The Complete Puppy Bathing Guide: How to Wash Your Puppy Without the Mess

Are you and your puppy making a splash out of your pup’s first bath? Bath time can feel like being part of a circus — water dripping everywhere, a scared puppy, and you drenched from head to toe. But bathing a puppy doesn’t have to be a fight. It can be a relaxing time that you and your puppy actually look forward to — and even find peace during.

Are you and your puppy making a splash out of your pup’s first bath? Bath time can feel like being part of a circus — water dripping everywhere, a scared puppy, and you drenched from head to toe. But bathing a puppy doesn’t have to be a fight. It can be a relaxing time that you and your puppy actually look forward to — and even find peace during.

I want to show you the absolute easiest, least messy way to wash a puppy — no, really! Not another, ‘Oh, you’ll get the hang of it’ story! In this guide, I’m going to take you through the tools, techniques and tricks that will make puppy bath time easy, fast and with minimal stress. By the end of the story, you’ll feel like a pro.

Why Is Bathing a Puppy So Challenging?

After all, the puppy can be a fidgety, nervous bundle of incoherent squeaks at bath time. He might not know what’s going on, and your ability to handle his confusion can easily unravel when you ‘wing it’.

The trick? Having a game plan in place before the water starts running.

However, here’s the thing — Do you really have to bathe your new puppy a lot? The answer might shock you! Puppies do need to bathed frequently. In fact, over washing them can cause unnecessary stripping of essential oils on their skin. The rule of thumb? A bath every few months or so or when your puppy has gotten into some dirt.

Step 1: Gather Your Puppy Bathing Essentials

Things you need to know first: You’ll need the right tools. Bathing a puppy can be a messy business, and many people aren’t properly equipped. Here’s your shopping list:

- Puppy shampoo (never use human shampoo — it’s too harsh for their sensitive skin)

- A non-slip mat to keep your puppy secure

- A gentle, adjustable shower head or pitcher to rinse them easily

- Plenty of towels (at least two — one for drying and one for cleanup)

- Puppy treats to reward them for good behavior during the bath

If everything is in your lap, you can avoid a mad dash around the bath while waiting for the shampoo to work. You’d have more time to bond with your puppy before they try to escape.

Step 2: Set the Stage for a Calm Bath

This is where many puppy guardians go awry. If you rush a bath without first making sure your puppy feels safe, you’re going to be greeted with splashing and squirming. But how can you get your puppy to relax?

Try getting your puppy used to being around the bathing area before the water comes out. Let him investigate by placing treats around the tub or sink. Let him sniff those treats and spend a few minutes getting used to the space and sights and sounds before adding more variables. This removes the dreaded scary unknown.

Step 3: Lukewarm Water Is Your Best Friend

Wait until you’re both good to go, then start with warm water. Cold water can scare your puppy, and hot water can strip the skin of its moisture, so run the Goldilocks water that’s just right — comfortable on your fingers. While you’re washing, try to get the hair across the whole of your puppy’s body, especially under his tummy and behind his ears. Start with a slow steady trickle of water or a damp washcloth for any nervous puppies.

Top tip: Sponge the legs and body first, then the head This goes for showering and bathing, especially. The most common mistake many humans make when trying to submerge their puppy is that they start splashing from the head down instead of the legs up. This is one of the scariest things you can do because puppies will protectively back up into the water to make the dropping stop by using the age-old nausea reflex. Don’t worry, they are unlikely to hurl in your living room and make a mess! If water hits their face too soon, that’s the signal that will make them fight off your water hose. The head and ears can be dealt with last.

Step 4: Mastering the Lather and Rinse

Now for the fun part — time to lather! Put a small droplet of puppy shampoo (a little goes a long way!) and work it into your dog’s coat. Be careful to avoid their eyes and ears.

Back to the rinse. We want the pup’s coat rinsed well so he doesn’t have any soap-sweet left. Soap residue can also irritate the skin, and frankly, no one wants his dog to be itchy.

Objection:But won’t my puppy be wiggling too much to handle all this?

That’s why it’s important to keep one hand on the puppy at all times. Talk to the dog, gently, all the way through. If your puppy gets fidgety, stop and let him breathe. It’s supposed to feel like this!

Step 5: The Towel Dry Technique

Turn off the water immediately and then put your puppy in a towel. She will probably try to shake off the excess water which is cute but it gets everywhere. The towel wrap keeps your pup warm and decreases the splash zone.

Bonus tip: pat them dry as much as possible with a towel before moving on to the next step. Give them some SCIENCE! Extra credit if you use the blow dryer on a low, cool setting (start with a low setting and loud fan noise — puppies have sensitive ears! — and let them get acclimated before moving up to warmer airflow).

Wrapping It All Up

All done! You bathed your puppy without turning your bathroom into a swimming pool. The lesson here: prepare properly and you’ll be fine. With the right equipment and a relaxed, systematic approach, even the most wiggly puppy can learn how to enjoy (or at least tolerate) tub time.

And remember: the more times you do this, the easier your puppy will take his bath. In no time, bath time will just be routine for him — and your pooch will be practically spotless and happy.