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Humans and their canine companions share an affectionate relationship. And if you are a pet lover, you understand how bathing and grooming your pup can be a wonderful bonding experience, especially if they are used to it from a young age. It’s also an emotional investment.
Although most canines will scamper at the mention of the word “bath,” a good wash plays a vital role in the animal’s skin and coat health with their canine friends.
Bathing times scare many dogs, but with a bit of know-how and preparation, it can be a fantastic experience for both of you. Whether you take to a groomer or do it yourself at home, here’s what you need to know to make bath time enjoyable and fun for your pup.
The 6 Steps to Bathe Your Dog
Bathing your dog can be an enjoyable experience if done right! While some dogs enjoy splashing in the water, others may be less enthusiastic. No matter your pup’s feelings about bath time, here’s how to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.
1. Brush Before You Bath It
Matted fur holds water and prevents shampoo from penetrating the skin. Brushing allows you to detangle and trim mats and prevents you from wasting water and shampoo.
This process will also allow you to ensure that the water is lukewarm and talk to your pet in a calm and reassuring tone.
2. Apply Shampoo
Now that you have a calm pup, apply shampoo on the dog’s coat. Rub it in and add a little water to get a nice lather. Ensure that the shampoo is dog-designated and can penetrate the skin easily.
Proceed and work through the thick using your fingers or a soft rubber brush. Get the shampoo to your dog’s most forgotten areas like the paws, armpits, stomach, and tail.
Don’t get the shampoo on the pet’s face, ears, and eyes, though. You can use a dog-friendly “face wash” or a dampened cloth instead.
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3. Rinse Thoroughly
Rinse the dog’s coat thoroughly after shampooing by running clean water through the fur. Ensure that the water runs clean of dirt and shampoo bubbles no longer form.
Start by rinsing at the neck’s back, between the front shoulders, and work downwards to the feet. Ensure you don’t leave the shampoo in the armpits, belly, and between the toes.
Also, remember to cover your dog’s ears when rinsing to prevent water from getting in the ear canals. You can use cotton balls to cover them.
4. Air-Dry
Dry your dog’s coat after washing it because trapped moisture can cause itching, infections, and hot spots. Also, damp hair gets matted quickly.
You can use a dry towel for a smooth and single-layered dog coat. However, a blow-drier is the best option for dense-coated dogs to ensure they dry completely.
5. Remember to Brush Again
Now that your dog’s coat is dry, run the brush through it to remove extra-dead hair and help detangle it. You can also run the brush through the fur while brushing to save time.
6. Reward Your Dog
Bath time takes a toll on any dog. You can calm it down by praising, rewarding it with treats, or playing with it.
You can help your pup vent its frustration by playing games like tug of war using a towel or allowing it to run through your yard. This way, it’ll associate bath time with pleasantries and always look forward to the next session.
How Often Should You Bathe Your Dog?
You should avoid washing more often than necessary. While you think you’ll be keeping a dog clean and healthy, you are stripping the coat of natural oils, leaving it dry and bare.
Bare skin is more prone to matting, dandruff, and frizzies. How often you bathe your dog depends on many factors, including the breed, environment, coat type, size, and activities.
1. Indoor dogs
Indoor dogs in apartments and condos are not so active and rarely get dirty. As a result, they only require bathing once every 2–3 months.
2. Active Dogs
Dogs that love playing in the yard, swimming, playing in the mud, going for walks, and training require more frequent baths, approximately once every 1–2 months.
3. Dogs with Seborrhea or Smelly Coats
Seborrhea is a skin condition that causes scaling and a smelly and oily coat. Dogs with this condition need to follow their vets’ guidance and will require frequent bathing with a special shampoo.
4. Short-Haired Breeds with Smooth Coats
Short-haired and smooth dog breeds like Beagles do just fine with occasional baths. Other Short-coated breeds like Basenji dogs appear meticulous and rarely need a bath.
5. Breeds with Dense, Double Coats
Thick-coated dog breeds like Samoyed and Malamutes do well with lots of brushing but fewer baths. This is because they only need to get rid of dead fur and distribute the skin’s natural oils after all.
