After a bath, use a clean towel to gently soak up water from your dog's coat, then keep them in a warm, sheltered place while they finish drying. There is no need to rush or rub hard. A dog with a thick coat may need more time and more than one towel.
Set up before the bath ends
Put a dry towel within reach and choose a warm place away from draughts where your dog can stand comfortably. Let your dog shake off water if the area is safe, then start towelling while they are still in the washing area so slippery floors do not become a problem. If your dog is nervous about handling, offer brief pauses and reward calm cooperation rather than holding them still.
Blot the coat in sections
Press the towel gently against the back and sides, then move to the chest, belly, legs and paws if your dog allows it. Work through the coat in manageable sections and replace a saturated towel with a dry one. Avoid vigorous rubbing, especially over tangles or tender skin. A microfibre pet bath towel is one washable option made for drying a dog after bathing; check its listed size against your dog's coat and use extra towels if needed.
Be gentle around the face and ears. Do not put a towel or anything else into the ear canal. If you notice sore skin, a strong ear odour, repeated head shaking or pain when touched, ask your veterinarian for advice rather than trying to clean or treat the area yourself.
Let the coat finish drying in comfort
After towelling, keep your dog somewhere comfortably warm until the coat is dry. Check beneath a thick outer coat rather than assuming the surface tells the whole story. Dogs with different coat types take different amounts of time to dry; avoid leaving a wet dog in a cold or draughty place.
Once a double coat has dried, gentle brushing can remove loosened hair. Use a brush appropriate to your dog's coat and stop if grooming causes discomfort. If matting is close to the skin or you are unsure how to manage it safely, speak to a professional groomer or veterinarian.
If your dog resists drying
Try a shorter towel session, starting on an area your dog is comfortable having touched, then pause and try again. Persistent distress, pain, or skin changes deserve advice from a veterinarian or a groomer experienced with gentle handling. The goal is a dry, comfortable dog, not a perfect grooming session.
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