Bath Time with a Baby AND a Dog: Who Ends Up Wetter?

Bath time with a baby is already its own adventure. Add a dog who is either deeply concerned about what is happening or absolutely determined to participate, and you have an event. A full event. One that requires a mop afterward. Here is how bath time actually goes in a baby-and-dog household.

Part of our series on life with a baby and a dog. Read the full Ultimate Guide to Living with a Baby and a Dog.

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The Moment the Water Turns On

Your dog hears the bathtub faucet. Their relationship with this sound depends entirely on their personal history with bath time. If they love their own baths — unlikely, but possible — they appear immediately, excited and ready to be involved in whatever water activity is happening. If they hate their own baths — far more common — they appear anyway, out of concern for the baby, because this seems dangerous and someone responsible should be present.

The Supervision Phase

The dog positions themselves at the side of the tub or in the bathroom doorway. They are watching. They are assessing. The baby splashing water is either deeply alarming or deeply entertaining — the dog's face suggests they haven't fully decided which. They do not leave. They are not going anywhere until this situation is resolved. The dog is on duty.

The Splashing Incident

The baby splashes. As babies in bathtubs do, with complete commitment and zero awareness of the consequences. Water goes over the side of the tub. The dog, positioned helpfully close to investigate, receives a significant amount of that water directly to the face. The dog's response will be one of two things:

• Option A: Startled retreat followed by immediate return because they are not going to let bath time happen unsupervised regardless of the personal cost
• Option B: Absolutely no reaction whatsoever because this dog has decided that nothing in this household surprises them anymore

The Answer to the Headline Question

You. You end up the wettest. Baby is wet because bath. Dog is wet because proximity. You are wet because you were trying to manage both simultaneously while kneeling on a bath mat in jeans. This was a choice you made. No one forced you. You have now made it seventeen times and you will make it again next bath time. For dog owners who embrace the full beautiful chaos of their household, CyberMutz.com sells gear for the whole wet, wonderful experience.

Tips for Bath Time With a Dog Present

• Give the dog a designated spot in the bathroom — a mat or towel — so they can observe from a safe, slightly drier distance
• Keep all bath products out of reach of both baby AND dog — curious dogs have knocked over and investigated shampoo bottles more than once
• Have a towel ready for the dog as well as the baby — they will need it
• If your dog is genuinely anxious during bath time, give them something to do — a chew or puzzle in another room — so they can decompress while still knowing everything is fine
• Accept that the bathroom floor will be wet. It will always be wet. This is bath time in a baby-and-dog house and it is exactly what it is.

The Post-Bath Phase

Baby is out, wrapped in a towel, smelling amazing. Dog comes in for a closer investigation now that the scary water portion is over. Baby reaches for the dog. Dog sniffs the baby's freshly washed hair with what can only be described as scientific interest. You have never seen either of them look more content.

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