From their cute button noses to the tips of their tails, we want to do everything we can to keep our puppies well-maintained, presentable, and healthy. As part of a pet wellness routine, we take them to the vet, keep them up-to-date on vaccinations, and love them every day.
One way to express gratitude to your puppy is to give them a full home spa experience. Whether it’s your puppy’s “gotcha” day, Valentine’s Day, or just a random Tuesday, you don’t need to wait for a special occasion to spoil your puppy with love and affection with a spa treatment for dogs at home.
Learn how to give your pooch some posh treatment with a DIY home spa day for dogs.
How Winter Temperatures Can Affect Your Puppy’s Skin & Paws
When the weather outside is frightful from torrential downpours to soaring or plummeting temperatures, a doggy spa day is perfect for days where you have to stay inside.
Wintertime can bring dry air and negatively affect your puppy’s skin just like you might experience during this season. A spa day for your dog can help restore common winter dog skin problems and make them feel better overall. Check for itchy “hot spots,” flaky skin, or excessive licking and pawing at irritated places. Allergies may be present with dust mites or mold when trapped indoors.
Your puppy’s paw pads can suffer cracks, cuts, irritation, and burns from chemicals like salt and the sharp edges of ice. Wet fur left to dry after being in snow can cause their coats to mat and tangle, causing skin issues if not brushed regularly. A spa day will allow you to see what effects winter has on your puppy’s well-being.
Benefits of a Dog Spa Day For You & Your Puppy
DIY dog grooming at home is a great way to promote overall health and bonding. Here are some benefits of a spa day for dogs you and your puppy can experience:
- Build connection by bonding with your puppy
- Check for medical issues like allergy hot spots, fleas and ticks, hidden infected spots, and problematic lumps
- Assess how their mouths look to determine dental care needs
- See the condition of their paws
- Improve circulation
- Lower your puppy’s stress levels
- Contribute to your puppy feeling and looking its best
Get Ready to Pamper Your Pooch
A proper doggy spa day should be prepared for instead of just winging it for a smoother, more relaxing experience for both of you. Here are some tips for success when planning a spa day for your puppy.
Pick an optimal time
Allow enough time to complete the steps that comprise your pet spa day without rushing or skipping steps. Think about a block of personal time you have that also fits your daily puppy routine. It’s best to begin when your puppy has been fed, relieved themselves, and has been exercised. You can also pay attention to your puppy’s mood. If your puppy is antsy or distracted, consider breaking it up into a few smaller sessions rather than one long session.
Gather your supplies
There’s nothing worse than trying to wrangle a wet dog as you search desperately for that towel you thought you put right next to you. Think about each step you’ll take and what you’ll need to complete it. Lay out all your equipment for easy access, and set up little stations if you need to access different spots in your home. Check to see if you have enough conditioner left in the bottle and purchase what you need to restock beforehand.
Create a relaxing environment
Just like for humans, the environment for pampering needs a certain ambiance for relaxation. Wouldn’t you also like to be pampered in a calm setting with low lighting and soft music playing? Music is therapeutic for dogs by helping to reduce heart rate and reducing the stress hormone cortisol. If you are going to make the room smell great, be careful with essential oils, as some diffused essential oils are toxic for dogs like wintergreen, citrus, and peppermint. Instead, consider pet-safe room sprays. Minimize as many distractions as possible to help your puppy relax and focus.
How to Spoil Your Puppy With a Doggy Spa Day
After you’ve picked the best time, gathered your supplies, and set the tone with a calm environment, it’s time to begin!
Massage
Touching your puppy all over in a soothing way helps them calm down and enjoy the experience. If you’re wondering how to massage your puppy, we have some tips that may be handy – pun intended.
Gentle pressure feels good without being too much. Remember, you’re not trying to give a deep tissue massage. Use soft, circular motions with the pads of your fingers and alternate with long strokes. Start massaging at your puppy’s head and move down their body, getting the neck, shoulders, back, and front and back legs.
Face
After the full body massage, go back to the beginning again to focus on their cute little faces. Use specialty wipes to clean their eyes and nose, checking for any infection or irritation and removing crusties. You can use a little bit of balm on the tips of their noses to keep them supple.
Ears
Each dog breed has unique ears, from a French Bulldog or Chihuahua’s bat-like ears that stand on top of their heads to the long, velvety ears of a Basset Hound or Cocker Spaniel. Ears can be a breeding ground for trapped bacteria, yeast, wax, and hair. If hair is present, pluck it out to clear the ear canal. Specialty powders and cleaners can be used with cotton balls. Be sure to give plenty of massages around the base of the ears to make cleaning your dog’s ears as enjoyable as possible.
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Paws & nails
Now it’s time to give your puppy a “pawicure!” A puppy’s paws can take a beating. They’re a magnet for dirt, grime, bacteria, and yeast. You can keep your puppy’s feet healthy and strong by regular inspection and quick treatment if you see issues with their nails and paws.
