How to Bathe a New Puppy at Home: A Safe First-Bath Guide

Quick answer

Bathe a new puppy in a warm, draft-free room using lukewarm water and a shampoo formulated for young, sensitive skin, then dry the coat fully before letting the puppy roam. Keep the first bath short and calm, and stop if the puppy becomes distressed.

Step-by-step puppy bath

1. Prepare the space and supplies: Choose a warm, draft-free room, lay a non-slip mat in the tub or basin, and have shampoo, towels, and a cup for rinsing within reach before you bring the puppy in. Common mistake: leaving supplies on the other side of the room, which means letting go of a wet puppy mid-bath. Set everything out first so you never have to step away.
2. Check the water temperature: Run lukewarm water and test it on your inner wrist; it should feel neutral, not hot or cold. Fill only a few inches in the basin or use a gentle shower spray. Common mistake: assuming water that feels fine to your hand is fine for a small puppy, which loses heat faster than an adult dog. If you would not wash your own face with it, cool it down.
3. Wet the coat thoroughly, avoiding the head: Use a cup or low-pressure spray to wet the body from the neck back, keeping water out of the ears, eyes, and nose. Common mistake: blasting the face or ears directly, which startles the puppy and can cause water to enter the ear canal. Wipe the face with a damp cloth instead of pouring water over it.
4. Apply and lather a mild puppy shampoo: Dilute a small amount of Johnsons Puppy & Kitten Shampoo in your hand or a cup, then work it gently into the coat, avoiding the eyes and ear openings. Common mistake: pouring shampoo straight onto the puppy, which makes it harder to rinse out and can leave residue on sensitive skin. Use less shampoo than you think you need; you can always add a little more.
5. Rinse until the water runs clear: Rinse from the neck down with lukewarm water, parting the coat to check the underlayer, then rinse once more. Common mistake: stopping as soon as the surface looks clean, leaving shampoo trapped near the skin where it can cause itching. When you think you are done rinsing, do one more pass.
6. Dry thoroughly and keep the puppy warm: Wrap the puppy in a towel and pat rather than rub, then let it finish drying in a warm room; use a low-heat dryer only if your puppy is comfortable with the noise. Common mistake: letting a damp puppy go outside or onto a cold floor, which can chill it quickly. Keep the puppy indoors until the coat is completely dry.
7. Reward and reset: Offer a treat and quiet praise right after the bath, then clean and dry the bath area. Common mistake: skipping the reward, which makes the next bath harder; a calm, positive ending is what teaches the puppy that bath time is safe. End on a positive note so the next bath starts easier.

Product facts

• Johnsons Puppy & Kitten Shampoo: Johnsons Puppy & Kitten Shampoo is formulated to be mild and delicate on young, sensitive skin and is suitable for all ages and breeds of cats and dogs. It gives you a single mild shampoo option for a multi-pet home and for a puppy's first baths, without switching products as the coat changes.