smelly and dirty.
Ideally, you should bathe your puppy once a month, or every two months if they spend a lot of time indoors and aren’t dirty.
Of course, if your pup rolls in the mud or doggy poop, you can bathe them more often, just don’t overdo it.
Frequent baths can strip the skin of its protective layer, resulting in dry skin and a dull-looking coat.
If your puppy has dry and sensitive skin, you should wait longer between baths and only use a natural puppy shampoo with moisturizing properties.
On the other hand, if your puppy has skin infections or parasites you may need to bathe them more often with a medicated dog shampoo.
Depending on the type of skin condition, you will probably have to bathe your puppy once a week at least, for treatment to be effective.
If your puppy has a skin condition like dermatitis, you should consult your veterinarian and follow their advice. Don’t attempt to diagnose and treat your puppy at home, since you can make matters even worse.
And if you have any concerns about how often and when can you give a puppy a bath, talk with your veterinarian or a professional dog groomer.
They will be able to tell you how often to bathe a puppy based on their coat type, age, and potential skin problems.
