Course 04 · Bathing · Lesson 12 of 12

What comes after the bath, before drying starts?

Published 29 October 2026 · Updated 29 October 2026 · About 5 minutes · General information only. This lesson does not diagnose or treat any condition.

After the bath, before drying starts, the dog should have excess water squeezed gently from the coat, be wrapped in a towel, have ears and skin checked, and be moved to a warm, draught-free drying area, so drying starts promptly and the dog does not chill. The moments after a bath are when a dog is most likely to shake, slip, escape wet through the house, or become cold, and a planned transition prevents all three. Drying should not be an afterthought that begins after the handler has tidied the bathroom, since a wet dog loses heat quickly and a damp coat can tangle as it dries. The transition should be rehearsed, with towels ready, the drying area prepared, and the handler staying with the dog throughout.

How do you remove excess water safely?

Remove excess water by squeezing the coat gently with hands, working from the body toward the ends, in the direction the hair lies, rather than rubbing vigorously, which creates tangles. For a long coat, squeeze sections gently, starting at the skin and moving outward, and for a double coat, press gently to release water from the undercoat. Let the dog shake once, in the bath or shower, where water is contained, and stand back or hold a towel loosely over the dog. Do not wring the coat, do not twist sections, and do not rub the coat in circles. Gentle squeezing removes a surprising amount of water, and it leaves the coat in a condition that towels and airflow can finish, rather than a tangled mass that drying must undo.

How do you towel wrap and check the dog?

Wrap the dog in a large, absorbent towel, patting gently rather than rubbing, and covering the body while leaving the head free to breathe. Check the ears by drying the outer flap gently, check the skin for any findings that bathing revealed, and check paws and belly for dampness and debris. If the dog is shivering, wrap it more warmly and move it to the drying area promptly, since shivering indicates chilling. Offer calm praise and a treat if the dog will take one, and let it settle for a moment in the towel before drying begins. The towel wrap is both a drying step and a calming step, since a wrapped dog is warmer, drier and less likely to shake water through the house.

How do you move to the drying area?

Move to a warm, draught-free drying area that has been prepared in advance, with a non-slip mat, towels and, if used, a dryer ready. Carry a small dog with support under the chest and rear, and walk a large dog on a lead or with a hand on its collar, guiding it directly to the drying area without letting it run through the house. Lay a towel on the floor of the drying area, and keep doors closed so the dog cannot escape to a cold room or outside while damp. The drying area should be the same place each time, so the dog learns that the bath ends with drying in a familiar, warm spot. A prompt, calm move prevents chilling, slipping and a wet trail through the home.

What should not happen between bath and drying?

Between bath and drying, the dog should not be left unattended, put outside, put on bedding, or left in a cold or draughty room while damp. It should not be brushed vigorously while soaking wet, since wet hair breaks and tangles, and it should not be left to air dry in a heap, since that creates tangles and leaves the undercoat damp. The handler should not tidy the bathroom, answer a phone or leave the dog while it is wet, since a wet dog can slip, chill or escape in a moment. Drying should start within minutes of the bath ending, with towels first and then airflow if used, and it should continue until the coat is dry to the skin. The transition is short, but it matters, and it should be treated as part of the bath, not as a break from it.

What does a workable checklist look like?

1. Squeeze coat gently, direction of growth, no rubbing or wringing. 2. Let dog shake in bath or shower, towel wrap and pat dry. 3. Check ears, skin, paws and belly. 4. Move promptly to warm, draught-free drying area, non-slip mat ready. 5. Start towel drying at once, do not leave dog damp or unattended.

What are the limits of this lesson?

The post-bath transition cannot fix a bath that has revealed a skin or ear problem, and it cannot make drying safe for a dog that panics at dryer noise or airflow. If the dog is shivering uncontrollably, in pain, bleeding, or showing ear or skin signs, seek vet help rather than continuing with drying as normal. If the dog cannot be dried safely at home, a groomer with suitable equipment should take over. Do not use high heat, do not dry a distressed dog with forceful airflow, and do not leave a coat damp on the assumption it will dry on its own. The transition is a bridge to drying, and drying itself needs the care covered in the next course.

A prompt, gentle move from bath to towel to warm drying area keeps the dog warm, calm and tangle free, and it turns the end of the bath into the start of a drying routine that actually finishes the job.

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