Paw care for dogs is also another vital part of a puppy’s overall well-being. Some people might not realize that long nails on a dog are not just an aesthetic issue – it can also cause severe health problems. Untrimmed nails can be uncomfortable. Ingrown nails can cause infections if left untreated. Nails that are too long and cracked, irritated, or scraped paws can affect a puppy’s gait and balance. If your puppy’s paws smell like corn chips, a harmless bacteria called Pseudomonas and Proteus give off a yeasty odor. While this is not a cause for concern due to odor alone, watching out for irritated spots may indicate if you need to call your vet.
Start by wiping off paws with a pet-safe wipe, removing any dirt or debris from their pads and under their nails. If you choose to trim your dog’s nails yourself, you can choose manual clippers with a protective guard to keep from nicking the quick, or you can opt for an electric or battery powered nail trimmer. Some people like to shave the fur from the paw pads and trim up the paws if you have that skill.
Once your puppy’s nails and paws are looking trim, use some soothing paw balm designed just for pets to keep their pads supple.
Brush those pearly whites
Proper dental care for dogs is another vital part of their overall health. Maintaining pearly whites is more than just for looks. If left untreated, dental issues in puppies can cause crooked, crowded, broken, or abscessed teeth. Not only are these painful for your puppy, but these conditions can also cause serious health problems like periodontal disease, even affecting vital organs.
Start by using a silicone sheath or toothbrush designed for dogs and pet-safe toothpaste. You can even choose a fun flavor like peanut butter that your puppy will enjoy. Some people also use coconut oil. Your veterinarian or groomer will be able to recommend a protocol they like. Gently grab their mouth and lift up or pull down their lips depending on which side you’re working on. Brush the front teeth and work your way back to the molars from the right and left side and top to bottom. Use gentle, circular motions to cover the outer and inner part of each tooth.
Brush your puppy
Brushing or combing your puppy can be a delightful sensory experience for your puppy. Your dog will feel loved, their circulation will improve, and you will keep their coats healthy. Redistribution of natural oils causes a glossy sheen, and removing tangles, dirt, and debris helps prevent painful mats and dreading.
Select the right brush or comb for your dog by considering your puppy’s coat type and how much he sheds. Dogs with wire-haired coats will use a method called hand-stripping or plucking rather than using a brush to remove dead hairs.
Begin brushing gently on their head in the direction of their hair growth, down and out from their skin. Avoid brushing against how their hair grows because that can be painful for your dog. Whether you use a curry brush, a deshedding rake, or a metal comb, working your dog’s coat from tip-to-tail is a relaxing sensation.
Rub-a-dub-dub
After a thorough brushing session, it’s time for a bath! Pick out a shampoo and conditioner for your dog’s coat type. For example, use sensitive formulas if your dog is prone to skin conditions, or use a deshedding formula if your dog has a thick double coat with a coarse, outer layer and soft, downy inner layer.
Start by wetting down your dog with a handheld shower head or a cup of water. Use water that is slightly warmer than room temperature, but don’t use steaming hot water. Apply the recommended amount to your hand and rub the shampoo over the back and down the legs, also getting the sanitary area and tail.
Some groomers recommend diluting the shampoo in a little bowl of water to help it spread more evenly. You can also use a loofah, gloves, or a silicone brush to help distribute the suds. For extra dirty dogs, you may shampoo and rise twice.
Rinse your puppy and apply conditioner according to the directions. Rinse out the conditioner and get your towel ready!
Many dogs will get the zoomies after a bath, darting around and trying to play with the towel. Others will gently wait for another puppy massage.
Some dogs are used to a blow dryer, while others are not. It all depends on your dog’s coat type and temperament, and prior exposure to loud noises and tools. If you do blow dry your puppy, be sure to use a slightly warm or cool setting instead of the hot air blasting against their skin.
Treat time
There’s just one more step left in your spa treatment – delicious food! Occasional treats are a great way to reward your puppy for a job well done. You can give them store bought treats, make DIY dog treats, or serve them a full dinner of foods that are safe for dogs. Be sure not to skip this step, as they will associate spa day as a positive experience when delectable treats are involved!
Keep it flexible
Not all spa days have to feature all of these components. Even if you are short on time, you can still have a meaningful spa day. You can freshen up your puppy with a good brushing, paw and face wiping, and some doggy cologne if you don’t have the time, space, or comfort level to give your dog a full bath or even trim their nails. You can also do these steps in any order that makes sense for you.
Pamper a Pawrade Puppy
“Wow!” you’re thinking. “A spa day with my puppy sounds like so much fun! Wait – I don’t have a puppy yet! Where can I find puppies for sale near me?”
Our experienced team members work with reputable breeder partners to provide puppies for sale who would love a DIY home spa day. All you’ll need to worry about during the secure adoption process is which bow or bandana you will pick out for your new puppy. Contact us today to find a pooch to pamper!
