Rub a dub dub, old man dog in the tub! There are some seriously important factors to consider when you are bathing an ancient friend. Firstly, they get and stay cold easy, so make sure it is at least 75 degrees F before diving into a bath with these guys, or you are risking pneumonia. Also, weigh the pros and cons of the stress you’re causing the dog, if the dog wigs out and has a spaz attack that results in wheezing for days, does it really need to smell minty fresh? These guys might be a good candidate for a waterless bath product you can find in any pet store if the experience is particularly stressful. Just beware any dog skin allergies the animal might have.

 Awwwww baby in the tub!  Seriously, everyone loves naked tub pictures of babies, but hold off until they are at least 10 weeks old.  Even if the room isn’t cold, they have super small noses and will aspirate water vapor into their lungs.  That said; how their first few baths go will pretty much determine how the rest go as well so start early and often when they are old enough.  Be firm, insist, and don’t let them out of the tub if they are misbehaving or upset, but only when they have settled down.

Water dog wants to play! This is an easy one. Just be firm no matter how cute the behavior is and insist they understand this is business not pleasure. It won’t make them hate the water, and you will be reaffirming your position as the pack leader. They must, even as little labs, sit nice and quiet in that tub and let you scrub on them. Hold them still if they wiggle and tell them no. If they then continue to wiggle, hold them still and tell them NO. I don’t care if you have to scream it, make them take the word seriously. It does pay to scare them just a little bit, and they won’t blame you or the bath as long as your timing is good on interrupting the behavior.

Disappearing dog act! This one, if you are consistent, is also easy to fix. Little toy dogs will find hopping out of the sink a little harder, not to mention scarier. Bigger dogs, just like training puppies, just grab hold of their skin on their cheeks, give them a little shake and yell NO! Don’t give them the opportunity to leave, which is setting them up for failure. Have your whole bathing kit handy and accessible during the bath and they will have a much harder time making the great escape with you blocking the route.