The many benefits of a great bath and cleaning for your dog will go far beyond the pleasant scent. In addition to maintaining and improving the overall health of your pooch, a superb benefit of bathing your dog can be psychological. Knowing how to properly give a doggy bath will induce feelings of love and a sense of being cared for.
Bathing frequency
Understanding the correct frequency to give your dog a bath will ultimately depend on breed, age, and the amount of time spent rolling around outside. Bathing too frequently can rob the coat of natural oil and could dry your dog's skin. Usually, on average, you should bathe your canine once every 2-3 months. This is not including the occasional skunk or emergency bath.
Tips for successful bathing
A helpful tip to remember, gather tools beforehand. There is nothing like forgetting something and coming back with a soaking wet dog writhing around on the floor of the bathroom. Items of interest should be brushes, shampoo, towels, and obviously a sink, bathtub or something of the sort.
Prior to bathing, take a brief minute to brush your dog's coat. This type of grooming will remove any loose or matty hair that can prevent the shampoo from serving its purpose. A bonus to this step is to avoid letting the mats and knots from getting wet and tightening. This can cause an irritating pinch and can create a negative experience.
Now, place your dog into the sink or bathtub. Use a rubber-non-slip mat on the bottom of the sink or bathtub to remove any chance of canine-slipping. This can be a serious hazard for you and your pet.
The water temperature should be lukewarm. Begin to saturate the coat of the dog, making sure the water is NOT too hot. Remember, be careful around the eyes, ears, and face - these areas are especially sensitive. Make sure not to get water in your dog's nose - especially small dogs, this can be a choking hazard. As a precaution, lightly cover the nose with your palm or gently rinse the face with a wash cloth.
Begin at the tail. Add the shampoo and massage into a lather, repeating this process as needed across the body. Following the body, move to the legs and finally onto the head. Do this until the entire dog is covered in a soapy lather. Talking to your dog through this can help reassure him that everything is calm and provide a gentle experience. Many dogs will begin to fidget, just remember to avoid over-restraint or raising your voice, this can cause him to struggle more aggressively.
Again, starting at the tail, work towards the head, across the body and rinsing off the shampoo thoroughly with lukewarm water. I must emphasize rinsing thoroughly, irritation can occur of the shampoo is effectively washed off.
Begin to dry your dog using towels to help remove water from the undercoat. Practice caution during this time, unless you want a face and mouthful of doggy flavored water. The natural reaction of dogs is to shake the water off. Another helpful hint, using a blow-dryer, if he or she will tolerate it of course, and make sure to use a cooler temperature setting so not to burn or irritate skin.
By following these basic tips and tricks, you should be able to relinquish any built stress, for you and your dog. These experiences can be a great learning and bonding experience for all involved. I urge you to include family and children. Children can be taught great lessons for compassion and can help grow their love for pets and animals.
Isaac Macalister is a frequent contributor for Hartz Dog Grooming and has written many articles pertaining to cat and dog needs. Including anything from dog training to summer fun with your dog including tips on Hartz UltraGuard Flea Control.
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