How To Safely Give a Dachshund a Bath
Oh No! *sniff sniff* – You know the smell. Your Dachshund has just rolled in the most foul-smelling deer poo perfume, just for you. It’s bathtime!
Whether you are a new puppy parent or an experienced Dachshund lover looking for a refresher, it’s important to know How to Safely Give a Dachshund a Bath.
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Table Of Contents
Best Dachshund Bath Supplies:
Bathtime with your Dachshund doesn’t have to be a struggle. With the right tools and supplies, you can turn this not so loved chore into a quick and easy experience for both you and your little long dog.
Here’s a list of must-have bath supplies that will simplify the process.
- 1 Microfiber Towel
- 1 Beach Towel
- Soft Washcloth
- Rinse Cup
- Dog Shampoo
- Dog Conditioner
- Dog Bath Brush
- Soft Dog Treats
Gentle Dog Shampoo: Dachshunds have sensitive skin, so choosing a dog shampoo free of harsh chemicals and fragrances is crucial. Only use shampoos that are designed for dogs, not humans. I love this Dog Shampoo and Conditioner for my doxies.
Microfiber Towel: Wrap your Dachshund in a soft, absorbent microfiber towel after the bath to keep them warm and cozy.
Dog Bath Brush: Using a dog bath brush on your doxie helps shed loose fur, stimulates healthier skin, and promotes a shinier coat.
How Often Should You Give Your Dachshund a Bath?
Avoid bathing your Dachshund too frequently. Your Dachshund doesn’t need a bath more than once a month or even once every couple of months. The exception is if they roll in something super stinky that needs to be washed off pronto.
Washing your Dachshund too frequently can lead to major itchy skin issues. Shampoo and water dries out your doxie’s natural coat oils and changes the pH level of their skin.
Related Post: How To Prevent And Treat Itchy Dachshund Skin Issues
What is the Best Way to Give Your Dachshund A Bath?
Bathtub or Sink? Many folks prefer to give their Dachshund a bath in the kitchen sink for easier access to their dog and bath supplies.
A sink bath for my Dachshund, Reno, worked really well. He was calm and didn’t try to escape or jump out.
On the other hand, my Dachshund, Eko (in the picture above), is full of wiggles and doesn’t like holding still in the bath. Jumping out of a kitchen sink is way too dangerous for little doxies, so I wash Eko in the bathtub.
I can’t say washing a short Dachshund in a deep tub is the most comfortable thing to do, but it keeps my doxie safe.
Bathtime Tip:
If bathing your Dachshund in a deep tub hurts your back, try an elevated dog bathtub instead. Make sure to get one with a tether to keep your doxie safe and secure.
Bathtime Prep:
Before you put your Dachshund in the bath, do the following steps first.
- Set out all of your dog bath supplies ahead of time
- Gate off the room where you are washing your pup
- Lay out a large beach towel on the ground for post-bath drying and rolling time.
Bathing Your Dachshund: Step-By-Step
Dachshunds need to have a positive and safe experience during bathtime in order for things to go smoothly. Follow these steps to ensure your doxie’s bathtime will be a great one.
Long Haired Dachshunds: Brush or comb through your doxie’s hair before the bath to remove any tangles.
Fill it Up:
Fill the bathtub or sink with a couple inches of lukewarm water. Just enough to cover your doxie’s paws is deep enough.
Face Wash:
Start washing your Dachshund’s face first. Add some bath water and a tiny bit of dog shampoo to a soft washcloth and gently clean around your Dachshund’s head, nose, ears, and neck.
Avoid Your Dachshund’s Eyes!
Rinse off the washcloth with clean water and wipe your doxie’s face again. Never pore water on their head, just wipe the soap off with a rinsed cloth.
Positive Reinforcement: Give your pup a small treat and praise them with “Good.”
Don’t use human shampoo. Dog Shampoo is specially formulated for your dog’s fur and skin.
Body Rinse:
Next, rinse your Dachshund’s body by pouring some bath water down their back and under their belly using a rinse cup and your hands. If this gets too tedious, spoil yourself with this awesome pet wand shower sprayer instead!
Body Wash:
Add some dog shampoo to your dog bath brush and gently wash around your doxie’s neck and back. Dog bath brushes do an excellent job of cleaning off dead skin cells and dirt. If you don’t have a bath brush, you can just use your fingers to lather up your pup.
Be extra sensitive around your Dachshund’s belly and arm pits. I like to use a soft washcloth for those areas.
Make sure to wash them everywhere: belly, chest, legs, paws, under the neck, tail, and under the tail too (save that for last).
Dog Shampoo: I’m using the Burt’s Bees puppy shampoo in the video above for Eko’s bath. I also really like the Earthbath Oatmeal Dog Shampoo. It smells amazing!
Body Rinse:
Pull the plug and empty out the dirty dog water. Rinse off all the shampoo from your doxie with clean water from the faucet (lukewarm temperature). Use the rinse cup and your hands with this step to squeegee the shampoo off of your pup’s fur.
Positive Reinforcement: Give your pup a small treat and praise them with “Good.”
Long Haired Dachshunds: Apply dog conditioner to your doxie’s luscious mane. Then, rinse them off thoroughly.
Dry Them Off:
Face First: With a soft towel, dry off your Dachshund’s face, ears, and neck first. Use a couple of soft tissues or cotton balls to gently dry out the inside of their ears if they are wet.
Body: Here comes the fun part! Most Dachshunds will get the crazy zoomies when they are released from their bath. It’s hilarious to watch. As your Dachshund skootches on the grounded beach towel, use your other towel to help dry off their back and sides.
Super Wet Wiener Dog? This Shammy Dog Towel absorbs 5x more water than other towels.
Brush Loose Hair:
Gently brush through your doxie’s coat after their bath. This helps to remove any loose hair and makes them look so shiny!
Positive Reinforcement: Give your pup a small treat and praise them with “Good.”
Take Cover:
Before you let your doxie loose, place some dry clean towels on their favorite chair, couch, and bed so they can continue to wiggle around and dry themselves off. This will help reduce the wet dog smell on your furniture.
Does Your Dachshund Hate Baths? Do This!
If your doxie isn’t a bathtime fan, these tips can help.
Safety Tip Review:
How To Safely Give A Dachshund A Bath
1. Bathe your Dachshund in the bathtub instead of the sink to avoid injury.
2. Always stay with your Dachshund during bathtime.
3. Do two full rinses to get all of the dog shampoo off to prevent skin irritation.
4. Support Your Dachshund’s Back when lifting.
5. Always do your research before taking your doxie to a groomer.
How Do You Give Your Dachshund A Bath? Let Us Know Below.
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