[Cris]

Is it okay to give Keltie a wash as she's a bit smelly from digging in the mud. As it's only day two I don't want to frighten her.

I've never washed a dog before and as she's so little should I do it in the sink, presumably with tepid water and I've got some baby shampoo. I haven't got a dog towel yet so I assume a normal towel will dry her off okay, but I'm a bit worried she'll get cold with her coat wet - gosh I sound like an neurotic new mum, but I just have to ask!!

Looking forward to great advice as always.

Cris

 

[Jedicrazy]

It's fine to bath her and if you're up to it use the hair dryer after you've towel dried her so she get's used to it (for groomers in the future). I've used baby shampoo on Obi bit I'm planning to get some Tropiclean as lots of people on here recommend it.

 

[JoJo]

Don't worry we are all anxious to start with, sink is good for a puppy, a couple of towels, puppy shampoo, keep it calm and gentle and make her feel relaxed, she will be fine.

Just a little note, did the breeder say not to bath her for a week, sometimes breeders frontline puppies just before they leave and it is recommended not to bath them for a week after that I believe, it may be less 4-5 days, best to check as you don’t want to wash that off.

I bathed all mine in the sink to start with, keep them close make them feel secure, also a light hair dry may be good to introduce early on, but if she seem scared, just let her get used to the noise for a few weeks until using it full on. I introduced the hair dry after puppies are home for approx 10 days, gentle blow dry, and now they are all fine with it, but at first the noise can be more off putting than the drying itself.

I hope this reassure you, and enjoy the splashes

 

[Cris]

What a great bunch you are, thanks for the speedy advice, particularly about the frontline - never occurred to me. I'll leave it a few more days.

 

[embee]

Tropiclean is soap free and doesn't affect Frontline.

Maybe this is a bit sentimental but I would just bathe the puppy in warm water but not use shampoo for a week or so, so not to completely strip away the familiar scent of mum and the litter. Although we like the smell of a freshly shampooed dog I'm sure they are not so keen on the smell, which is why they usually dash of the the nearest fox poo or rotting mouse for a good roll around after being freshly groomed!

Have plenty of warm towels ready to wrap her up as they get really shivery and brace yourself for the mad dashing around that usually follows a good soaking

 

[ali-s.j.]

I picked up a baby bath at a local sale, thought it might come in handy...

 

[Ali79]

We bought Tropiclean as advised by others on this site for £4.50 including postage from ebay. It smells lovely and doesn't affect the flea treatment though we use Advocate as it treats worms too and in Norwich there has been a couple of cases of lung worm so thought better be safe than sorry

 

[kendal]

bathing from an early age is perfect as they learn to stand still in the bath rather than jump out. you can blow dry her with a hair dryer on a cool setting or when she curls up in a ball you can cover her with a blanket to keep her warm. she will probably run about daft when she gets out the bath, also get her out to pee after the bath, Echo still always needs to pee after a bath for some reason.

 

[tessybear]

Dexter was so shivery after his first bath- I had to put him on his towel in front of the gas fire even though it was a warm day.

 

[JoJo]

I love doggy bath time, especially ehnr they shake all over my kitchen / bathroom.

They look and smell so lovely, then we run through the field or woods and come home smelling of deer or cow poo. Honey and cow poo, always ends in her having a green face!!! not so sweet smelling