Bathing Your Dog - Some Tips and Pointers

Here are some tips when bathing your dog. A small, short-haired dog is pretty easy to wash.

Here are some tips when bathing your dog. A small, short-haired dog is pretty easy to wash.

You could use anything from your sink to the bathtub, However when using a bathtub your back will be under the stress of prolonged bending.

When using a tub consider using a hose type shower extension. Sometimes you will need two people to take on the job of washing a larger or long-haired canine.

You can best accomplish the task by using either your bathtub or, weather permitting, your yard outside.

Prior to bathing your dog it is always advisable and necessary to brush them well. The top coat as well as the undercoat needs to be free from all dead and shedding fur.

This pre-bath routine cannot be emphasized enough. Conditioners are not designed to remove knots, tangles or mats, therefore, this needs to be taken care of before hand.

If you opt to bath your dog prior to brushing him, untangles any existing tangles or mats which could worsen and tighten with the addition of shampoo and existence of any dirt.

Any existing skin problems could potentially be exacerbated or generated where there are currently none. In order to absorb excess water and prevent your pet from shaking, when bathing is complete, wrap them in a towel.

Beginning with the face, methodically dry each section of your dog working from the face to the head, ears, body, legs and finally the tail. In order to save time, an absorbent drying towel is a must.

The use of a blow dryer also comes in handy, however, make sure the dryer is not to hot or held to close to the dog's skin. It is usually helpful to have additional help when drying the dog.

It's best to have everything ready before you begin, such as towels. To make the dog feel secure you could have them stand on a rubber mat in the tub or sink.

It's not recommended to use cotton in their ears because the cotton will draw more water into their ears. Be careful not to get water in the dogs ears.

Most dogs will not need to be shampooed twice, regardless of what the directions on the bottle say, unless they are particularly dirty. You need to brush out their matted hair BEFORE bathing.

If it's too matted for you to handle you could take your dog to a groomer. You shouldn't need to bathe your dog more than one or two times monthly. If you bathe them too frequently you can dry their skin and coat out.