Most dog owners face an obstacle while bathing their dogs. Not all dogs enjoy getting wet, unless it’s a fun splash in the pond during a walk. Giving your dog a bath and not creating a big mess at the house can be quite a task. But don’t worry, we have some tips for you to make the process more pleasant for both you and your furry friend.
How Often Do You Need to Bath Your Dog
Luckily, dogs don’t need as many showers as we do. The number of washes depend on the length and quality of your pet’s fur. Long-haired breeds typically need about 3 washes a year, while short-haired dogs need to be bathed once a month. Remember that bathing your dog too often can strip the coat of its natural oils, leading to skin irritation. Besides these recommendations, it is good to shower your pup after a fun play in the mud or if your dog’s fur starts to smell a bit off.
Things to Take Care of Before Bathing
Before you start bathing your pet you need to make sure you have all necessary tools by your hand. You will need such thing as:
- Dog Shampoo
- Towels
- Pitcher (if you don’t have an extendible shower head)
- Brush
- Hair-dryer (if your dog feels comfortable around it)
- Treats
- Pet Washing Station (optional)
Choosing the right location to bathe your dog is extremely important. If you want to make the process less stressful for yourself and the pet, find a comfortable and familiar place for your dog. Small breed dogs can be washed in the sink of your bathroom. Middle-sized and large dogs would need more space. In this case, you can bathe the bog in your shower or bathtub. Remember, if your dog is shedding, it can easily clog your drain. To prevent this, we recommend using a drain hair catcher.
Another option is to use a Pet Washing Station. Home Pet Spa dog bathing tub provides a great variety of features to make your dog showering experience at home as easy and mess-free as possible. It has an extendible drain and can be used inside and outside your house. It has already installed shower wand, on/off switch nobs, and even water mist jets to help through the process; no need for a pitcher or sprayer. Home Pet Spa also has additional accessories to elevate the tub for your back’s comfort. It has a small dog shelf that can be installed inside the tub. Taking your dog for a walk can also be a good idea! Letting extra energy out beforehand will help keep the dog calm.
How to Bathe You Dog Step-By-Step
Step 1. Brush Your Dog. Brushing your dog is critical, especially when the fur is long or wavy and prone to getting tangles or mats. It is much easier to remove mats on dry hair than on wet fur.
Step 2. Secure Dog’s Position. Before you start bathing, you need to ensure the dog is comfortable and secured in place. You can use a grooming loop for bathing the dog in your bathtub or spiral stake for outdoor grooming. Home Pet Spa offers dog safety restrain loops to help keep the dog in place.
Step 3. Wet the Dog’s Body. We would recommend starting with your dog’s main body and leaving the head for later. Make sure the water temperature is lukewarm. You don’t want to use too hot or too cold water, as it can lead to skin irritation. Be careful while washing your pup’s head; try avoiding water getting to their ears at all costs.
Step 4. Apply Dog Shampoo. First, read directions on the Dog Shampoo bottle, as some may need to be diluted in water before use. Gently rub the shampoo into the dog’s coat. Avoid using regular Dog Shampoo in the face area. There is a risk of shampoo getting to the pup’s eyes. As an alternative, you can use Face Shampoo, but still use it with caution. You can also use wipes or a damp cloth.
Step 5. Rinse. Rinse the body of your dog thoroughly. It is important not to leave soapy spots, they can lead to skin irritation.
Step 6. Dry Your Dog. Use dry towels to dry the dog’s fur. If your dog is comfortable around a hair dryer, you can save yourself some time and use it instead. A tip is to use a towel first and then finish up with the hair dryer. Remember, safety first! Use the coolest setting and don’t get too close to the skin.
Step 7. Brush Your Dog One More Time. Once the dog’s fur is completely dry, brush your dog again to catch loos fur.
And last but not least, reward your dog with favorite treats for being the best partner in such a difficult process.