How to Bathe a Shar Pei Puppy

Often when we bring a new puppy home, the first thing we want to do is bathe them. Sometimes when you bring them home new puppies have an odor from the pet store, crate they were in or just from being in close proximity to other puppies. Giving a new puppy a bath right off the bat is not advisable. It can be stressful for them to get bathed for the first time and letting them get used to their surroundings for a few weeks is best. Initially, you can keep them smelling fresh by wiping them down with puppy wipes periodically. Once they have settled in to your home, you can give them a full fledged bath. Keep in mind though, that Shar Pei's have dry skin and bathing them to frequently can cause dry skin. You should only bathe them when they have an odor.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Wash Cloth
• Towel
• Puppy Shampoo

1. Typically, it is best to bathe your Shar pei your bath tub. You should use some sort of basin or tub though if your prefer not to bathe them in your own bath tub. You should use warm water, not hot. Dogs are far more sensitive to heat than humans, so test the temperature yourself before wetting the dog. Place your dog in the tub while it is empty. You don't want to submerge them in water. It is best to wet them while they are standing or sitting in the tub, by using a sprayer or rinsing cup. Make certain to not get any water in your puppies ears, nose, eyes or mouth. It is best to just wet them from the back of the neck down.
2. After your Shar Pei puppy is thoroughly wet, you can add your puppy shampoo. During this step you can turn the water off and drain the dirty water from the tub or basin. Make certain that you lather them up thoroughly and clean in between wrinkles and folds. Again, do not wash their face. Wash from the neck down.
3. After your puppy is lathered up, you can begin to rinse the puppy shampoo off with warm water. Make certain that you get all the puppy shampoo from their coat and skin. Also, check their wrinkles and folds. Rinse all areas carefully, making certain no puppy shampoo is left behind. Take your hand and perform a stroking motion over all areas to make certain that all the soapy water is running off their body.
4. When you have finished washing your Shar Pei's body, you can wet a wash cloth to clean their face. Carefully, take the wet wrung out wash cloth and clean around their eyes, nose, ears and mouth.
5. The great thing about Shar Peis is that they have a short coat, so that means that they dry rather quickly. After you bathe them you can simply pat them dry with a towel to remove excess water and their coat will dry in minutes in the air.

Tips & Warnings

• Consult with your veterinarian about what brand of shampoo is best for your Shar Pei
• Stay calm and soothing
• Do not bathe your Shar Pei weekly, because it is not good for their coat or skin.