Cleanliness and proper grooming can be very important to thecontinued good health of our beloved pets. But bathing our puppyor adult dog can often prove to be a challenge. There are manyquestions, myths and opinions floating around when discussingthe best care for different dog types and temperaments. Checkout these dog bathing tips to get some great ideas so you’ll beprepared for your next dog bath and grooming session.
How often should you bath your dog?
How often your pet will need a dog bath will depend on thebreed and what type of activities the dog is involved in. It’sbest to bathe your dog only when your dog is really dirty. Justuse your nose – that tell tale doggy smell will let you knowit’s time for a bath.
If a dog is bathed too often the skin will be stripped of itsnatural, protective oils. This will result in dry itchy skin,which will cause your dog to scratch, further irritating thealready sensitive skin. If you need to bathe your dog morefrequently make sure to use a pet shampoo that will alsomoisturize your dog’s skin. You may also want to follow up withan after bath pet coat conditioner specifically formulated fordry skin.
Where’s the best place to bath your dog?
In warm weather you can bathe your dog outside. Pick a placethat will not turn to mud when it gets wet. It’s a good idea ahave a washtub large enough for your dog to stand up in and fillit with a few inches of water. Water straight from a garden hosemay start off warm, but usually gets cold very fast. If your dogstarts to resist and shiver, as the water gets colder, you maywant to consider another option.
Many pet owners have overcome this problem by purchasing araised dog bath. This convenient, back-saving dog bath is oftenused with a water temperature mixer valve assembly thatcompletely solves this problem. With the proper equipment set upyou’ll be able to save your back and control the watertemperature of your dog’s bath. Some temperature mixer valveassemblies hook up to your existing washing machine watersupply. At bath time just connect an ordinary garden hose to thevalve assembly and run it outside to the bathing area. Thisconvenient type of back-saving dog bath can even be used forbathing your dog inside.
If you choose to bathe your dog inside, regulating the watertemperature shouldn’t be a problem. But deciding where to batheyour dog might be. Small dogs and puppies can usually be bathedeasily in a sink or a washtub. For bigger dogs you will needsomething bigger like a bathtub or a large shower stall. And ofcourse, the bigger your dog is the bigger the potential hassles.
Are you tired of chasing and wrestling with your dog at bathtime?
Many dog owners solve this problem by purchasing a raised dogbath. An ergonomically designed dog grooming bathing tubelevates your dog to a level that’s comfortable for you andkeeps your dog securely contained, taking the hassle out ofwashing your dog. You’ll get the job done in half the time, saveyour back and stay dryer. The raised dog bath that is availablein most pet shops and online stores will also save your dogstress at bath time. No more slipping and sliding. Your dog willreally feel secure standing on the padded non-slip surface. Thistype of raised dog bath has been recommended by Dog WorldMagazine in their "Notable Products for the New Millennium".
Does your dog tend to get away from you during a bath?
Bathing your dog is a challenging, but essential, part of doggrooming. It’s funny how your dog will cleverly evade you whenyou try to get him into a dog bath, but will be just asdetermined to get past you when you don’t want him to jump intothe water at the beach.
If you’re washing your dog in a room with a door make sure toclose it so that your dog will not see an escape route or getvery far if he prematurely gets out of the bath. This way you’llhave an easier time getting him back in the tub to finish thejob. It can be a challenge bathing a dog that’s wiggling aroundbut the challenge gets a little tougher when your dog is anescape artist. If your dog takes any opportunity to get awayfrom you at bath time you may want to consider restraining yourdog.
Restraints are used during bath time to avoid injury to you aswell as your pet. Some pet bathing tubs come with restraintsincluded. With these your dog will be safely and securelyrestrained and you will be able to give your dog a quick andhassle-free bath.
Is your dog slipping and sliding in the bath?
Slipping and sliding can be the most stressful part of bathtime for a dog. Put a rubber mat down on the bottom surface ofthe tub to prevent your dog from sliding and getting hurt. Asure-footed dog will be less resistant and much more at easeduring bath time.
Things to have on hand at bath time:
Raised Dog Bath - This is a fantastic idea for a dog bath.It’s ergonomically designed for both you and your dog’s comfort.Your local pet groomer is likely to have just such a bathingstation set up in their shop. If you’re thinking about buying atub or basin to bathe your dog in, ask them if you can check outtheir tub set up. If you have the room or more than one dog, youmay find it worthwhile.
Pet Shower or Plastic Pitcher - A Pet Shower is great, but ifthat’s not possible make sure you have a large plastic pitcherfor wetting and rinsing your dog.
Drain Screen - Make sure to protect your plumbing from hairclogs with a simple to use drain screen.
Cotton Balls - Can be placed in each ear to prevent water fromrunning into your dogs ears.
Pet Shampoos - There are many different pet shampoos eachformulated to work on problems such as dry itchy skin, inflamedor dry scaling skin, fleas & ticks, doggy odor, skunk odor,abnormal shedding, quick rinsing for dogs that dont like totake a bath, whiteners for white coats, color intensifiers fordark coats, and coat shine to bring out the natural luster ofyour dogs coat. You may want to try a hypoallergenicshampoo/conditioner that will gently clean and conditioner yourpets coat in one step.
