By the Nini's Choice Team · Updated November 2026
Bathing a dog at home doesn't need a lot of gear, but it does need a plan: the hard parts are usually the slippery tub, water in the ears, shampoo left in the coat, and a dog who would rather be anywhere else. This guide walks through how to bathe a dog at home step by step, with extra help for dogs who hate water.
The steps below follow guidance from the American Kennel Club's bathing guide and VCA Animal Hospitals. It's general information, not veterinary advice. If your dog has a skin condition, an open wound or a prescription shampoo, follow your veterinarian's instructions first.
How often should you bathe a dog?
Less often than many people think. VCA notes that most dogs only need a bath occasionally, usually when the coat is dirty or starts to smell, and that non-shedding breeds without health issues usually need a bath every six to eight weeks during regular grooming. Dogs with heavy undercoats benefit from baths in spring and fall, when they shed seasonally. VCA also says that bathing too often can strip natural oils and lead to dry, itchy skin, and its VCA's winter skin tips suggest bathing less often than usual in winter.
A muddy walk or a roll in something smelly is a good reason to bathe sooner. If your dog seems to need frequent baths to stay comfortable, ask your vet, since VCA notes that odor, greasiness, dandruff or heavy shedding can point to an underlying problem.
What you need before you start
Gather everything before you turn on the water.
- Dog shampoo. Use a shampoo made for dogs. VCA explains that dog skin has a more neutral pH than human skin, so shampoo made for people can disrupt the skin's protective layer.
- A brush or comb for the pre-bath brush-out (more on that below).
- A non-slip mat or a rubber mat for the tub or shower floor. Both AKC and VCA recommend one, because a dog who can't get their footing tends to panic.
- A handheld sprayer or pitcher, plus your hands, a washcloth, a bath brush or bath gloves for lathering.
- Cotton balls to help keep water out of the ears, if your dog tolerates them. Take them out after the bath.
- Several towels, plus one for the floor.
- Small, soft treats, especially for a nervous dog.
For easier lathering, our Dog Bath Brush with Soap Dispenser has a reservoir you fill with diluted pet shampoo and soft silicone bristles for massaging it in. Our Silicone Pet Grooming Gloves do a similar job with scrubbing nubs, which some dogs prefer to a brush. Rinse and air-dry either one after use.
Step 1: Brush your dog first
This is the step people skip, and it makes the biggest difference. AKC recommends brushing thoroughly before a bath to remove loose hair, dirt and mats, because mats tighten when they get wet and become much harder to work out. A pre-bath brush also means less hair in your drain.
For most coats, a slicker brush handles loose fur on the surface. Our Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush has pins that retract at the push of a button so you can clear the hair off quickly. For double-coated dogs that shed heavily, an Undercoat Rake for Dogs helps lift loose undercoat; work slowly and never pull through a knot. Brush gently with the direction of hair growth, and leave tight mats near the skin to a groomer or vet rather than cutting them yourself.
Step 2: Set up the tub and check the water
Put the non-slip mat down and lay a towel outside the tub. Check that the water is warm, not hot. AKC's guidance is lukewarm to slightly warm, and VCA points out that puppies have thinner skin and may be more sensitive to temperature extremes, so test it on your wrist or elbow.
A soft, low-pressure stream, or a cup or pitcher, is less alarming than a strong shower jet.
Step 3: Wet the coat down to the skin
Start at the shoulders and work back, wetting the coat to the skin; thick coats repel water, so press it in with your hand. Leave the head for last and use a damp washcloth there.
Step 4: Lather gently
Use a moderate amount of shampoo and work it through to the skin. Wash everywhere: belly, under the tail, legs, paws, under the neck and around (not inside) the ears. On long coats, AKC suggests working the lather in the direction the hair grows to avoid tangles. Keep shampoo out of the eyes, nose, mouth and ear canals. AKC's puppy guide notes that a dog's ear canal is L-shaped, so water that gets down there can become trapped and contribute to ear infections.
VCA suggests using bath time to check for fleas, ticks and any new lumps or bumps; mention anything new to your vet.
Step 5: Rinse, then rinse again
Leftover shampoo can irritate the skin. AKC's advice: when you think you've rinsed enough, rinse some more. Pay extra attention to the armpits, belly, between the toes and under the tail, where suds hide. The water running off your dog should be completely clear with no slippery feel left in the coat.
Step 6: Dry your dog well
Let your dog shake (stand back), then blot with towels. AKC's shampoo guide recommends blotting rather than rubbing, which is gentler on long coats. Dry inside the ear flaps and the folds of the skin with a towel or cotton ball, without pushing anything into the ear canal.
If you use a hair dryer, AKC recommends a warm, gentle setting held at least a foot away from the skin. Otherwise, keep your dog in a warm room until they're completely dry, which matters more in cold weather.
Shake hairy towels out outdoors before washing; our Pet Laundry Hair Remover can help catch hair in the washing machine, and How to Remove Dog Hair from Laundry has more ideas.
How to bathe a dog that hates water
If your dog runs at the sound of the tub, forcing the issue usually makes the next bath worse. AKC's advice for dogs who are scared of the bath describes a slower approach: make the bathroom and the tub ordinary, rewarding places before any water is involved. A practical version looks like this:
- Visit the bathroom without a bath. Go in, offer a treat, and leave. Repeat over several days.
- Treats in a dry tub. Lift or invite your dog into the empty tub on the non-slip mat, give several treats, and lift them out while they're still calm.
- Add running water away from the dog. Turn the tap on while you keep feeding treats, without wetting them.
- Wet the paws, then the legs, then the body, over separate short sessions. If your dog gets stressed, go back to the last easy step.
- Add shampoo and a full rinse once wetting is easy.
A few more things help. VCA's puppy bath tips suggest high-value treats and a smear of something tasty on the tub or shower wall to keep a dog busy; a lick mat can do the same job. Make sure anything you use is free of xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. Trimmed nails help a dog keep their footing on the mat. A second person to hand out treats helps too. If your dog panics no matter what, ask your vet or a professional trainer for a plan rather than pushing through.
Shop the bath-day basics
You'll find our grooming tools in the Fluffy Grooming collection, and laundry and hair helpers in Cleanup Crew.
FAQ: How to bathe a dog at home
Can I use human shampoo on my dog?
VCA advises against it. Dog skin has a different pH from human skin, and shampoo made for people, including baby shampoo, can be too harsh. Use a shampoo made for dogs, or the product your veterinarian prescribes.
How often should I bathe my dog?
It depends on coat, lifestyle and health. VCA says most dogs need a bath only when dirty or smelly, and that non-shedding breeds usually need one every six to eight weeks. Bathing too often can dry out the skin, especially in winter.
Should I brush my dog before or after a bath?
Before matters most. AKC recommends brushing before bathing to remove loose hair and mats, which get tighter when wet.
How do I keep water out of my dog's ears?
Wash the head last with a damp washcloth instead of pouring water over it, and consider cotton balls in the ears if your dog tolerates them, removing them afterward. Dry the ear flaps with a towel without pushing anything into the canal.
This article is for general information and isn't veterinary advice. If you think your pet has eaten something harmful, contact your veterinarian or a pet poison helpline right away. Questions about an order? Email us at suoyusophie@gmail.com or see our FAQ.