How to Give a Maltipoo a Bath
For puppies that are not used to water, you will want to start slowly and start off in a clean kitchen sink. When you wash out the skin, be sure to not use harsh chemicals, especially bleach...if any residue if left behind this will be terrible for your dog's coat. Cleaning it with antibacterial soap should be just fine. Be sure to have the counters nearby cleaned off of any clutter so that you have plenty room to put down your supplies within arm's reach. You will need:
- A quality canine shampoo
- A quality canine conditioner
- 2 soft wash cloths - 1 for washing and 1 for covering the eyes during rinse off time
- A big absorbent towel to wrap your Maltipoo in immediately after the bath
- Sterile gauze pads - for cleaning the ears (bath time is the best time to do this)
- Tweezers or a small pair of canine ear forceps- To puck out any long, stray hair in the ears; bath time is the best time to do this
- Leave-in conditioner spritz - To work on getting out any tangles from the coat and to add a layer of protection to the hairs
- A wide tooth canine comb sized for toy breeds
Do not fill the sink when your Maltipoo puppy is in it. First, put in the stopper and fill it with warm water, approximately only 3 inches is needed. Test the water with the inside of your wrist to get an accurate feeling for the temperature. Then, gently and while talking in a calm and soothing voice, slowly lower your pup into the water. Be sure to hold onto him or her with one hand at all times until they become used to bath time, this will make them feel safe.
Begin by soaking down the coat. A spray nozzle works best however if your pup is timid, you can use small containers. The Poodle gene part of a Maltipoo will make the hairs partly water-resistant, so it is important to make sure the coat is wet down to the skin before adding shampoo. You can lift up layers and check this.
Once thoroughly wet, add the shampoo and do not be shy. Scrub all areas of the body, not forgetting the genitals, underbelly and tail. Use the wash cloth to gently clean around the eyes. Take care
to not spray water directly into the ears, as excess water in the ear canal can cause medial issues and bacterial infections. (More on this ahead).
An important part of baths is to rinse out the shampoo; any remaining residue will cake into tiny pieces that will blog skin pores. Since shampoo does the job of stripping debris and other elements from the hair strands, you will want to be sure to use a thick, luxurious conditioner that will put moisture and bounce back into the coat.