How Do You Bathe a Dachshund? (Step By Step)

Oh no! Do you smell it? Your dachshund got into some trouble or rolled in poo and is now smelling really bad! It’s about to bathe your little pooch. 

Grooming dachshunds can be a fun thing to do, especially on a sunny day. It’s relatively easier to bathe a dachshund because they have little to no shedding. 

Whether you’re a new dachshund parent or an experienced one – there’s always going to be one question on your mind. How do you bathe a dachshund? 

Dog shampoo, conditioner, a towel, a brush, and dog treats are needed for bathing a dachshund. 

Dachshunds might have short or long hair, but the grooming needs are very basic. You can bathe your dachshund at home by following some easy steps. 

Now, let’s take a quick look at their grooming needs and the steps for bathing your munchkin. 

Grooming Needs of a Dachshund 

Nobody wants their dachshund’s hair to be unmanageable, matted, or unhealthy. They ought to be groomed the right way. 

Most sausage dogs don’t have long hair. The short hair needs a lot more care as it can shed too often. Also, all sorts of things might stick to the short hair, so you would need to keep a close watch. 

1. Short hair dachshunds

A short-hair dachshund doesn’t have major grooming needs. Use a soft-bristle brush to brush their coat. However, you need to ensure that nothing sticks on their coat. 

2. Long hair dachshunds 

Long hair or wired hair dachshunds need regular brushing. Their coat is prone to matting and a regular brush won’t be able to handle it.

If the matting is severe, you would need to cut the hair. Some pet parents can actually sort them out using their hands too. 

Now that you are aware of the grooming needs of a dachshund, it’s about time that we talk about their bathing needs. 

How often should you bathe them? Should you bathe them in a sink or a tub? We have so much more to share! 

Sink or Bathtub: What’s better? 

It really depends on what your dachshund likes. Some dachshunds don’t mind bathing in a kitchen sink, and others can jump out of it. 

When you put a dachshund in a sink, it’s easy to access all the grooming supplies. Moreover, the tap water keeps running and makes the process easier. 

If your dachshund is too wiggly and doesn’t like baths, you can put them in a bathtub. This way even if they jump out, they won’t get hurt. 

Whether it’s a sink or a tub – both are good. It depends on your dog’s personal choice and tolerance level. 

The question is – How do you give them a bath? The next section will highlight the step-by-step method of giving a bath to a dachshund. 

Steps of Bathing a Dachshund 

First of all, you need to prepare everything. 

Get the dog supplies – don’t rush for them later on. Once everything is in place, lock the gate so that your dachshund doesn’t run away. 

Lay a beach towel on the ground so that any splashes are soaked and your dachshund doesn’t create a watery mess. 

Step 1 – Fill up the sink or the bathtub with warm water. 

A couple of inches of water would be enough to bathe your dachshund. Just make sure that it will cover your pooch’s paw. 

Step 2 – Wash the face 

Put some water and shampoo in a washcloth and start washing the face. Gently clean the nose, ears, head, and neck. 

Make sure you don’t fiddle with their eyes. Although dog-friendly shampoos are safe, they should not go in the eyes of your pooch. 

Step 3 – Never ever pour water on the head 

Use clean water to rinse off the shampoo on your dog’s face. However, don’t pour water on the head. Use a rinsed cloth to clean the face. 

Step 4 – Rinsing the body 

Now drench their body with water and use shampoo to clean the entire length. Don’t forget to rinse the belly region too. 

If your dachshund is being a handful, give them some treats and say, ‘Good baby!’

Step 5 – Use a dog bath brush 

Dog bath brushes are great for rinsing off dirt and dead skin cells. In case you don’t have a bath brush, use your fingers and start doing a massage-like movement. 

Note: You must use dog conditioner so that their coat doesn’t dry out. Some pup parents use it and others don’t. We recommend you to put conditioner on their coat. 

Step 6 – Pulling out the plug and rinsing with clean water 

The next thing you need to do is pull out the plug of the sink or the tub and let the water drain out. Now, you would need clean water to rinse the body. 

Use the faucet in this case. You can use your hands to squeeze out all the remaining shampoo in their coat. 

Step 7 – Let’s dry up your pooch

Use a soft and dry towel to pat-dry the face of your dachshund. There’s a chance your dachshund might perform a crazy zoomie after they are released, but this is great because they will release all their energy. 

Use the towel to pat-dry and let them bask in the sun. 

Step 8 – Brush ‘em up 

Once your pupper is dry and happy, brush their coat so that you can get rid of any loose hair. 

The grooming needs of a dachshund aren’t complicated, but you need to do the basics to keep their coat shiny and healthy. 

How often should you bathe a dachshund? 

Your dachshund doesn’t need a bath on a regular basis. They need a bath once every two months and not more than that. 

