Dog Guidance Blog

The number one tip for bathing your dog is this: do not bathe him too often. Once every two or three months is a good rule of thumb. A dog’s skin is very thin and excessive bathing will make him dry and itchy. If he gets too smelly, sprinkle some baking soda on his coat and rub it into the fur gently. Then, brush it out. He should smell better quickly.

The shower is a better choice for bathing your dog than the tub. One reason is that when he shakes off the excess water, the water lands on the shower walls and not your bathroom walls. If you must bathe him in the tub, do not fill it with water. They do not usually like to stand in water.

Use pet shampoo and not what you use on your own hair. Pet shampoo is made especially for your dog and will not irritate his skin. It comes in different formulas such as flea and tick shampoo, etc. Start with his back, tummy, legs and feet first. Then, use a rag to clean his head and ears. Make sure the rag is not too soapy. Do not pour water over his head because he really hates that! Be careful not to get any water in his ears because it can cause an ear infection.

If you prefer to bathe your dog outside, make sure that the outdoor temperature is real warm. Make certain that there is not a chill in the air. You will want to bathe him quickly if using a garden hose because that water can become really cold in a short time.

After his bath, rinse all the shampoo out of his coat completely. A hand-held shower head works best. Rinse and rinse until you have no doubt that there is no soapy residue left on his coat. If you do not rinse well, the residue will irritate his skin and make him itch.

When you are done, wrap him in a towel and hug him. Speak softly to him and lead him to a big blanket which you have placed on the floor. The blanket protects your floor from dog hair and moisture. Use as many towels as necessary to get him as dry as possible. Some dogs will tolerate the use of a blow dryer if it is not too loud. Turn it on low and do not get it too close to his skin.

Be very gentle when bathing him because most dogs do not enjoy bath time. If you are gentle and speak softly to him in the process, he may decide that it is not so bad after all. Gathering everything you need for his bath in advance helps you stay calm because everything is within your reach.

If you go in prepared and calm, there is a chance that your dog will not become overly anxious or fearful. Do your best to make it a good experience for both of you.