Q&A for How to Give a Small Dog a Bath

Make it a regular routine to brush your dog's coat at least once during the week.

Use water that's a little bit more than lukewarm temperature so your dog is comfortable. You don't want it to be too hot or cold.

Use a low-pressure sprayer attachment on your sink or in your shower to thoroughly clean your dog. Be sure to use a dog shampoo and work the lather down to the skin so your dog is completely clean.

Use an alcohol-based ear cleaner, which will help dry out any water in their ears. Just apply the cleaner to a cotton ball (not too much—you don't want it soaking wet), and then carefully swab out any debris in their ears with it.

You should use dog shampoo that's designed for your dog's skin type. You can also follow up with a dog conditioner. Make sure you have towels and a blow dryer on hand too for drying your dog off afterward.

The trick is to teach the dog in stages and make sure he's happy with each step before moving onto the next. A great help is a dog toothpaste, as these taste great and your dog should learn to link toothbrushing to a tasty treat. Start by rubbing some doggy toothpaste on his gums and teeth to get him used to having the mouth touched and the flavor of the paste. Let him sniff and play with the toothbrush, and once he's happy with that start touching the brush to his teeth. Just do one or two teeth at first, then make a big fuss of him. Build things slowly by increasing the number brushed over time.

As long as you stick with the general rules about the temperature and depth of the water you will be fine. With a toy dog you also have the option to use a baby bath or washing up bowl, but you will need a second to hand for the rinse water. However, very small dogs are more prone to chilling so be ready with large dry towels afterwards and be sure to be in a warm room.

He might have been startled by the bath. Pet him and let him know he's okay. If you have a backyard, play fetch with him. Try to distract your dog from what just happened. If he's still shivering after doing these, consider going to the vet.

No. It's for humans and not pet safe. Use dog-fur de-tangling spray. Human and dog skins are different, so stay away from using any human skin products because it will cause irritation for dogs.

It depends on how thick your dog's hair is, whether it is an inside or outside dog, and how young the dog is. If you want to, no more than once a week would be best.

It depends on the breed. For most breeds, yes. Check with your vet to see if your puppy has delicate skin. If so, I would wait 1-2 more weeks.

If possible, try wearing out your dog before giving them a bath.

Yes, you should add the pet-friendly bubble bath solution before your dog gets in the water.

Using warmer water should be calming to your dog. If not, speak soothing words and take small breaks to pet and praise your dog.

Rub your dog and make him feel better. He might be afraid of something.

Work up to using the dryer on your pet to get him used to the sound and the sensation of air blowing on him. First and foremost, you need to keep the nozzle a few inches away from your dog's hair and the air flow in constant motion to prevent heat from concentrating on any one spot and burning your pet.

Yes, baby shampoo works well.

You should consult with your vet, as it is different and varies from dog to dog.

If there is some essential reason you need to bathe them, consult your veterinarian first. On the other hand, if your dog is on their vaccination schedule, it is advisable to wait two weeks after each inoculation to give it a bath.

No. The pH level creates a problem with using human shampoo for dogs. Use a dog shampoo or moisturising soap instead.

It could be due to being in a dirty, unwashed area where the puppy stays a lot. Clean the place up. Avoid using fragrant products for your puppy as they might dry the skin. Bathe the puppy gently and if the odor persists, consult a vet.