Most Pugs need to be given a bath once every 3 weeks, even if they appear to be clean and smell just fine.
Baths are given at this interval because the body is constantly producing oils that are excreted through the hair follicles. These serve as a natural barrier from external elements and help keep a dog's skin moisturized. But, these do not evaporate; rather, they accumulate. At about the 3-week mark, there is enough body oil on a Pug that skin pores can become blocked and a bad smell can develop if these are not washed away.
A bath, done properly, will effectively wash those oils away without stripping the skin and fur, leaving your Pug with a 'clean slate' that will mark the beginning of the 3-week cycle.
Another thing that happens during a bath is that loose hairs are freed. And, while the same time interval does not apply to this method of removing dead hairs from a Pug's coat as it does in regard to body oils, it can be advantageous for this to occur every 3 weeks since this can decrease the amount of work you do when brushing the coat to keep shedding under control.
Note that you can give your Pug a bath more often than this if the circumstances warrant it; for example, if your Pug rolled around in a muddy puddle or otherwise got so dirty that spot-cleaning won't work or if there are skin issues that require the use of a specialty shampoo.
Where to Give a Pug a Bath
Young puppies, due to their size and possible fear of water, often do best when given a bath in a kitchen sink. Everything should be removed from the sink and it should be cleaned well and rinsed out.
Adult Pugs can also be given baths in a sink, if it is large enough. But, many do best with baths in a bathtub. If the weather is warm enough that an outside water hose will not be too cold, baths can be given outdoors as long as you have a clean area to do so with one option being a small kiddie pool.
Supplies Needed When Giving a Bath
Of course, just wetting a dog down does not qualify as a bath since it won't accomplish the mission of removing body oils, dirt, and debris and applying products that are good for the skin and coat. So, you will need a few things:
1. A brush or mitt for pre-bath grooming.
Since baths will loosen a whole bunch of hairs on this
high-shedding breed, it's a good idea to go over the coat right before you give your Pug a bath. This will help keep the amount of hairs freed during the bathing process to a manageable level.
Though you can use a slicker brush, you may find that a mitt like the
Delomo Enhanced Grooming Glove
makes this much easier. This has 250+ tips that snatch up all loose fur as you go over the body. And, it's great to be able to accomplish this without having to hold onto anything.
2. Shampoo.
The goal is to use something that will cleanse away oils, not just skim over them, and be good for a Pug's skin. At the same time, steer clear of soaping agents as these can be very harsh, causing dryness; instead, opt for plant-based cleansers. Certain additives should be avoided which are known to cause irritation or allergic reactions; this includes synthetic preservatives, parabens, phthalates, sulfates, polyethylene glycol, and artificial perfumes or dyes. In addition, the pH balance should be between 6.5 and 7.5, otherwise it can be damaging to a dog's skin.
A great shampoo for Pugs is
Earthbath Mediterranean Magic Shampoo
which is 100% all-natural, has coconut-based cleansers and organic aloe vera (which are very beneficial for a Pug's skin) and rosemary oil which works as a natural deodorizer to help keep a Pug smelling nice.
3. Wash-out conditioner.
When a dog is given a bath, this triggers the hair cuticles (the protective outer layer) to open up. This is great, since they can be properly cleansed. But, a wash-out conditioner should then be used to smooth these back down. If not, a Pug's fur will be vulnerable to outside elements that can quickly lead to overly dry fur; it will lose its shine and have an unpleasant straw-like texture.
One recommended product is
Earthbath Oatmeal and Aloe Conditioner
which does a great job in smoothing down the hair cuticles and is excellent for keeping the skin and fur properly moisturized.
4. A scrub brush.
This is optional; however, particularly for adult Pugs, you may find this to be very useful. All fawn Pugs and some black Pugs have very dense double-layered coats. It can be very tiring on the hands to work shampoo all the way down through the thick layers of fur to the skin where it needs to do its job. And, a bath brush can be a great way to snag up all of the hairs that typically become loose when Pugs are given baths.
For this, the
Bodhi Dog Pet Shampoo Brush
is fantastic. This has uniquely designed rubber tips that are awesome at latching onto dead hairs while offering a pleasant massage, a slip-through hand guide so that your hand doesn't cramp up, and it's very durable.
5. Cotton balls.
Though Pugs have folded ears that somewhat help keep out external water, any water that does enter the ears can lead to ear infections. So, it is best to play it safe and loosely place cotton in the opening of the ear canals to act as a barrier.
6. Two thin washcloths and an absorbent towel.
One washcloth will be to clean your Pug's face, including around the eye area and wrinkles. The other washcloth will be used to dry your Pug's ears and in between the toes since these two areas are prone to skin yeast infections when moisture is left behind. The towel, as you may have guessed, is to dry your Pug's body.
7. A non-slip mat (optional).
If you find that your Pug slips and slides around, and particularly if this startled your dog or makes giving baths difficult, place a non-slip mat into the sink or tub before you start to help your Pug keep their footing.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Giving a Pug a Bath
Prep:
#1: Give the coat a good brushing with a slicker brush, grooming glove, or other chosen grooming tool to remove dead hairs.
#2: Have all your needed items right by your side. This includes the shampoo, conditioner, bath brush, washcloths, and towel.
Bathing Instructions:
#1: Fill the tub or sink with 1 to 3 inches of luke-warm water before you place your Pug in. Test the temperature with your inner wrist.
#2: Gently place cotton right at the ear canal opening to prevent water from entering the ear canal. You can tear away pieces from a cotton ball to do this. Do not place the cotton deep.
#3: Wet the entire body. Ideally, this is done using a spray nozzle, but if you do not have this option, you can use a small bowl or cup. At first, water may roll off the coat and body oils may prevent water from getting through the coat, so make sure that the coat is thoroughly soaked.
#4: Apply the shampoo. You will want to apply this liberally since skimping on the shampoo can lead to only partial cleansing of body oils.
#5: Scrub well and massage the suds down to the skin, going over every area of the body. Especially for adult Pugs, it can help to use a canine bath brush/scrub brush which will aid you in reaching down through the thick dense coat.
#6: Clean the face, including all wrinkles with one of the thin washcloths. Then, use the washcloth to scrub the underbelly and genital area.
makes this much easier. This has 250+ tips that snatch up all loose fur as you go over the body. And, it's great to be able to accomplish this without having to hold onto anything. 
which is 100% all-natural, has coconut-based cleansers and organic aloe vera (which are very beneficial for a Pug's skin) and rosemary oil which works as a natural deodorizer to help keep a Pug smelling nice. 
which does a great job in smoothing down the hair cuticles and is excellent for keeping the skin and fur properly moisturized. 
is fantastic. This has uniquely designed rubber tips that are awesome at latching onto dead hairs while offering a pleasant massage, a slip-through hand guide so that your hand doesn't cramp up, and it's very durable. 