6. Dogs with Skin Issues or Allergies
Wash any dog with a medical condition or skin sensitivity according to the vet’s guidelines. The doctor will schedule bath times, recommend shampoos, and ask you to bathe as frequently as possible when starting treatment.
Always talk to your family vet to establish a schedule that serves the dog best and addresses its needs.
Where Should You Bathe Your Dog?
It would be best to determine the best place to wash your dog. First off, consider the breed’s size to ensure you have enough space in your home and determine whether to bathe the canine indoors or outdoors.
The advantage of a small breed is that you can just plop it into a small bathing tub or even a sink. But if your dog is big, you will have to use a bathtub.
There are times when you have to bathe your dog outside. A portable dog tub is collapsible, so you can take it outside and wash your pup in it.
Alternatively, you can use a hosepipe on a dirty dog if the weather is favorable. Some dogs enjoy this, but be careful not to spray directly on their face.
Best Water Conditions for Bathing a Dog
If you want to make your dog look forward to bath time, cold water on a chilly day won’t help with that, especially if you are bathing it from the outside.
Always be mindful of the water temperature, the weather, and pressure when washing your pup. Whether you are using a shower head or a hosepipe, use low water pressure and lukewarm temperature to wash your canine friend.
The water should be warm enough to make any dog comfortable and get the job done.
How to Prepare to Bathe Your Dog
Don’t turn the water on before you set up the bathing environment. Ensure that the environment is as comfortable as possible so the dog will associate the event positively.
You can start by prepping the coat so the process doesn’t trigger discomfort. Then rub your dog’s coat with your hand to allow it to calm down. Finally, brush it, especially if the fur is prone to tangling.
The tangled fur can form mats if you start bathing your dog without brushing, turning the would-be-good experience into an unpleasant one.
Necessary Supplies for Bathing a Dog
- Casual Clothes
You may want to dress in comfortable casual clothes that you wouldn’t mind messing up because, mate, prepare to get soaked.
- Dog Brush
Brushing is crucial before and after bath time. However, your pup’s coat determines the type of comb or brush you settle for. The brush should help to detangle and de-shed the dog’s fur, so it would be best to understand the type of brush that’s best for your dog’s coat.
Excellent examples of brushing items to use on your dog include the CHI Double-Sided Ball Tip Pin & Bristle Dog Brush. You can also use a simple steel comb to detangle the coat.
- Dog Shampoo
AVOID using human shampoos because their pH levels are not always suitable for your dog’s skin and coat. Also, don’t use dish soap unless your vet recommends it for a reason
Instead, use a dog-designated shampoo that has an adequate pH, balanced for your canine friend.
- Conditioner
Although dog-specific conditioners are optional, they greatly help with detangling the knots on the coat and softening it. Using a conditioner after shampooing also helps to moisturize the skin and coat.
Avoid using human conditioners as they can disrupt the dog’s PH balance and irritate the skin.
- Cotton wool
Protecting your dog’s ears during bath time is important, and placing a small amount of cotton wool in each ear can help prevent water from getting inside. If your dog’s ears need to be cleaned, a vet can recommend the best ear cleaning solution for your pup.
- Towels and Blow Dryers
You don’t want a soaking wet dog running all over your home. Super absorbent towels like the Microfiber Shammy Towels will ease things for you. You can also use blow dryers as long as they are in a low heat setting.
- Related Read: How Often Should You Bathe Your Dog?
Final Thoughts
While not all dogs love bath time, with the right approach, it can be a positive experience for both of you. Many pups tolerate baths because they trust their owners and enjoy the rewards, whether it’s treats, praise, or extra affection afterward.
So, if your canine friend can tolerate bath time just for you to scrub its coat and run water through it, the best you can do is get it right. Make bath time a fantastic experience using the correct tools, water temperature, and the proper bathing procedure.
Don’t forget after-bath treats, too!
- Only Natural Pet Shampoo - Our vegan, plant-based formulation is made with safe and natural...
- No Soap - A cat and dog wash free from soaps, glutens, dyes, DEA, sulfates and phthalates means it's...
- Colloidal Oatmeal - Formula soothes and nourishes dry, irritated skin, providing itchy skin relief...
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