How to Bathe a Clumsy Dog
If your dog is clumsy, try bathing it outside where it can't make a mess. However, you can also bathe the dog in a bathtub with a non-slip mat if you prefer to do it inside. Before you get started, brush your dog to remove loose tangles, fur, and dirt. Then, secure your dog by tying it on a leash or asking someone to help you hold it in place. Next, wet your pup with warm water and rub dog shampoo into its fur, keeping the soap out of the dog's eyes. Then, rinse your dog using warm water. Finally, use a towel to dry off your freshly bathed dog.
Give your dog a bath outside. A clumsy dog will inevitably create a mess in your house during bath time. Bathing your clumsy dog outdoors instead of inside is a great way to help minimize the damage done to your home. But make sure you only bathe your dog outside when the weather permits. If it is too cold or raining, you should probably forego this option. Brush your dog. It is important to brush your dog out before you give it a bath. This will help remove any loose fur and to get rid of any troublesome tangles in your dog's hair. Brushing your clumsy dog beforehand will also help make bath time easier because you won't have to fight with the tangles in your dog's fur while they are wet. Aim to brush your dog's coat at least once a week so its hair doesn't get matted. Secure your dog. If you are giving your dog a bath outside, make sure to do it safely. Your dog should be contained somehow so that they cannot run away. You would probably feel terrible if your dog was scared from the bath and ran away from home. You can try to bathe your dog in a fenced-in yard. Or you could tie your dog's leash to something sturdy so it can't get away. Take the proper precautions. When washing your pet, it is important to follow some basic guidelines to help keep your pet safe and happy. You don't want to do anything to unintentionally make your pet uncomfortable during bath time. Make sure you keep the water and the shampoo out of your pet's eyes and ears. Exposure to these elements can sting your pet's eyes and make them feel pain. During the bath, use warm water instead of water that is too hot or too cold. These extreme temperatures could hurt your pet, but they will definitely cause discomfort. Use right amount of shampoo. Using too much shampoo can cause excess suds that get into your pet's eyes and ears more easily, or cause extra slippery surfaces that can be dangerous for your pet. Use 1-4 tablespoons of shampoo, depending on the size of your dog. Wash your dog. Use the hose to get your dog's fur damp with water. Pour some dog shampoo in your hand and begin lathering up your dog's wet fur. Work it into the fur well, starting from its behind and working toward the head. Be careful to keep the shampoo out of your dog's eyes and ears. After you are done lathering the shampoo, use the hose to gently rinse the soap suds out of your dog's coat. Be careful to keep a firm grip on your dog so it doesn't get scared and jerk away. Towel dry your dog. Since you are outside, let your dog shake the excess water out. And then towel dry your dog so that it will be dry and comfortable sooner. Gently rub the towel on your dog's coat to help remove the extra water. Make sure there is no water left in your dog's ears when towel drying, as this can lead to infection. Use a nonslip surface. To make bath time safer and easier for your clumsy dog, you should use some kind of nonslip surface. This will ensure that your pup won't slip and hurt itself in the slick bathtub or on the wet bathroom floor. Try using one of those nonslip bathmats that go inside of bathtubs. Or you could place a towel inside the bathtub and one on the floor just outside of the tub. Place your dog in the tub. Pick up your dog and gently place it in the tub. Make sure your dog is face down so that it can stand on its feet in a comfortable position during bath time. If you have a small enough dog, you can bathe it in the kitchen sink instead of the bathtub. Just make sure your pup fits safely in the sink. You can also get in the shower with your dog to bathe it so you don't have to worry about trying to stay dry during the process. Shampoo your dog. Put some dog shampoo in your hand and begin lathering it all over your dog's coat. Gently work the soap into the fur. Speak gently to your dog while you are doing this to reassure it during this time that it is probably uncomfortable. Make sure you use dog shampoo when giving your dog a bath because it will not dry out your dog's skin and coat like people shampoo will. Rinse your dog. Use the shower head to gently rinse the shampoo out of your dog's coat. Use your hand to help clean the hair. Make sure that the water pressure isn't too forceful as this could make your dog uncomfortable. If the shower head is too startling for your dog, you can rinse it off using a cup. Fill the cup with water and pour it over your dog's soapy coat. Use your hand to help get the suds out. Repeat this until all the shampoo is out of your dog's coat. Towel dry your dog. Take your dog out of the tub and use a towel to lightly dry the dog off so it isn't just dripping wet. Don't rub the dog too hard with the towel. Be just firm enough to help remove some of the excess water. Some people like to use blow dryers on their dog after a bath, but the noise and sensation can be startling to some dogs. So it is probably best to just towel dry your clumsy dog. Take your dog to the groomer. If your dog is very clumsy and you don't want to deal with bath time yourself, you can take your dog to the groomer and pay for them to bathe your dog. If you can afford it, this is a great way to minimize the hassle of bathing a clumsy dog while still ensuring that your dog gets bathed regularly. Of course, this might not be an option for everyone. Remember that you will have to pay the groomer to bathe your dog for you. Have your vet bathe your dog. You might consider having your dog professionally bathed at your veterinarian's office if your dog is especially clumsy and difficult to handle. Again, this is an option you will be required to pay for, so you should consider your financial situation before you decide on this course of action. This option might be especially helpful for you if your dog is unreasonably hard to handle during bath time. Ask a friend to help you. Sometimes you just need an extra set of hands to help you while you bathe your clumsy dog. If you have a friend present, they can help steady your dog, help minimize the mess, and help your dog feel more secure during the entire process. This should be a trusted friend that your dog is already comfortable around. Otherwise, your dog will be made more nervous by the stranger and it may act even more clumsily than usual. 
Give your dog a bath outside. Brush your dog. Secure your dog. Take the proper precautions. Wash your dog. Towel dry your dog. Use a nonslip surface. Place your dog in the tub. Shampoo your dog. Rinse your dog. Towel dry your dog. Take your dog to the groomer. Have your vet bathe your dog. Ask a friend to help you. 