WHY ARE BATHS IMPORTANT?
Bathing your dog when needed is an important part of general pet care. The benefits of bathing include cleaning the skin and coat, which helps to remove loose hair and debris and improve the hair coat’s shine.
It’s recommended that your dog should be bathed every 4-6 weeks depending on their coat type.
WHAT SHOULD I DO BEFORE THE BATH?
Before jumping right into bathing your dog, you want to help them feel calm and comfortable during the process. If this takes a few days or a few weeks before you give them their first bath, it will be worth it in the long run. This is true when introducing your dog to anything new. Your main goal is to create a positive association. You can do this by offering treats, toys, or affection when they are displaying behaviors you want to encourage.
Take baby steps and only move on to the next step when they are calm and comfortable with what they’re doing. You can start this by having them get in and out of the empty tub, while giving them toys and praise, then work your way up to the sound of running water and then the feeling of the luke warm water on their feet or belly. Repeat as needed, and slowly increase the amount of time.
When you’re ready for the bath itself, collect all the supplies you’ll need. This includes shampoo and conditioner, towels, treats, and maybe a slip lead if necessary. If you’re bathing them in your bathtub at home, I recommend using a non-slip mat at the bottom so your dog will feel secure while standing and turning around in the tub.
It’s a good idea to brush your dog out before and after the bath, especially if they have long-hair or a double coat. Any tangles they have will become tighter if they aren’t brushed out before getting wet. Thick hair can also hold moisture close to the skin which can cause skin irritation after the bath. If your dog is prone to ear infections, try putting cotton balls in their ears to prevent any water and moisture from getting inside.
WHAT PRODUCTS SHOULD I USE?
When choosing a dog shampoo you should consider what type of coat your pet has, and any skin conditions or allergies they may have. Dry, itchy skin is very common for dogs so I tend to opt for shampoos with natural ingredients such as oatmeal, honey, and vitamin E. If your pet every becomes more itchy after a bath, I would suggest trying a hypoallergenic shampoo. It’s a good idea to avoid heavily scented shampoos or ones with harsh chemicals. The shampoo line we use at Custom Pet Grooming is Tropiclean SPA.
TROPICLEAN SPA SHAMPOO
This rich combination of moisturizing kiwi and essential vitamins is designed to leave your pet’s skin and coat feeling silky smooth. The SPA Comfort aromatherapy effects of lavender and the soothing effects of hydrolyzed oatmeal combine to relieve stress and calm the soul.
TROPICLEAN SPA CONDITIONER
This luxurious conditioner with plant extracts and essential vitamins promotes hair sheen and capillary conditioning. SPA Nourish conditioner’s powerful blend of ginger, botanical moisturizers, and warm vanilla helps repair your pet’s coat. Anti-static agents calm hair while botanical emollients strengthen the coat, leaving hair incredibly revitalized, full, and manageable.
TROPICLEAN SPA FACE WASH
This lightly foaming facial cleanser soothes and balances the skin. This mild, concentrated formula has natural exfoliating activity and gently hydrates. The refreshing blend of vanilla and blueberry effectively removes dirt and tear stains, and will not irritate eyes. SPA Facial Cleanser is great for all skin types and pets of all ages.
OTHER BRANDS I LIKE
- Only Natural Pet – https://amzn.to/2wn2bYP
- FURminator – https://amzn.to/39Rc2Um
- CHI for Dogs – https://amzn.to/2UQ7Srx
- Earthbath – https://amzn.to/2USv20C
- Tropiclean – https://amzn.to/2V91fj9
WHERE SHOULD I WASH MY DOG?
If you have a smaller dog you have the advantage of potentially using a laundry sink, but if you have a larger dog you may need to use your bathtub or shower. I suggest using a rubber bath mat so your dog has firm footing and feels secure when standing in the tub. It’s a good idea to get a detachable shower head with a long hose so you can reach around and under your dog with the water.
QUICK CONNECT SHOWERHEAD
This pet shower sprayer is easy to instal and great for attaching to any shower head. It’s easy to clip it on during your pet’s bath and then store it away. Water flow can be turned off at the hand piece, and the nose is 8ft which makes bathing easier.
A portable doggy tub is also an option, some are made of heavy plastic and others are collapsible and can be stored away. Once the weather is warmer, some owners choose to bathe their dog outside. Dogs don’t like cold water so I suggest finding a way to bathe them with warm water if you do decide to bathe them outside.
HOW DO I GIVE MY DOG A BATH?
Now that you and your dog are all ready, let’s get started!
Wet dog using luke warm water: Start by testing the water with your hand and adjust as necessary. This allows the dog to get comfortable with the sound of the running water. Once they are calm, slowly introduce the water to their feet and belly first and then get their whole body wet.
Apply shampoo: Put your chosen dog some shampoo into your hand and lather it up, then massage is into their coat and skin. Make sure to get it all over; concentrate on areas that may be dirtier like their belly and feet, and wash their bum last. Feel free to use more water if you missed a spot or the shampoo isn’t lathering as much as you’d like.
Quickly rinse shampoo: If you’re using conditioner, the first rinse doesn’t have to be too thorough; just get the majority of the shampoo off and wet their fur again.
Apply conditioner (optional): Same as the shampoo, put your chosen conditioner into your hand and lather it up, then massage is into their coat and skin.
Wash their face: While the conditioner sits on their fur for a minute you can wash your dog’s face. This is the part of the bath that most dogs like the least. Turn down the water and very carefully wet the face, using your hand to block the water from going into the nose. Then you’ll want to use a tearless face shampoo to carefully lather around their ears and mouth, and use your thumbs to gently clean the fur in front of the eyes. Even though it’s tearless shampoo, you want to avoid getting it into their eyes as much as possible.
Final Rinse: Now it’s time to rinse them off as thoroughly as possible. Use your left hand to feel for shampoo, and make sure the water gets to hard to reach places like under their legs, their belly, their chest, and their chin. Shampoo left on their fur can cause skin irritation so make sure it’s all rinsed away.
Towel dry: Using a towel start with their face and gently remove as much water as you can, then dry off the rest of their body. Use a towel or cotton balls to dry out the inside of the ears after the bath; this can help prevent ear infections caused by moisture.
Blow Dry (optional): If you have a handheld blow dryer, you can use this to dry off your dog. I suggest either using no heat, or low heat settings; you want to be careful that the air isn’t too hot and burns their sensitive skin. You can move your other hand through the fur to help dry it quicker, and to feel to make sure the hair isn’t too hot. With longer haired dogs you can also use a brush to fluff them up while they are drying.
ALL DONE
And with that, we’re all done the bath! I hope this video and article were helpful for learning more about bathing your dog at home. Feel free to comment or message me any time with any questions you may have. I’ve been giving a lot of advice through my Facebook page, linked below.
I have more how-to videos recorded that I’m working on now, so stay tuned for those. Thank you so much, and stay healthy!
Custom Pet Grooming 