Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

One of the hardest things to teach a dog is to SIT PUT in the bath

Some dogs love bath time, especially in hot countries and summer time. Often times though, their first wash can be a little traumatic if not done the right way, especially if you're using a shower hose.

Bathing your puppy too often can remove their natural protective oils. Regular grooming is the best way to prevent the need to bathe your dog.

If your dog has a bad habit of rolling in things like fox faeces, sometimes it is better to just wash that area of the dogs coat. TIP: Treating the soiled area with tomato ketchup before washing can reduce the smell.

It's also important to use PET shampoo. The pH level of the soaps and shampoos we use, are too acidic for dogs because they are designed to match our skin pH levels and a dogs skin pH levels are higher than ours.

So here's how to make the experience as pleasant as possible

1) Preparation

• Wear something you don't mind getting destroyed!
• Prepare yourself for the aftermath!
  As soon as you let your dog out of the bath they are going to want to SHAKE.
  You can prevent a mess in your bathroom and house by clearing a direct path to the garden or front yard. If you can carry the dog DO THAT. But don't strain your back trying. Having somebody to help you is ideal. Also having the dog pre-trained to go outside on command is really helpful.
  

2) Ease them in gently

• Start by letting them just sit in or outside the bathroom while the water is running.
• Use the up command to have them look inside the bath. Treat them a few times for jumping up, then after a while start putting the treats in the bath when they jump up on command. After doing this a few times, if the dog hasn't already jumped into the bath to get the treats, you can lift them inside.
• Don't force them to stay in the bath. Because this is new for your dog, they might jump straight back out. Each time they jump out you just give them the option to get back in again by using the 'up' command and putting the treat in the bath.
• Take plenty of breaks! Eventually your dog will learn that when they jump up on your command you are going to put them in the bath. If the dog doesn't want to get in the bath, he will stop obeying you and refuse to jump up. At this point you should take a break. Any time that your dog seems to be getting stressed from the experience, you should take a break. One early sign that a dog is stressed is when they yawn but they are still energetic.
• When the dog is comfortable in the bath without the water running, start to get them in while the water is running but don't put the water on them. Repeat the same steps above but with the addition of the water running beside them.
• Start introducing the water just by using your hands. It might initially shock them, but since your hands are on them you can reassure them by petting them. After a while spray them a little with the shower hose (or jug of water or whatever you prefer to use) just on their feet and if they jump out of the bath let them. If they don't jump out you can gradually spray other areas of their coat, but take it slow.
• You may have to use a little pressure to keep the dog in the bath when you take the final step of putting the shower hose on them. By this stage it's better just to get it over with and don't let them out of the bath. For this reason it's really important that you took your time easing them in and they are ready for this stage. To be ready, they should be happy to stay in the bath without treats and they should be OK with you putting water on them with your hands.
  

3) Make it fun

• With everything that you teach your dog, making it fun gets the job done much much faster.
• Bring a toy that they are familiar with. Use the toy just to get them comfortable in the bath. Be careful not to get your dog over-excited about playing in the bath, especially if the dog is not well trained. You want a balance between fun and discipline.
• Plenty of treats. You might need to upgrade the treats you use to something extra special to get your dog really excited about earning those treats by staying in the bath.

4) Reassure them

• Use your voice. Talking to your dog helps them to determine by the tone in your voice that there is nothing wrong here and you're not punishing them.
• Keep petting your dog and never ever discipline them for getting out of the bath.
  

5) Drying

Another thing dogs often like to do when they get their freedom is to run around like crazy. Once they are outside first, this is a good way to speed up the drying process. Stay with them and try to keep them running.
DO NOT USE A HAIR DRYER. Use a towel to help them dry. Remember when you do come back inside whatever they sit on is going to become damp if they are still wet and this can leave a lasting smell. Try to get them as dry as possible before they go to their bed.

Here's how I got on with Flo's First Bath