Springer spaniel puppies are adorable, lovable, and playful, which often means they coat themselves in a thick layer of mud.
Puppy bathtime can be stressful for both the owner and the spaniel, so what’s the secret on how to bath a springer spaniel puppy effectively.
There are several pieces of equipment you will need and some tips to remember before starting bathtime.
Your puppy may be scared of the water or maybe aversed to shampoo, so read on for the best advice on how to bath a springer spaniel puppy.
What Do I Need to Bath a Springer Puppy?
There are several pieces of equipment that you will want to consider acquiring before attempting to bath your springer spaniel. These are the essentials, though there are other products to look for, making bathtime with the puppy easier.
Speak to your vet if you are unsure whether your spaniel will need any additional skincare products and whether there are any that they will be allergic to.
Here are your basic requirements:
- SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER – look for something made for puppies as it will gentler on the skin, and think about finding a shampoo that will be good for thick springer spaniel fur
- TOWELS – avoid hair-driers because these may scare the puppy
- WATER TUB
- TREATS – these are to make your spaniel feel safer during bathtime, and the dog’s favorite toy could also help
- SOFT BRUSH
- WASHCLOTH – preferably something soft, designed for dogs
How Is Puppy Bathing Different to Washing an Adult Spaniel?
Adult springer spaniels will be less anxious when around the water so that bathtime may be easier, with less coaxing and comforting. An adult spaniel will also have less sensitive skin, so you will be able to use a water sprayer to remove soap and a blow-drier to remove water at the end – both of these would be too harsh on a puppy’s skin and may cause them to be even more anxious.
Springer spaniel puppy bathing will also require more skin-sensitive products – try to find shampoos and conditioners formulated specifically for puppies as these will have a better pH for springer spaniel puppy skin.
How Often Should I Wash My Springer Puppy?
During young puppyhood, you will need to bath your springer spaniel every 3-4 weeks. However, as your pup gets older, this can be reduced to once every 1-2 months.
You need to think about your particular puppy, though, as they are all different. A springer who gets muddy a lot can have baths more often, but a pup who is prone to dry or sensitive skin should be cleaned less frequently.
How To Bath a Springer Spaniel Puppy
Starting the bath
Start by filling the tub with lukewarm water to avoid your puppy being too hot or too cold. Carefully lower the spaniel into the bathtub – if he starts to scramble or tries to get away, then introduce him to the water more slowly – show him some in the palm of your hand or splash him a little bit.
The most important thing is to make sure your springer spaniel is comfortable, so don’t force the puppy into the water.
Using products
Once the spaniel is in the water, wet his fur up to the neckline – there is a different process for the face. If you are using shampoo, start to gently lather and massage this into the fur and then rinse away by splashing with warm water and wiping with the washcloth in the direction of the fur.
After using shampoo, you may also want to add a conditioner as it will balance out the pH – dog shampoos will quite often dry out the skin and the roots of the hair.
The face
First, use the washcloth to dampen the fur on the face and wipe any mud or other debris off. Then, gently wipe sleepy dust or other foreign material away from the eyes and wipe over the tops of the ears – it is important not to soak these because any water which enters the ear canal could cause painful infections.
You can also use an ear cleansing solution to help protect against infections – talk to your vet for more information about these. Finish by gently patting your dog dry with the towel and brushing through the fur.
Tips On How To Bath a Springer Spaniel?
Cleaning tips
- Always wash in the direction of the fur and don’t scrub, just pat – this applies to lathering and removing shampoo, drying and brushing
- Don’t put any soap on the face, and don’t get water in the ear canals or eyes
- Rinse all shampoo off – even when you think it all gone, rinse some more because if any product is left over, it will massively irritate and dry out the puppy’s skin
Equipment Tips
- Try to find a shampoo that will be gentle on your pup’s skin so that you don’t dry it out or irritate it
- If the puppy is under 4 months old, it is a good idea to use no products to reduce the risk of irritating the skin or drying it out – the spaniel’s young skin won’t need any shampoo anyway
- Make sure the water is lukewarm – not too hot and not too cold
- Your puppy might get scared – gentle encouragement, treats, and lots of cuddles will help the springer to feel safer
Final Thoughts
When asking, “How to bath a springer spaniel puppy” the best way is to calmly approach it because it will help your keep the puppy calm.
You need to think about the products you use, the water temperature, and the approach to using both of these – think about how they may affect your puppy’s skin.
But the most important thing is not to force your springer spaniel into the water if the puppy is afraid, because then it will take lots more effort for your dog to feel comfortable in the bath in future years.
