Bathing Your Dog - Step by Step
by ©Sheri Huttner
Who
needs a dog groomer? You can bathe your dog at home with these step-by-step
instructions and helpful tips.
A short-haired dog is fairly
easy to bathe, especially if he's small. You can bathe him right
in the kitchen or bathroom sink, or in your bathtub, if your back
can stand a lot of bending. A hose attachment or a hose type shower
massage can be a big help when using the tub.
A larger or long-haired
dog can present more of a problem and sometimes requires two people
to tackle the job. It's best to bathe a large dog in the bathtub
(be prepared for a bath yourself!) or in the yard when the weather
permits.
Just about any gentle, tearless
dog shampoo will do unless your dog has fleas or a skin condition.
If your dog has either, use a shampoo made for the specific problem,
or one recommended by your vet. When using a regular dog shampoo,
it's usually best to dilute it. (Don't dilute flea shampoo or
medicated shampoo because you'd also be diluting the active ingredients!)
Most dog shampoos are way too thick which makes it difficult to
work up a good lather. I usually dilute it with 25% to 50% water.
You can pour some shampoo into an empty
bottle and add small amounts of water until it reaches the right consistency.
Some people use 'people'
shampoo, and I've even heard of some who use dish washing liquid.
Both are much too harsh for your dog's skin and can cause skin
and coat problems in the future. In the long-run, it's cheaper
to buy a good dog shampoo and dilute it as described above.
Before the dog even gets
NEAR the water, brush him well. This can't be stressed enough.
All of the dead, shedding fur has to be removed from the coat
and undercoat. If the dog has knots, tangles, or mats, they must
all be removed before you bathe him. Don't expect a
conditioner to remove the mats, because it won't. In fact, if
you bathe your dog without first brushing him thoroughly, the
dirt and shampoo will remain in the mats, creating more of a problem
by making the mats tighter. This can also cause skin problems
or make matters
worse if problems already exist.
Bathing alone won't remove
all the shedding hair from a short coat, either. Brushing is necessary
before and after the bath. A really great grooming tool for use
on short-haired dogs that shed is a Shed'n Blade, available at
most pet stores. It's simple to use and does a great job of removing
all that loose fur. I recommend using it outdoors since the fur
flies all over!
Ready? Wet the dog well
from the neck to the tail, saving the head, face, and ears for
later. Begin by shampooing the hind legs. Then do the tail and
the rear end. (Pay a little extra attention to that area!) Next,
shampoo the body, chest, and front legs. Now, carefully
wet the head, face, and ears. Lather those areas, being careful
not to get suds in the dog's eyes, even if you're using a 'tearless'
shampoo.
Now it's time to rinse.
And rinse, and rinse, and rinse. Did I say RINSE? I can't say
it enough! First rinse the shampoo from the head, face, and ears,
and then the body and legs. Don't forget the underside of the
dog. To reach that area, have him stand on his hind legs by lifting
his front paws. Keep rinsing until you no longer feel shampoo
anywhere on the dog and the water runs clear. Any residue of shampoo
remaining on the dog can cause itching, flaking, and skin problems.
When finished, wrap the
dog in a towel to absorb excess water and to prevent him from
shaking it everywhere. Then systematically towel dry each part
of the dog -- face, head, ears, body, legs, and tail. A good towel
drying can save lots of time. Finish up by drying him with
a hair blower, which is usually easier if you have someone to
hold him while you do this. Make sure the dryer is set at a comfortable
temperature, and don't hold it too close to the dog's skin.
Tips:
- Have towels (and everything
else you need) handy before you begin
- Have the dog stand on
a rubber mat in the tub or sink so he'll feel
secure.
- I don't recommend putting
cotton in the ears. The cotton acts like
a wick and draws water into the ears. Just be careful and try
not to
get water in the ears.
- Wear old clothes or your
birthday suit.
- Be careful not to let
fur go down your drain.
- Even if the bottle of
shampoo says to shampoo twice, a dog rarely
needs it unless he hasn't been bathed in a very long time or is
exceptionally dirty.
- Remember to brush out
all mats from the coat BEFORE bathing. If the
dog is very matted, it's time to visit a professional groomer.
- Most dogs don't need a
bath more than once a month. Bathing too
frequently can dry out the skin and coat.
- Get your dog used to being
brushed and bathed at an early age.
Resource:
by ©Sheri Huttner, DogParlor
Sheri Huttner is the owner/operator
of a successful dog grooming shop. She also provides personalized
home boarding for her clients.
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