3. Praise, don’t punish
Dogs learn by positive reinforcement. This means that shouting at them or trying to physically restrain them won’t work, and it could the problem worse. Instead, use a calming voice and offer their favourite treat as a reward for good behaviour. If your dog starts to associate bath time with getting something that they like, they’re much more likely to tolerate it.
4. Lots of attention
After you’ve attempted this process it’s important to give your dog plenty of attention. They may want to go off and be by themselves for a little while, but be on hand to make a fuss of them and give attention when they want it.
When you do give your dog a full bath it’s best to choose a quiet time when there isn’t much activity going on in the home, and when your dog has recently eaten a meal, as they’re more likely to be calm.
There are also a range of products you can purchase to help keep your dog calm. These usually plug in and release calming pheromones, so they may be worth a try if your pet is still resistant to bathing.
For more detailed tips, check out our article on how to bathe your dog.