When it comes time to take a bath, dogs usually run in the opposite direction. Or maybe it’s easy to get them in the bath but the whole time they are anxious, tense, and hate every second of it. If your pup is not the biggest fan of baths, it’s also likely a stressful activity for you too. Here are some tips to help make bathtime more bearable for both you and your pup!
Designate Time for Bath Time
Don’t rush or squeeze bathtime in when you can. Give yourself enough time to take the correct steps to make bathtime more enjoyable. If you’re in a rush to get bathtime over with, your pup will feel that urgency which will make them even more anxious. If you have plenty of time, you can go about bathtime in a calm way which could help your pup stay calmer as well.
Stay Positive
Dogs can feel all of their owner’s emotions. So the same way they can feel your urgency, they’ll be able to feel your negative emotions. By having a positive attitude your dog is more likely to listen and obey you. When you’re giving them a bath, talk to them in a fun, upbeat voice similar to how you talk to babies. This will let them know you’re happy and having fun and they should be too.
Make it a Habit
When you go for a walk or workout, you shower right after right? Well, make that a habit for your pup as well! Whenever it’s bathtime for your pup, take them for a long walk or run right beforehand. They’ll start seeing the pattern and will be less shocked and scared when that bathwater starts running.
Make Bathtime Fun
Don’t approach bathtime as a chore. As mentioned a few times above, acting like something is a chore, and having a bad attitude about it will only make your dog think the same way. Try to make bathtime playful and fun! If your dog loves toys, get them some fun toys to play with in the water. Over time, they’ll realize that bathtime means playtime and they’ll be more excited to participate!
Bring a Treat
Dog’s love getting treats, obviously. Bring a treat to the bathroom with you when you are getting the bath ready. This could make your dog just easily follow you in. They will also start associating baths with getting a treat so they won’t cause such a fuss when it’s time for a bath.
Sign Up for Dog Training With Leader of the Pack
If none of these tips work consider signing your pup up for professional training lessons! The professionals at Leader of the Pack in Quincy know all the tips and tricks to get your dog to listen to you and obey your commands. We offer private in-home training sessions or group dog training sessions at our location in Quincy. Sign up today or give us a call at 617-296-1711with any questions you may have. You can also fill out a contact form and we’ll be sure to get back to you ASAP!