Help! My dog hates baths. Use this guide to ease anxiety

It’s time for a dog bath. You have the towels ready and waiting, the doggy shampoo prepared to go, and everything you need at your fingertips. But, where’s your dog?

Is it hiding beneath the bed? Certainly yes, since your dog hates the bath, so believe it when experts say you aren’t alone. Shower time brings anxiety to dogs, and that’s the reason they prefer running away from it.

Your dog isn’t the first canine that hates bath time. But, now that you don’t want this to be the case, it is vital to make a few adjustments to the bath time. And, why not? You want to make the bathing experience pleasant and smooth for both of you.

Now that you’re wondering how to get through with it, here’s what you need to do:

Move the dog bath indoors

The reasons why outdoor baths freak your dog out are many. The very first one is the cold water, which is incredibly uncomfortable on a cold day. Also, note that the water can be too cold for your dog, even during the summertime.

Second, unless you have a magical bath-loving pup, you might be restraining your dog using a leash. It is because you don’t want it to escape. However, by forcing your dog to stay, you’re putting it in a frightening situation, which compounds scariness.

Thus, moving your dog indoors can be your best bet. If you have a little dog, you can move it into a shower stall, a bathtub, or even a sink. By doing so, you’ll be able to adjust the water temperature and use natural contours to help your pet stay put.

Cushion a slippery tub floor

The chances are excellent that your dog has a sensory experience, which makes him hate the bath.

Most dogs don’t like to take baths in a tub, sink, or shower stall because they feel unsteady on the slippery, wet floor.

The same thing holds for humans too. If they’ve ever slipped in a shower, sliding around is painful and anxiety-inducing.

Therefore, before starting your dog bath, it is vital to place a mat or a towel around the bathtub floor to prevent your pet from falling. The towel may soak, but your pet will feel much more secure.

Distract your dog

Make your dog believe bath time isn’t that bad by smearing baby food or peanut butter on the shower door or tub. By doing so, your dog will lick as you get down to business.

However, suppose the idea of a peanut-buttery bathroom doesn’t fantasize you. In that case, you can also pick up a dog lick pad to smear peanut butter on it. And, why not? By doing so, your dog will be too busy to experience shower time anxiety.

If you have a highly motivated pup, you can offer them a delicious treat reward until the bath time is over!

Use a mild-smelling and gentle shampoo

Dogs are usually overwhelmed by strongly scented soaps — thanks to their 40 times stronger noses than humans. Thereby, it is vital to go for lightly scented or unscented dog bath products specially formulated for your canines.

Remember never to bathe your dog using a human body wash or human shampoo.

Provide gentle dog bath care for your furry friend

Dogs are susceptible animals and usually fear having a dog bath because it increases their anxiety. But ignoring bath time is not an option.

So, if giving a bath to your furry friend has become difficult, it is always wise to reach out to an experienced dog groomer. After all, their services will enable your dog to come out smelling fresh, and they’ll also trim their nails and cut their hair, if necessary, as a part of their service.

In the end, who doesn’t want a clean and happy, well-groomed dog?

Richard Thomas has been a freelance writer for animal and pet care for more than a decade. He also is a volunteer dedicated to animal rescue and welfare, working for different organizations. He lives with two adopted cats and a rescue dog.

Is it better to have two dogs?