This is a sponsored post, but all opinions are my own.

Have you ever wondered how to give your dog a bath at home? Or more importantly, how to keep it a stress-free experience for your pet? After much trial and error, I’ve finally come up with a routine that works for me and my dog!

Washing your dog at home is necessary to keep your dog healthy and your home clean. My dog loves to find stinky things in the yard and on our walks. It can be close to impossible to prevent her from rolling in something terrible. Like most dogs, she loves flaunting her new perfume and wants nothing more than to spread her signature scent through the house.

Unfortunately for her, that’s not an option. At this point, she knows the rules if she stinks she’s headed straight for the tub! I make sure I prepare my bathroom before she even gets back in the house. I gather up her dog shampoo, towels, and her special treats. Snacks like Milo’s Kitchen® Homestyle Dog Treats are the easiest way to get her in the bathroom without any hesitation. Milo’s Kitchen® Homestyle Dog Treats are made with real beef, chicken or duck as the #1 ingredient and contain no artificial flavors. Milo’s Kitchen® Homestyle Dog Treats are made in Spanish Fork, Utah and Siloam Springs, Arkansas and can be found at your local Walmart. If you are anything like me, I know you believe in feeding your pup delicious, high-quality ingredients!

These tips show you how to give your dog a bath at home.

1. Start Bath Time With a Special Treat

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My dog, like most dogs, is not a fan of bath time. I used to have the hardest time getting her into the bathroom. Now, I gently coax her in with a special treat, like Milo’s Kitchen® Homestyle Dog Treats. This helps make bathing your dog at home a positive experience. Once she is in the door, I place the treat in the empty bath. When I place her in the tub, she gets to enjoy her treat.

2. Gently Soak Your Dog

The worst thing you could do is dump your dog into a full tub of water. This will be shocking and upsetting to them. The best way to bathe your dog is to make sure the water is a very mild, lukewarm temperature. I use a handheld shower attachment when I can, or a large plastic cup or bin. Slowly soak your dog while rubbing the water into its coat.

3. Start Washing Your Dog at the Backside

Most dogs love a good back scratch, they always seem to be itchy there! I make sure I apply dog shampoo to the back and work it to the underneath. I really scrub it in so she feels like she is getting an amazing back rub as I loosen the trapped dirt and debris. I always leave her head until last and take care not to get water or soap anywhere near her eyes or nose.

4. After Bathing Your Dog Rinse Thoroughly

When you know your dog has had enough, it can be tempting to rush through rinsing them thoroughly. This is a bad idea if shampoo is not rinsed it can irritate sensitive skin, making your dog uncomfortable. As a general rule of thumb, I make sure to rinse my dog head to toes, at least three times. If you choose to use a conditioner, rinse until the fur no longer feels slimy or slick.

5. Have Fun Drying Your Dog

My dog loves when bath time is over and it is time to get dry. I make a game out of it and place as many beach towels as I can on the floor of the bathroom. If you have a large dog, you can do the same in a larger room. I keep one towel for myself to play peek a boo with her as I dry her. She loves to roll on the towels and bury herself between them. When she is dry enough, I praise her and give her another special treat.