Bathing Your Dog – Tips and Resources to Make Bathtime Easier

Bathing your dog is an essential activity for your dog even if it can be a hassle to do. Many dog owners forget about the benefits of bathing their dogs and feel grooming is not only easier but will take care of most skin and coat-related issues. The facts are that it is better to groom and trim your dog after a bath than before, because of the problems you can have trying to get a comb, brush, clippers, or your fingers through a dirty, and sometimes matted coat.

Grooming does not clean a dog’s skin, which can contain irritations, fleas, ticks, or mites. Bathing your dog facilitates recovery from irritants that cause allergies, hair loss, and pests harmful to your dog’s health. And, let’s not forget about the smell. Grooming only masks smells in some cases, bathing your dog does not. A dog that has gone unbathed and rolled in well, (you can imagine) can literally stink up an entire room.

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Bathing Your Dog – Be Prepared:

The important thing to remember is to be prepared when bathing your dog. If you are struggling to bathe your dog inside your home and use a bathtub to wash your dog or dogs, then using a tub specially designed for dogs or a washtub will help you eliminate the hassle of trying to get your dirty, soapy dog to sit still and not to shake and dirty the rest of your bathroom. Anyone who has had to chase a dog around the backyard as he runs from the garden hose will understand why it is best to try and teach your dog to stay put when being bathed.

Scrambling around for shampoo and towels to use while bathing your dog will only make your dog nervous. The correct supplies, training, and a calm bathing experience will mean your dog will not fight you at bath time, so start preparing before your dog is bathed.

Gather Your Supplies for Bathing Your Dog:

1. sponge

2. dog shampoo or flea dip or both.

3. a non-skid mat – if your dog is in the bathtub or on a slippery surface.

4. a tub for outside (or tie your dog) so your dog remains confined or allows bathing. Catching a slippery wet dog is not fun.

5. Cotton for the ears – unless you are going to be careful not to get shampoo in them. (Do not force cotton into the ear canal).

6. A large towel or two for drying off your companion.

7. Optional – gloves for those dogs who have fleas or rolling issues.

Bathing Your Dog the Easy Way, Don’t Forget the Treats

  • Start by pouring warm water (not cold) on your dog using a container. Your dog should be soaked to the skin. If you choose to bathe your dog outside, some dogs like being sprayed by a hose while running around. Not a bad idea if your dog needs the exercise.
  • A dry or partially dry dog does not lather as well and you certainly want a good lather to loosen any flakes, fleas, or stuff your dog may have rolled in or gotten into.
  • Pour some dog shampoo, or put it into a container and then onto the coat. Dog shampoo is different than people’s shampoo and contains the right PH. Dogs can have allergies to shampoo. If you notice your dog rolling and scratching (excessively) after bath time, your shampoo may be the problem. Try a non-allergic dog shampoo.
  • Too much shampoo concentrated on one spot on the dog’s coat means there is less on other areas. The idea is to disperse the shampoo as evenly as possible.
  • Use your hands, (to slowly distribute the shampoo), unless you are worried about fleas, or something your dog has rolled in. Some people like to wear gloves. Gloves generally scare dogs when they are not used to them. The texture, especially, when it contacts the dog’s sensitive underbelly makes most dogs jumpy. And the last thing you need is a jumpy dog who is trying to avoid you while soaking wet and soapy.
  • Praise your dog and make the experience enjoyable. Give your dog a treat, or two. Keep calm if your dog makes a sudden movement or gets you soaked.
  • Be especially careful when bathing your dog; in the face area, around the ears, and the eyes. Do not get soap in the eyes or ears. If so, immediately flush out the areas with a cup of warm water and gently pat dry.
  • Use a big towel and try to towel dry your dog so that your dog is mostly dry and not dripping wet. Walk your dog around slowly on a leash until your dog is dry.

Be prepared – a wet dog will want to roll, and roll on everything including your best sofa, rug, a comfy chair, or outside (in the stuff you just cleaned off your dog). So, you may want to keep your dog on a leash to prevent wet spots all over your house and you yelling at your companion because your furniture now smells like a wet dog.

Bathing your dog should be done regularly so that your dog gets used to being bathed and bath time will become much easier. And be patient and consistent. The result will be both you and your dog will become much more relaxed during bath time. Your dog will reap the benefits of healthy skin and a beautiful coat.