Bathing Labrador Puppy Guide: When to Start & How

Bathing Labrador Puppy

Are you confused about how to groom your new Labrador puppy? Here’s your Bathing Labrador Puppy guide to teach you when you can start giving them a bath, how to bathe them, and tips to help them enjoy their bathtime.

Whether it is a Labrador or a German shepherd, or any other breed it does not matter. Every dog needs to be groomed at regular intervals and needs to have a bath at some point in their lives.

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Labrador puppies should only bathe when they are 12 weeks old or older. Bathing depends on various factors, and one of them is coat type.

Some breeds are double-coated, and therefore they need extra care and a bath a couple of times a year, While a smooth-coated breed such as Rottweilers only needs a bath only once a year.

But yeah! If they smell bad, then you need to bathe them.

And we will also discuss, how do you bathe a lab puppy and much more.

When can puppies have their first bath?

Young puppies cannot regulate their body temperature which is a significant drawback. That’s why it is advisable to wait until they are eight weeks old for a Labrador puppy’s first bath.

Not only age, but you should also focus on the weather. Is it summer or winter?

How often to bathe a Labrador puppy?

You can bathe your Labrador puppy once a month. But, if your puppy plays in the mud a lot. Then you should wash them more often to maintain good hygiene.

Also, make sure to select a good dog shampoo for your puppy, which is good for their skin.

Many people make their puppy bathe regularly, and if you are one of them then you immediately need to stop.

You need to understand that they are not humans. We can bathe regularly but, they cannot as it can affect their skin and the natural waterproofing of their coat.  

Their body is different from our body. Regular bathing can disrupt the natural oil balance in the body.

How often should you bathe a labrador?

As first-time Labrador puppy owners below is a guide on when to bathe your puppy.

1. Until 3 Month Old

When a puppy is very young you might be wondering if you can bathe a puppy at 8 weeks old. If your dog is young, such as 8 weeks up to 3 months, it is ok to wash them once a week.

2. Six Month Old

Then there is no need to make them bathe often. 

Instead, you can wash them once a month, which is sufficient. But, if your dog rolls in the mud a lot. Then you can consider washing them more often.

3. More Than Six Months

You can wash dogs that are six months or older once a year using a gentle shampoo, which is suitable for dogs only.

If your dog is outside a lot and often gets dirty you can wash them more often.

Labradors are very popular, friendly, and water-loving breeds and have a unique water-repellent coats. Their coat helps their undercoats to stay dry even after swimming in the water.

So, particularly for Labrador puppies, you can make them bathe once every four months. Always remember to use a good-quality shampoo.

How often should you bathe a labrador puppy?

You need to know everything from when to wash your puppy to how often you need to wash your puppy. Now, what are the steps to bathe your Lab puppy? Because washing a puppy isn’t as easy as you think.

Follow all the steps given below:

1. Get puppy shampoo supplies 

You can not wash your dog with the basic soap you have at your home. You have to get a special shampoo, only meant for dogs.

The reason you can not use human shampoo is the detergent used in it. There are certain harsh detergents in human shampoo that can damage or irritate your dog’s coat.

Those detergents can easily wash away natural protectants and making them vulnerable to several diseases and infections. So instead, go and get a dog shampoo. Along with that, also get a brush, towel, and a dryer (if possible).

2. Dog Comb 

Before you wash them:

1. Please make sure you comb their coat significantly.
2. Make sure you do not use hot water or cold water.
3. Fill a bucket with lukewarm water and use it to wash your puppy.

3. Be Gentle 

Some puppies are afraid of water, so never forcefully spray water on puppies. Instead, make it easier on your puppy, and slowly pour the water on them.

Also, make sure you do not let the water go inside their ears or eyes.

As the ear folds in their ear canal can easily trap the water, which can later lead to several bacteria that can grow on the water. It can lead to ear infections and many other complications.

4. How to prepare the dog bath

After pouring lukewarm water over your dog, you can go ahead and prepare the puppy shampoo. You can do this by mixing the soap with water.

Now, with the help of a soft sponge in your hands. You can evenly spread that shampoo all over their body and do not let the shampoo go into their eyes.

5. How to rinse your dog’s coat

After doing all these steps, now it is time to rinse them.

You can use one hand to pour water, and with the other hand, you can cover their eyes and ears so that the water can not get there.

If your pet has a thick and dense coat, then I suggest you repeat this process several times. 

Also, give some treats to your puppy and praise them for cooperating with you. So, next time they might cooperate with you even more to get the reward.

6. How to dry a puppy after a bath 

After you wash them, your next step is to dry them. 

Now, you can use the towel and dry them out. The thinner your puppy’s coat, the less time it will take to dry. You can also use hairdryers if you want to.

Also, make sure your puppy doesn’t go outside in cold weather while wet. 

Tip: Some puppies are not used to the sound of a hairdryer. So, make sure you carry out this practice from an early age. This way, they will slowly get used to it and would not be frightened next time.

7. How to brush a puppy

After you have washed your puppy, you have to comb it once again to keep its fur in good condition.