7 tips for for successful dog washing!

Hello Everyone,

I can’t believe that I’m going to talk about one of my least favorite things… bathing! But it is an important part of your dog’s health and well being! And I guess it is not that bad, especially when it’s done, I get to bury my head into a nice fluffy towel and shake for all I’m worth! Of course, there is always the big treat for being good!

1. There really is no rule on how often to bathe your dog. It depends on the weather conditions in your area. Some people bathe their dogs weekly or monthly or somewhere in between! Just remember that frequent baths may dry out your dog’s skin and coat.

2. Brush your dog. This is a step that most people miss! It is even important for short haired dogs. It is best to get rid of all the dead, shedding fur from the coat and undercoat. If your dog has mats it is wise to brush them out, since dirt and shampoo will remain in the mat and make the mat tighter and even harder to work out.

3. Get all your supplies ready before you begin. A couple of towels and dog shampoo. Just about any gentle, tearless shampoo will work unless your dog has specific skin conditions or fleas.

4. Where to bathe your dog depends on his or her size. If you have a small dog, some people bathe them in the kitchen sink. If you have a larger dog you may need help bathing the dog in a tub or walk in shower. Some people have even added special shower units just for washing their dogs. These are usually about three feet tall and have a detachable shower nozzle. If the weather conditions are right, consider bathing your dog outside. Whatever size, you might get a bath, too!

5. It is best to wet the dog well from the neck to the tail, save the head for later. Begin to shampoo the legs, tail and rear end. Next, shampoo the body, belly, chest and front legs. Carefully wet the head and then wash the head being careful not to get soap in the dog’s eyes. Next is rinse time. First rinse the shampoo from the dogs head and then work your way down his back, legs then to his belly. Rinse well and repeat rinsing as a precaution, any residue of shampoo can cause itching, flaking and or skin problems.

6. Next, you need to remove the water from your dog. If you are in an enclosed shower, or outside you can encourage your dog to shake as much as possible to start with. Then wrap the dog in a towel to absorb excess water. Dry each part of the dog starting with the head, body, legs and tail. Drying with a good absorbent towel can save a lot of time in front of a hair dryer, especially if your dog has long hair. Make sure the dryer is set at a cool temperature and not too close to the dog’s skin to prevent burns.

7. Be sure and reward your dog with praise and maybe a special treat for being so good during bath time! Praise goes a long way in making your next bath time a success.


Well until next time, keep it clean!