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Why Do Dogs Hate Baths: 5 Common Issues

Why do dogs hate baths? We’ve compiled a few common mistakes that owners make — and easy fixes for each!

Written by: Dogster Team

Last Updated on February 26, 2024 by Dogster Team

Cute puppy in bathtub looking scared of water.

Why Do Dogs Hate Baths: 5 Common Issues

We have a furry new addition to our family, a French Bulldog named Louie. Louie and I made it through bath time unscathed. We finished with a brisk towel dry and a spritz of kiwi-scented dog cologne. When I had my first dog, Lulu, dog grooming was a little more basic. With Louie, there are a lot more than flea and tick shampoos at my disposal. The lineup now includes detangling sprays, leave-in conditioners, and — I kid you not — doggie hair gel. But all those fancy products fail to help many of us overcome one major hurdle: when dogs hate baths like Lulu did.

Lulu used to be a handful at bath time. She would run, hide, and wail, leaving me with a house that smelled of wet dogs. For examples of similar doggie drama, search “dogs who hate bath time” on YouTube.

Fortunately, it’s never too late to introduce good habits — even if your dog hates baths. Professional dog trainer Mario Bardouille has spent the past 18 years specializing in behavior modification. He shares five common mistakes dog owners make during bath time.

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The 5 Mistakes People Do While Bathing Their Dogs

1. Stressing the dog out before you even reach the tub

There’s no shortage of tools to help dogs look their best. But patience is the key to maintaining a regular grooming routine at home.
There’s no shortage of tools to help dogs look their best. But patience is the key to maintaining a regular grooming routine at home. Photography by Morieka Johnson.

Don’t rush through bath time. Dogs respond to your energy and work to please you, so be patient and focus on creating a positive experience. Start with brushing your dog’s coat regularly. Include plenty of praise — as well as treats — for good behavior. Gradually build toward milestones such as entering the bathroom and stepping inside the tub. It may take time, but Bardouille says your dog eventually will understand that baths can be a comfortable, happy, and rewarding experience.

Choosing the right shampoo and conditioner can also affect how your pup reacts in the bath. Don’t opt for overly perfumy products or ones that contain any harsh ingredients that could irritate their skin.

Our Favorite Products

Selecting the right shampoo and conditioner makes the world of a difference when grooming your pup. Our favorite products are the duo by Hepper. The Oatmeal Pet Shampoo is formulated with aloe and oatmeal to soothe skin and hydrate the coat. The Pet Conditioner works at eliminating tangles and taming frizz and static. Both products are pH-balanced and formulated with pet-friendly ingredients, free of harsh soaps, chemicals, and dyes. Give this duo a try to heal and nourish your dog's coat, and leave them with an irresistible just-left-the-spa cucumber and aloe scent. 

Hepper Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs, Cats and Other...
Hepper Pet Conditioner and Moisturiser - Scented...
Hepper Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs, Cats and Other...
Hepper Pet Conditioner and Moisturiser - Scented...
pH balanced
Gently cleanses
Cucumber & aloe scent
Free of harmful additives
Combats tangles & static
Soothes & hydrates
Hepper Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs, Cats and Other...
Hepper Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs, Cats and Other...
pH balanced
Gently cleanses
Cucumber & aloe scent
Free of harmful additives
Combats tangles & static
Soothes & hydrates
Hepper Pet Conditioner and Moisturiser - Scented...
Hepper Pet Conditioner and Moisturiser - Scented...
pH balanced
Gently cleanses
Cucumber & aloe scent
Free of harmful additives
Combats tangles & static
Soothes & hydrates

At Dogster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool pet company!

 


2. Avoiding dental care

Brushing a squirming dog’s teeth can be a pain. That’s why so many people skip dog dental care, which can lead to costly health issues down the road. “Turn grooming, particularly dental care, into a fun experience,” says Bardouille. “Help the dog understand that this isn’t going to be so bad.” He suggests investing in flavored toothpaste specially formulated for dogs. Toothpaste made for people can be toxic to dogs, so shop at pet supply stores for this grooming item. (He’s partial to a beef-flavored version from Petsmile that doesn’t require the use of a brush.) Start slowly, encouraging your dog to approach and sniff the tube or applicator.

“We’re conditioning good behavior,” he says. “Let the dog follow it with his nose, introducing that sensory factor. Then rub it on his lip and actually put it in his mouth. Make the dog want to show interest rather than pulling away. When that happens, they get the reward, which is the toothpaste. Make that behavior a conditioned thing where you do it every morning. Turn that into your morning routine so the dog understands that this is something they do before they get their food or after their morning walk. Before you know it, your dog will be sitting and doing obedience.”


3. Neglecting touch-ups between baths

Once dogs return from their daily walk, Bardouille recommends that you wipe paws as well as their private areas with baby wipes or an old washcloth. These regular touch-ups keep the funk at bay between baths and help dogs grow more accustomed to regular grooming.

“French Bulldogs or English Bulldogs — they are a little bit lower — so when they are walking, they splash things up,” he says of short-statured dogs. “Wipe their armpits, stomach and private areas; that actually makes a big difference in the odor.”

Also, don’t forget to wipe those wrinkles and eye areas, which can accumulate lots of gunk.

Louie also makes trips to my husband's veterinary clinic, where bath time occasionally feels like a spa visit.
Louie also makes trips to my husband’s veterinary clinic, where bath time occasionally feels like a spa visit. Photography by Morieka Johnson.

4. Freaking out during nail trims

“You have to learn how far to go with your dogs,” Bardouille says. “Some dogs’ quicks (nail tips) are a little bit longer. Look at the base underneath the dog’s foot. Even on a dark nail, you can see the excess nail where it kind of hooks.”

Even with great care, accidents do happen. During a routine nail trim, you may go a little too far and cut the dog’s quick, causing bleeding. Bardouille says don’t panic. Keep a container of styptic powder in your doggie first aid kit to stop the bleeding. Then return to the task, taking things slowly and snipping a bit at a time. Let go of the dog’s paw when you notice him getting uncomfortable, and end on a positive note with plenty of praise.


5. Forgetting that repetition is key

Work on developing good habits, including regular brushing, so that the dog is conditioned to enjoy this bonding time. Before you know it, Bardouille says your dog will be sitting still during bath time.

I’m certainly putting his advice into practice. After that first drama-free bath, my nephew rewarded Louie with treats and plenty of cuddle time to celebrate a job well done. We’re off to a good start.

After bath time, Louie got plenty of cuddle time from my nephew, Morgan Gore.
After bath time, Louie got plenty of cuddle time from my nephew, Morgan Gore. Photography by Morieka Johnson.

About the author: Morieka Johnson lives in metro Atlanta with her husband, two stepdaughters, and Louie, their high-energy puppy. She enjoys writing about dog health, toys, and training. Morieka shares more of their exploits on SoulPup.com.

Read more about dog grooming on Dogster.com:


Featured Image Credit: Ashleigh Wells Photography/Thinkstock.

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