Dog Bathing can be a Chore

Much adorned to washing windows or cleaning gutters around your house, there comes that time when the chore of washing our fury, four-legged friends presents itself.  Either on a regular schedule or when Fido just plain ole stinks, washing your dog is an essential duty of being a responsible owner.  Most dogs tolerate it, but some dogs plain ole’ hate it!

Washing your dog doesn’t have to be a negative experience either for you or for them, however there is some preparation that is recommended prior to taking the “plunge”.

If you have a dog that hates a bubble bath, your not so pampered pooch needs to be conditioned to not associate that feeling of terror or discomfort while near the tub.  To do that, there are a few suggestions with the most effective being rewards.  Rewards can come in the form of treats or some simple belly rubbing.

Ease into it

For skeptical tail-waggers, it’s recommended to use a bath tub so you have a door to close behind you, but regardless of where you do it,  start when it’s not bath time by getting your soon to be clean dog accustomed to positive feeling near and around the bathing area.  Allow them to smell any accessories like brushes or combs or shampoo bottles.  Progress toward the actual bathing spot. Give them treat when you say the word “bath”, another treat when they get in the bath room, treat them again for getting in the tub when there is no bath threat and again when they come out by maybe putting a towel over them to simulate drying.   If you can do this all with encouraging, calm tones of voice, you can soon replace the treats with simple words making it a better experience for both you and your stinky dog.

Get Prepared!

Proper dog bathing is best achieved by being prepared.  The first step, regardless of the the length of the dog’s coat is to brush them.  Secondly, personal preparedness comes in the form of knowing that wet dog is going to shake like an unbalanced washing machine and you and your bathroom will get wet and hairy.  Wear proper clothing and put towels down.  It’s also a good idea to get any grooming tools, towels and shampoos in place and ready to go.

Make sure the water is lukewarm.  A hand held sprayer is ideal, but if not, just a few inches or warm water in the bottom of the tub before the dog gets in will do.  Too hot and it will scald your dogs skin; too cold and it will give them chills.  Get your dog completely wet being mindful to try and not get water in their ears, especially for dogs with “flap” ears as moisture is the main ingredient in ear infections.  It’s also a good idea to talk to your fury friend throughout the process.  Calming words make the entire experience more pleasurable for you and pet.

Rub a Dub Dub, Get That Dog in the Tub

Once thoroughly wet, it’s time to lather up that dirty dog.  If you find grease on your dog’s coat, try this cool trick before the bath. To clean their ears, use just a damp wash cloth or mineral oil on cotton swabs making sure not to disturb the inner ear.  Be certain that you are using a shampoo made especially for dogs. The canine skin has a different PH level that the human scalp so human shampoo is not recommended and can potentially damage your dogs skin. When picking dog shampoos, we recommend an all natural dog or puppy shampoo. Staying with natural ingredients means less likely the chance of stripping the essential oils contained on the dog’s skin.  Lather your dog’s entire body and leave the shampoo on for as long is recommended on the dog shampoo instructions.  Rinse thoroughly, then rinse one more time to be sure no shampoo residue gets left behind.

It’s at this point that we recommend you get a towel ready and cover your clean smelling companion because you will get the lip flappin’ shake that will get you and a 10 foot radius wet and full of dog hair otherwise.

Time to cuddle your clean pooch!