How to Give a Small Dog a Bath

One of the advantages of owning a small dog is that they are very easy to bathe at home. Often small dogs are frightened by the noise and activity of a high volume pet salon. Why not save yourself the expense and your dog's nerves by following these simple steps for bathing your small dog at home? 

1. Collect the materials you will need so you will have everything close at hand. These materials generally include combs and brushes, pet shampoo, clean towels, and perhaps doggie treats. If you think about cleaning the dog's ears, then getting some cotton balls would be a good idea. 

2. Allow your dog time to adjust to the idea of getting a bath. If you have a puppy, or a new pet, the whole process may be somewhat frightening, so take things slowly. Be ready to hand out lots of praise and a few treats to make the bath a pleasant experience for your dog. It will pay off in the long run if your pet is a happy participant, rather than frightened or resistant. 

3. Groom your dog's coat before bathing to remove loose dirt, mats and snarls. Tangles in your dog's coat will be much harder to remove once his coat is wet. If you find yourself chopping away at matted fur - have them removed by a professional groomer the first time, then groom your pet more regularly to avoid matting in the future. 

4. Decide whether you will bathe your dog in the bath tub or kitchen sink. This is not only a question of your dog's size. It is also important to judge whether your dog is likely to remain calm and obedient during his bath. If there's any chance he might jump away from you, you should bathe your dog in a bath tub, rather than risk a fall from the kitchen sink. Another option is to take your dog with you right into the shower. You will get wet anyway so why not kill two birds with one stone! Sounds silly but it works.

5. Place either a rubber mat or a small towel on the bottom of the sink or bath tub. This will keep your pet from slipping on the wet surface, and will help him feel more comfortable.