Bathing Your Westie Puppy
Proper bathing technique and the right products are essential for maintaining your Westie's beautiful white coat and keeping your puppy comfortable during bath time.
Bathing Philosophy
The goal is to keep your puppy calm and make bath time a positive experience. By following a specific order and using the right products, you can help ensure your puppy won't hate baths.
Recommended Shampoos
Body Shampoo: Fresh & Clean
The breeder uses Fresh & Clean shampoo on the body.
Bathing Order
Do the body first to keep the puppy calm. This helps establish a positive routine and keeps your puppy more comfortable throughout the process.
Head Shampoo: Johnson's No More Tears Baby Shampoo
For the head, use only Johnson's No More Tears Baby Shampoo. This is safe for the eyes in the event that you get shampoo in their eyes.
Important Bathing Sequence
Save the head for last and try to hurry so the puppy will not HATE baths. The head is the most sensitive area, so doing it quickly at the end helps maintain a positive bath experience.
Where to Purchase
You can purchase Fresh & Clean shampoo from:
Johnson's No More Tears Baby Shampoo is available at most drugstores, grocery stores, and online retailers.
General Coat Care
Daily Supplements for Healthy Coat
A healthy coat starts from the inside. The following supplements support coat health:
Coconut Oil
A great supplement for your dog's overall health and especially the coat and joints. Just a half of a teaspoon daily on food or from hand is a healthy treat.
Salmon Oil
Provides the omega 3's/6's necessary for optimal coat and skin. Available on Amazon.com.
Benefits of Coconut Oil
Coconut oil provides extensive benefits for internal health as well as a soft supple coat. The benefits are extensive - research online to learn more about this powerful supplement.
Keeping Items on Hand
Colloidal Silver
The breeder uses Colloidal Silver (available on Amazon) for the occasional booboo/scratches. It works wonders for minor skin issues and healing.
Grooming Supplies
- Fresh & Clean body shampoo
- Johnson's No More Tears Baby Shampoo for head
- Soft towels for drying
- Brush for daily coat maintenance
- Nail clippers or grinder
- Colloidal Silver for minor skin issues
Professional Grooming
While regular at-home bathing and brushing are essential, Westies also benefit from professional grooming every 6-8 weeks to maintain their characteristic look.
Finding a Groomer
Look for a groomer experienced with terrier breeds who understands the Westie coat and breed standard. Ask for recommendations from your breeder or local Westie owners.
What to Ask Your Groomer
- Hand stripping vs. clipping experience
- Familiarity with Westie breed standard
- How they handle anxious or young puppies
- Their approach to nail trimming and ear cleaning
Getting Your Puppy Comfortable with Grooming
Start handling your puppy's paws, ears, and mouth early and often to get them comfortable with physical examinations and grooming procedures.
Positive Body Experiences
Positive body experiences, like nail trims, are an important part of getting your puppy acclimated to stress-free physical examinations. The more you handle your puppy gently and pair it with treats and praise, the easier grooming and vet visits will be throughout their life.
Tips for Success
- Handle paws daily and give treats
- Touch ears and look inside regularly
- Gently open mouth to check teeth
- Brush regularly, even when coat is short
- Keep grooming sessions short and positive
- Always end on a good note with praise and treats