Hi Everyone, brand new to labradorsite and labradors in general. We got our puppy on Tuesday night (8 weeks old) he seems very large for 8 weeks ha, What I am wondering is whether or not you actually bath puppies or not? if so how often etc? Thanks in advance. Michael
Re: Puppy Baths??? If the breeder hasn't already bathed the pup, I usually give it a quick once over when I get it home. The reason for this is twofold. Firstly I like to remove much of the old scent, to make the pup more "neutral" to my other dogs and cats and secondly, because I think it's a learning experience for them and one which is learnt bst when they aren't huge, heavy and very wriggly . I can't say I bath my Labs more than once or twice a year though and even then that's only as a treat because they love it so much. Too much bathing takes away all the oils in their coats and can leave them itchy, so for this breed, it's best kept to a minimum really. 8)
Re: Puppy Baths??? Not really about baths but I thought I'd share something I've discovered (as a brand new puppy owner).... Our 15 week boy Pongo absolutely LOVES 'the towel game'. He has an old bath-towel which is his favourite chew toy; and when he comes in from the garden all muddy and wet, we get the towel all wrapped around him in a really good (gentle!) tussle on the floor. So we get all his paws and tummy cleaned and dried, he really enjoys it AND he can bite and chew the towel at the same time (instead of chewing my hands, hoorah!). Result is a very clean puppy and minimum amount of mud on the floor. This is the best use of an old towel I've ever found. Admittedly you probably wouldn't offer Pongo's towel to the mother-in-law if she came to stay... it has seen a bit of wear and tear, and has acquired a certain...fragrance... :-\ but all worth it!
Re: Puppy Baths??? There was no choice for us. Molly stank. She had had her 12 litter mates crawling all over her and weeing on her. At the time she fitted neatly into the utility sink. Now I tremble at the thought of bathing her
Re: Puppy Baths??? Bathed Harley the day after we collected her and brought her home. Since then she's been bathed/showered 3/4 times......this is when she us absolutely from playing in mud! Usually we do the same as Rosie - use a towel for every day dirt/mud
Re: Puppy Baths??? I agree with Jules. A bath when they first come home is a good move. It gets rid of the litter smell and gets them acclimatised to baths. After that, only bath when they really need it. Mud will dry and brush out. Small areas of fox poo can be sponged out. Holly only gets a bath when she's had a hypersquirm in a really gloopy cow pat.
Re: Puppy Baths??? Dex flew to us in dubai from Scotland....a bath was a must,he was filthy after being in his box for 10 hours :'( since then in a year ,he's had 4 bath at the groomers when I've taken him to get his claws trimmed/ filed.if he's been to the beach or is really sandy from the desert he gets the hose put over him and a towel down x
Re: Puppy Baths??? Charlie smelled heavenly when I picked him up! Didn't occur to me to give him a bath! He gets shampooed after fox poo, and rinsed if very muddy. He also does hydro though, so goes in the shower (really, really good rinse) as the water has chlorine in it. Nearly every day now.
Re: Puppy Baths??? I have an 8 and a 2 year old Lab and they have never been bathed! A good swim or shower of heavy rain keeps them clean.
Re: Puppy Baths??? Hi Everyone, thank you for the fantastic responses and advice, I will definitely be using the towel which Rosie has recommended, my hands and toes cant take much more of the nibbling already lol. I took Max to the vets yesterday for his first vaccinations and he recommended only when he really needs it, possibly only when he is really dirty as he will clean himself. Thanks Michael
Re: Puppy Baths??? Hi, One thing I forgot to ask the vet. When he was in getting his vaccination we also got his flea and tick dot but on the back of his neck. Can I still bath him straight after that? Thanks Michael
Re: Puppy Baths??? You will need to wait Michael. Odd the vet didn't mention it. I can't recall how long but I normally leave it at least 48 hrs although I can check a package later if no one knows of the top of their head. Its a bit of a pain for a dog who is always in water!!
Re: Puppy Baths??? For advocate (the product I use) it recommends swimming is restricted for 4 days. Looking at this more closely (as I tend to do : ) this restriction is actually because the product is harmful to aquatic environments. The information on the packet does also say the efficacy of the product may be reduced, but some studies show this is not the case. You do need to check the details of the product used.
Re: Puppy Baths??? Hi Mike - yes, the nibbling is a nuisance! The Towel Game is based on the principle of "when he opens his mouth it gets stuffed with a bit of towel". ;D
Re: Puppy Baths??? Why did the vet put a 'spot on' on? I wouldn't put such chemicals on a young pup unless it already had fleas, or you are in a high tick area.
Re: Puppy Baths??? I'm pretty sure we had spot treatment for Riley from our vet since he was a pup. It was adjusted according to his weight.
Re: Puppy Baths??? There are special puppy formulations of dab on treatments safe from 7 weeks if the pup weighs more than 4kgs - Charlie had these too.
Re: Puppy Baths??? Hi, he doesn't have fleas but the vet noticed he, what I could only describe look liked cradle cap but the vet thought it could of been mites and that the spot would ensure if it was they would go but also prevent any future infections. He has come from a working kennel so not sure if there was anything there, they hadn't carried out any treatment for that just worming. Cheers Mike
