You’ve probably had a chance to see a movie or TV show where people are bathing dogs, which seems like a joyous, fun-filled activity for the entire family most of the time. Unfortunately, that image is far from the truth, as bathing your dog in real life often isn’t the positive and fun-packed experience that they show on the big screen.

The first thing you have to realize is that dogs don’t mind being dirty or stinky; in fact, some of them actually enjoy covering their rich fur in mud, dirt, or even dead animals. To some dogs, it’s simply a game. To others, it gives the feeling of complete freedom. And then there are those pooches who are just following their natural instinct to cover their own smell for the sake of camouflage.

Many dogs will even put up a serious fight if they think that it will help them postpone bath time. While watching your favorite actor run after a dog covered in soap through the house might be hilarious, it’s quite the nuisance when you have to do it. And your clawing and wrestling dog, desperately trying to get as far away from you as possible, is also not having the time of their life. Luckily, there are a few simple tricks that can make bathing a pleasant experience for both you and your pup.

The first and most important tip is that you need to enable your dog to associate the activity with something positive. Always make sure to give them treats, toys, and affection. When you want to give them a bath, prepare the treats they like the most or bring their favorite toy to the party, they’ll be much more willing to accept bath time as a fun activity rather than a painful punishment.

The second thing you need to do is ensure you never get water into your dog’s ears. Not only is the sensation quite uncomfortable for them, it’s something that can easily cause health problems. If your dog allows it, you can stuff cotton balls into their ears; if not, you have to be extra careful. Additionally, if you happen to have a pup, start bathing them as soon as possible. That way, they will be less opposed to the experience later on because they will have gotten used to it. If you can teach them to love bath time during their early years, you probably won’t encounter any problems when they are older.

Another thing you need to realize is that not every shampoo has the same effect on every dog. As a matter of fact, some can cause itches or even dry their skin out, so it’s not surprising that some dogs react to shampoo like they’ve seen the devil himself. Instead, opt for milder soaps that clean unwanted odors without stripping away important oils. If you’re unsure which soap would be best for your pup, the safest and easiest thing to do would be to simply take them to the vet.

Proper drying is also very significant. While many dog owners swear by dog blow dryers, the noise and sensation they produce can scare some dogs. Pay special attention to the heat because you definitely don’t want to burn their skin. Toweling is also a good method, but in order to do it right, you need the more absorbent dog towels that can be found in most pet stores. And, of course, you have to be prepared for the inevitable shaking. As a final note, you have to know how often you should wash your dog. Unless your dog has skin problems, there is no specific need to bathe them at a fixed interval. To cut a long story short, bathe them as often as you want to.

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