Dog Grooming

Bathing Your Dog

Bathing has never been a favorite past time of my dog or myself for that matter, but every dog can benefit from an occasional bath, some more than others. For example, I have two dogs, one is a black labrador and the other is a chow and yellow labrador mix. My black lab needs to bathed a lot more often than my chow mix (see picture above). How often to bathe your dog is a personal preference.

Introduce bathing early and slowly. Some dogs learn to enjoy their baths, and almost all of them can learn to tolerate them.

Brush First

Long or double-coated dogs need to have the mats brushed out of their coats before bathing. Otherwise, the mats become tighter and more difficult to remove.

Dogs that are brushed regularly and are free of parasites need very few baths. Bathing a dog too frequently will actually strip the coat of its protective oils, and cause an over production of those oils. That can cause the dog to have a stronger smelling coat.

A quick solution for a dirty dog is instant dry shampoo or pre-moistened wipes. These clean off surface dirt and doggy odor until you can bathe your canine friend.

Where to Bathe

If the weather is nice, bathing outside with the hose in a big tub works. Dog-grooming tubs are available that include a convenient nozzle for rinsing. Large dogs can stand on the ground while you bathe them.

Indoors, a shower with a hand held shower massage is the easiest. Bathing a dog in a regular bathtub is messy and often hard on the back. Tiny dogs can be bathed in a kitchen sink. Some pet supply stores have a self-service option at the Grooming Salon, where you can wash your dog in a professional grooming tub, and leave the mess behind.

Supplies Needed

• Waterproof Collar and Leash
• Towels
• Treats
• Cotton balls
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Mineral oil
• Non-slip surface
• Ear cleaner
• Liquid Fabric Softener**

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