Posts Tagged ‘grooming tools’
How to Give your Dog a Bath
How to give your dog a bath
Bath time, it could turn out to be a looked forward event or a dreaded event for your dog. It all depends on what you make out of it.Bathing your pet takes time, make sure you have allowed for this. This will make your dog more comfortable if you are not rushed.
Dirt and odors love dogs, which makes learning how to give a dog a bath an essential part of caring for your pet. You may have had past experiences or visions of your dog running through the house half-soaped up and shaking water all over your furniture. Bath time doesn’t have to be a an occasion to dread if you plan ahead and give your pet a bath he’ll enjoy. Have patients with your pet. I am a groomer and believe me when I tell you patients is awarding for both you and your pet. I have a couple clients that have dogs that only have three legs , one is terrified of water, but all these dogs have trust in me, I have taken the time to show them how to stand, how to relax in the tub, bath time can be frightening to many pets.
If you have read “about Cheyenne” in my blog, you will understand that not all dogs are the same.She used to be scared when I bathed her, she would hit the panic button big time! I will never get upset with her, I show her that I won’t hurt her and the bath is a good thing. I still have to be very slow with her, but she has accepted bath time without to much trouble.
First you want to gather you bath supplies, collect all the supplies you’ll need for bath before you start. Some of the essential dog bath supplies that I like to use include:
Brush or comb: Have on hand the appropriate grooming brush or comb for your dog’s coat. One of my best recommendations is the Soft Rubber Dog Brush – Removes loose hair like a magnet, stimulates capillaries and natural oil production for healthy skin and coats.
Dog Shampoo and Cream Rinse: Be sure to use a Shampoo and Cream Rinse formulated for your pet.A word to the wise, don’t use prodcuts made for people to bath your pet, these prodcuts don’t have the appropriate pH balance and may harm your pets coat and skin. I like to use an Oatmeal base shampoo; it seems to help with the itches.
Small Cotton Balls: These are for there ears, you need to keep water and soap clear of their ears.
Plastic Pitcher or Removable Shower head: The pitcher works great if you don’t have a removable shower head for wetting and rinsing you pet.
Lots of Towels for Drying your pet.
A couple optional items you might like to use when you give your dog a bath are special ophthalmic ointment to keep your dogs eyes from being burned by the shampoo this is available from your veterinarian or a pet supply store, and an ear dry solution if your dog has a lot of ear infections.
Eight steps for bathing your dog:
When you have everything gathered up, its time to give your dog a bath! A word of warning is be sure to close the door to the bathroom or whatever room you’re using to bath them, you don’t want any escapee’s…
Step one: Brush you dog
Be sure to always brush you dog before giving them there bath (this is also an important step in weekly dog grooming) you want to remove loose hair, tangles, and mats – bathing them before your do this will only make the tangles worse.
Step two: It time to jump into the tub
Place your dog into the tub, if they will climb in the tub this is very helpful if not gently place your pet into the tub, remember you don’t want to scare them. This is when you will want to put the cotton balls in the ears and apply the protective eye ointment in there eyes if you’re so inclined.
Step three: Get your pet wet!
Checking the temperature of the water is important to your pet, make sure it is lukewarm. Start from the front and move to the back and the underneath, save his head for last – a dog with a dry head has less of a tendency to shake, since the best shakes start from the front and move back. You can keep a better hold of your pet with his hair dry around his neck and head.
Step four: Time for the Shampoo
You will want to use a generous amount of shampoo, (but go easy on the shampoo around his head and ears). Work the shampoo in to nice lather starting at the neck and moving back to the tail.Don’t forget to shampoo between their toes and make sure you get there bellly. If your dog has a longer coat, be sure to squeeze and press the shampoo through his hair rather than rubbing it, this can cause tangles.
Step five: Rinse and repeat if necessary
Rinse out the soap completely, Turn you hand over your dogs and check for any left over soap. Soap left on your dog can cause skin irritation. Be thorough when rinsing! If you dog is real dirty and smelly you may have reapply the soap to the offending areas wash and rinse again.
Step six: Wash the face last
Wet you dog’s head carefully and use your fingers or wash cloth to soap up his skull, muzzle and ears. Keep the soap away from his eyes.Rinse everything again from front to back and do one last check for soapy residue that may need rinsing.
Step seven: Apply the cream rinse
Once you have your dog completely rinsed, it is time to apply the Cream Rinse.A good hint to keep your cream rinse from going on to heavy, mix it half and half with water. Massage the cream rinse evenly all over your pet. I like to try and comb or brush the cream rinse into there coats, I feel this enhances their coat, and helps eliminates snarls in there coats. Be sure to rinse your pet thoroughly front to back as you did when you shampooed your dog.
Step eight: Prepare Yourself for the shake!
Remove the cotton balls from your dog’s ears.I have found if your hold a towel up and stand back your pet will shake themselves almost dry.Towel drying your dog as much as you can. If they have long hair remember to pat them dry this will help avoid tangles.If your dog will stand still for this, you can use a blow dryer to help dry them. After a pleasant bath your dog may go nuts!Expect a sudden burst of craziness – rolling and running threw the house. Keep them inside and out of drafts until they are completely dry.I have found that where ever your pet likes to lay, place a towel there to help absorb any excess water.
That is it; you are all done with your pet’s bath. See it isn’t that bad.Bathing your dog should be a regular practice with your dog grooming program.Be sure to have the appropriate grooming supplies and equipment on hand, makes theings so much easier during bath time.
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