There’s just one exception: if your dachshund soils their coat, you would need to give them a good bath. 

If you give a bath to your dachshund too often, it will give rise to all kinds of skin issues. Too much water and shampoo can dry out their coat and cause irritation of the skin.

Usually, people bathe their dachshunds once in every three months, but once in two months is feasible. 

When you wash your dachshund too much, it diminishes the natural oils and damages the coat. 

Getting Your Dachshunds Coat All Shiny

If you want your dachshund to have a shiny and healthy coat, make sure their diet is proper. A nutritious diet and good eating habits will give your dachshund a shiny coat. Moreover, you need the right shampoo and conditioner too. 

A bad diet can affect the dachshund’s coat. Make sure you add foods that are rich in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. 

Also, you should ensure that your dachshund doesn’t bathe too much. Once in two months is more than enough. In case they roll in poop or get into a fight, you might need to bathe them earlier. 

Top 4 Shampoos for Dachshunds

Here’s a quick list of the top 4 shampoos for dachshunds. They’re going to need a special shampoo – both short-haired and long-haired dachshunds. 

1. Healthy breed chamomile oatmeal and aloe shampoo for dogs 

Here’s a good shampoo for your dachshund. It has the goodness of oatmeal, chamomile, and aloe. 

Your little one will have a relaxing and soothing bath with this shampoo since it will ease all irritable or itchy symptoms.  

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2. Mighty Petz 2-in-1 shampoo for sensitive skin 

If your pooch’s skin is sensitive, you might want to purchase this shampoo for them. It helps in moisturizing dry and itchy skin. 

Dachshunds might get itchy and dry skin at times, so pet parents should consider this solution. This one’s a two-in-one shampoo. It works as a shampoo as well as conditioner. The pricing is just right! 

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3. Burt’s Bees for dogs’ shampoo 2-in-1

Looking for a 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner for your pooch? Say no more! You can try Burt’s Bees dog shampoo. It is made with high-quality ingredients and is 100% safe. The shampoo softens your dachshund’s coat. 

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4. Arm & Hammer Pet Vanilla Oatmeal Coconut shampoo 

Arm & Hammer is offering a very fragrant and efficient oatmeal vanilla and coconut shampoo. It smells great, so your pooch will be smelling like a walking cake. The solution helps in moisturizing the skin and gives a soothing effect too. 

Top 2 Conditioners for Dachshunds 

Most shampoos are 2-in-1 but just in case you need a conditioner for your pooch, refer to this quick list. 

1. Burt’s Bees Dog Conditioner – Burt’s Bees makes the best shampoos and conditioner for dogs. You can expect quality products from this particular brand! 

2. Tropiclean conditioner for pets – This particular product is great for your dachshund as it moisturizes itchy and dry skin.  

Still have queries in your head? Let’s jump to the FAQs section! We have answered all your queries regarding bathing your sausage dog. 

FAQs 

1. How to wash a dachshund? 

A warm and shallow bath is ideal for dachshunds. Wash the entire body with shampoo – feet to neck. Comb the hair right after to not leave any tangles. 

2. What dog supplies are needed for giving a bath to a dachshund?

You need a dog shampoo and conditioner for washing your dachshund. Keep a towel, treats, and your dog’s brush in the bathroom/backyard. Bath time will be a lot easier with these supplies by your side. 

3. Why is my dachshund smelling fishy?

The reason your dachshund is smelling fishy is because of anal gland problems. Check their anus – if it’s swollen or has a full sac, you need to get it checked. Build-up fluid could lead to a fishy smell. 

4. How often should you bathe a wired hair dachshund?

Once a month is enough. However, you should brush their coat regularly to avoid matting. 

5. Are dachshunds’ excellent swimmers?

Dachshunds can never be an excellent swimmer as they have wee legs. They can indulge in land activities and not water activities. 

Make sure they don’t swim for too long as it may tire them off exceedingly. 

6. How do I know if my dachshund needs a bath?

If your dachshund is stinking or has soiled its coat, it’s a sign that they need a bath. Dachshunds need a bath once a month. Giving them a bath every week will damage their coat. 

7. Do dachshunds like water?

Dachshunds don’t naturally love water. However, they might start liking it if they are introduced to water at an early age. 

Swimming can be a great exercise for them, but bathing should be limited. 

8. How to take care of a long-haired dachshund?

Use a wired brush to brush their coat regularly. This will help in preventing matting. Moreover, don’t give them too many baths. A good shampoo and conditioner is also needed. 

Concluding Thoughts 

We hope that you found all the answers to your queries. 

Bathing a dachshund can be a joyful experience because it happens once in a month or two months. 

Your sausage dog would need minimal grooming, unless they are long-haired. Make sure you get a good brush for them to keep matting at bay.