Although dogs love to play and roll in dirt and stinky things, a pet that lives with humans has to be kept clean and free from diseases. For that, a regular bathing routine is necessary.
While bathing your dog, keep two things in mind – slow is good and rewards are fun. To train your dog to bath without a fuss, you have to associate bathing with good things in return, like a chicken piece or his favorite game. So, whenever you take him to the tub, don’t forget to give him a treat after the bathing is done.
If he hesitates in entering the tub, train him first to hop in a cardboard box. If you have a little one, you can just pick him and place in the tub. Also, whatever you do, do it slowly. If you have to introduce your dog to the bathing ritual, begin by just taking to the bathroom and familiarizing with the space. And remember to stay calm and relaxed throughout the process.
Vets at Mount Pleasant, the leading animal clinic in Singapore, say that you should never punish or yell at a dog if he refuses to go in the bath area even after persuasion. In that case, you’ll be only frightening the dog and his behavior will be even more difficult. If the dog is large or medium, you can teach them to move in under the shower, which will be easier and less intimidating, or you can just lift your dog to a kitchen or utility sink if it’s a small one. You can also give them a shower outdoors if it’s pleasantly warm.
The key is to have patience, and to show your dog that bathing means rewards. If you are successful in teaching that, your dog will gradually come to love his bath sessions and even look forward to them.
While bathing your dog, keep two things in mind – slow is good and rewards are fun. To train your dog to bath without a fuss, you have to associate bathing with good things in return, like a chicken piece or his favorite game. So, whenever you take him to the tub, don’t forget to give him a treat after the bathing is done.
If he hesitates in entering the tub, train him first to hop in a cardboard box. If you have a little one, you can just pick him and place in the tub. Also, whatever you do, do it slowly. If you have to introduce your dog to the bathing ritual, begin by just taking to the bathroom and familiarizing with the space. And remember to stay calm and relaxed throughout the process.
Vets at Mount Pleasant, the leading animal clinic in Singapore, say that you should never punish or yell at a dog if he refuses to go in the bath area even after persuasion. In that case, you’ll be only frightening the dog and his behavior will be even more difficult. If the dog is large or medium, you can teach them to move in under the shower, which will be easier and less intimidating, or you can just lift your dog to a kitchen or utility sink if it’s a small one. You can also give them a shower outdoors if it’s pleasantly warm.
The key is to have patience, and to show your dog that bathing means rewards. If you are successful in teaching that, your dog will gradually come to love his bath sessions and even look forward to them.