Coat Conditioners - There are many pet coat conditioners thatwill help manage and or improve the appearance of your dogscoat like crème rinse, grooming spray, after bath dry skintreatment, and herbal mist conditioner that will soothe,re-moisturize and detangle your pets coat.
Pet Drying Towels - If you want to get your dog dry fastercheck out a specialty pet-drying towel. Some are available thatwill absorb 10 times its own weight in water!
Eye Protective Gel - Are you concerned about shampoo makingits way into your dog’s eyes? Just put a little protective eyegel in each eye just before bath time to prevent burning andredness.
Ear Drying Solution - If your dog is prone to ear infectionsmake sure you have some ear-drying solution on hand. Using anear drying solution will assure that the ear canal is nice anddry after bathing.
Brushes/Combs - There are many different styles and sizes oftraditional dog grooming brushes and combs that you can choosefrom. If your dog has very sensitive or irritated skin you maywant to consider a higher quality brush that will not scratchthe skin or aggravate existing skin irritations.
Pet Dryer - If your dog has a thick, long or double coat it’sbest to use a pet dryer. Unlike “people” hair dryers, pet dryersare designed to use less heat and more air volume so theyquickly and safely dry a dog without damaging the coat orburning the skin. If you use a "people" blow dryer be verycareful since you can easily burn your pet!
Plastic Bucket - It’s very convenient to have a waterproofcontainer that will keep your dog grooming supplies close athand.
Remember to get all your dog grooming supplies ready beforehand and let your dog sniff everything.
Why you should brush your dog thoroughly before bathing.
Depending on the type of coat your dog has you may need anassortment of grooming brushes and combs to properly care foryour dogs skin and coat. Before you bathe your dog its alwaysa good idea to brush your pets coat thoroughly to remove anytangles or matted areas as well as any other foreign debris.Many dog owners know first hand that if they dont spend timeremoving old, established tangles and mats before bathing manytimes they just get worse. If your dogs coat tangles and matseasily make sure to look for shampoos and conditioners that areformulated to prevent and break up mats.
If your dog has gotten into any sticky or gooey substanceslike tar or gum never use commercial solvents or industrialcleaners on your dog’s coat. Many of these are toxic to yourdog. Try dissolving these substances with mineral oil. If you’reunable to remove something from your dog’s coat carefully snipaway the affected area. It’s always best to sacrifice some hairor fur since it will grow back rather than risk damage to theskin. Brush your dog thoroughly between baths, daily if you can,to distribute the natural oils and remove tangles, mats andforeign matter.
Choosing the best pet shampoo/coat conditioner for your dog.
Always use a pet shampoo that is specially formulated for thepH of your pets skin. Never use “people” shampoos since ourskin pH level is much more acidic than our canine friends andcould irritate your dog’s skin.
Start bathing your dog at the beginning: Your Dogs Head.
A popular bathing technique is to start at your dog’s head andwork your way toward the tail. This is especially the case ifit’s possible that fleas are present. If you know that your doghas fleas you may want to use a flea & tick shampoo. Starting atyour dogs head forces any fleas to gather away from your dog’sface, eyes, and ears. It is much easier to dunk the rear of yourdog into the tub than your dog’s face. As you may imagine, yourdog is likely to be much more cooperative by following thissimple bathing technique.
Let your dog get used to the sound of the running water. Ifyou’re using a tub or basin fill it with a few inches of warmwater. Then get your dog into the bath. If you’re using a raiseddog bath just secure your dog into the dog bath. Starting fromthe head thoroughly wet your dog with warm water. You can use aplastic pitcher or a spray nozzle for this task. If you’re usinga spray nozzle make sure the spray is not too strong. Neverspray water directly onto your dog’s face or genitals.
Apply a pet shampoo/coat conditioner. Follow the instructionson the package. Work it in from the head to the tail. Be sure toget all those nooks and crannies; like the rectum, between thetoes, behind the ears and under the chin. Be careful not the getshampoo in your dog’s eyes. If this is a concern you can protectyour dog’s eyes by putting some protective eye gel in each eyejust before getting your dog into the bath.
Rinse your dog thoroughly with warm water. Shampoo residue cancause skin irritations so make sure you give your dog’s coat athorough rinsing. Towel drying your pet’s coat in the dog bathwill remove some of the excess water before you take your dogout of the tub. Some breeds should never be rubbed, only patted,since their coats easily tangle. Dog owners often prefer to usededicated pet towels. There are pet drying towels available thatwill absorb 10 times their weight in water. These are very handytowels to use for a dog bath and can also be used any time yourpet gets wet.
Although many dog owners think of bathing their dog as achallenge, with the right approach, supplies, and equipment, youcan get through it relatively unscathed. And don’t forget toreward your dog’s good behavior in the bathing process withtreats and plenty of loving kindness.
Copyright 2004, Dog-Supplies-Advisor.com, all rights reserved.Reprinted with permission.
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