How to Bathe a Small Dog in a Sink

While bathing big dogs is almost always a messy ordeal, small dogs can be very easy. This is particularly true when you can train your dog to actually enjoy baths. Follow these steps to make a kitchen sink dog bath successful.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Appropriate cleaning agents for your sink
• Dog treats
• Brush
• Scissors
• Bath towels
• Wash cloth
• Plastic cup
• Dog shampoo
• Blow dryer

1. Get the sink ready by cleaning it thoroughly with appropriate cleaners and clearing off the counter space next to it.
2. Take some time to brush your dog and trim its fur if needed. Pay particular attention to knotted, tangled and matted fur that may need to be trimmed out.
3. Tell your dog that it’s bath time, and accompany this with a treat to help give a positive connotation to the experience.
4. Put the dog in the sink where it is not directly beneath the faucet. Start running the water and test it with your hand until it is lukewarm.
5. Use the plastic cup to pour warm water over your dog’s body, avoiding the face and ears. Wet your washcloth and wring it out so that it’s only damp. Use the damp washcloth to gently wipe the face and only the outsides of the ears.
6. Squeeze some shampoo into your hand and start massaging it into your dog’s back and rear to build up a lather. Lather up the rest of your dog one area at a time, being particularly careful around the eyes and ears.
7. Rinse the shampoo from the face, eye and ear areas first by again using a damp washcloth. Use cups of water to rinse away the rest of the shampoo.
8. When your dog is all clean, put it on a bath towel on the kitchen counter unless you fear that it might try to jump or run away. In that event, towel dry your dog on the floor. Use another bath towel to get your dog mostly dry.
9. Finish drying your dog with a blow dryer. Only use the low setting and don’t put the dryer too close to your dog’s face. Brushing your dog’s fur during drying will speed up this process.
10. Give your dog another treat and plenty of praise for behaving well during its bath.

Tips & Warnings

• If shampoo gets in your dog’s eyes, gently flush them with water immediately. If your dog’s eyes still seem irritated, take it to the vet.