Clean dogs are usually healthy dogs, but practicing good hygiene takes practice. If the practice starts when your dog is a puppy, it will likely be easy to keep them clean throughout their life.
Why is hygiene a concern?
In the wild, dogs maintain their own hygiene without human intervention, but this level of cleanliness is seldom adequate for human interaction.
Humans and dogs have different ideas about what counts as “dirty,” so the regimen we impose on our pets may be contrary to their nature. Dogs do not instinctively brush their teeth or take a bath, so they need to be trained as pups to adapt to their humans’ hygiene requirements.
How do I get my dog used to being brushed?
Pups usually respond positively to a gradual introduction of brushing.
- First, get your pup accustomed to your touch. Hold your pup while rubbing your hands gently, but firmly, down their back in slow strokes, which are more calming than brisk ones.
- Rub your puppy’s stomach, legs, and feet, then rub their neck and ears.
- Speak quietly to your puppy as you massage them.
- Repeat 5-minute sessions, several times a day.
- When your pup readily lets you touch them, try using a soft bristle brush.
- Always offer treats or food rewards as a distraction and to help your puppy associate brushing with good things.
If your dog resists, squirms, or cries at any point, stop immediately, but do not release them. Continue to hold and talk to the pup until it calms down. When your pup is quiet, reward with praise or a treat and resume brushing.
How do I get my dog used to taking a bath?
Bathing should be a relaxing experience. As newborns, pups enjoy being licked by their mothers, so take a few pointers from mama dogs.
- First, make sure the water is warmed to body temperature (like mother’s saliva).
- A mama dog does not splash her pup, so neither should you. Gently pour water over the pup, starting with the torso and moving to the feet.
- Use a damp cloth to wash the pup’s face without getting water in their eyes. You may apply an approved eye lubricant to the eyes to protect them from irritation.
- Use an approved puppy shampoo and gently lather the coat with firm, slow strokes.
- Rinse the pup with warm water, making sure all the suds are removed.
If you bathe your dog in the bathroom, introduce them to the tub or shower before you start washing. Place them in the tub or shower without turning on the water, speak calmly, and offer a treat to encourage positive feelings about the bathroom.
A popular method is to put some peanut butter or other sticky reward on the wall (or on something suctioned to the wall) so your dog can enjoy the treat and be distracted during the bath. A non-slip mat will make your dog more secure in the slick tub or shower.
How do I dry my dog while keeping it positive?
Wet dogs shake, so if you do not want a shower yourself, step back when your dog exits the tub or shower. Warm a towel in the dryer and use slow, firm movements to dry your dog. To introduce your dog to an electric hair dryer, place it on the floor and let them investigate for a bit. Then place the dog a distance away from the dryer and turn it on low/cool setting. Gradually approach your dog with the dryer angled away from her face. Increase the heat setting when your dog feels secure.
How do I get my dog used to clipping and grooming?
Whether you groom your dog at home or seek the help of a professional, the experience can be scary for pups. The sight, sound, smell, and sensation of electric clippers can be scary. Use the hair dryer introduction process for the clippers.
When the pup tolerates the sight and sound of the clippers, turn them off before touching their coat. Let them feel the weight of the clippers as you gently move them along the growth pattern of the fur. Finally, turn the clippers on and trim a little hair. Keep initial grooming sessions brief.
How do I get my dog used to tooth brushing?
Although dogs clean some tartar from their teeth by chewing dry food, they cannot do enough to deter gum disease in the long run. Human intervention is required to postpone health complications related to poor dental health (e.g., heart disease, kidney failure). As with most aspects of canine hygiene, brushing teeth does not come naturally for pups.
The first step involves acclimating the pup to having their mouth handled.
- Begin by gently rubbing your pup’s muzzle several times a day, followed by raising the lips and rubbing the gums with your fingers.
- Next, cover your finger with gauze or a damp face cloth and rub along the surface of the gums.
- Finally, when your dog is calmly allowing you to touch the gums and teeth, introduce a toothbrush and toothpaste.
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and an enzymatic toothpaste approved for dogs. Pups do not swish and spit, so toothpaste must be safe when swallowed. Human toothpaste can upset a pup’s stomach.
- Using a small amount of your dog’s toothpaste, brush the teeth next to the gum line in back-and-forth strokes (not up and down).
- Do the incisors first (the small teeth along the front), then the left and right sides.
- Open the dog’s mouth and briefly brush the inner surface (tongue side) of the teeth. The tongue helps clean this side of the teeth, so minor brushing is enough.
Eating usually keeps the chewing surfaces of the teeth clean, so you may not need to brush the chewing surfaces at all. Brush your dog’s teeth every day to obtain maximal benefits.
What else should I practice with my dog?
You will also want to get your dog used to nail trimming and ear cleaning, which are important aspects of dog hygiene. Talk to your veterinarian about best practices, and review the related handouts on these topics for in-depth information.
