Please Bathe Your Dog

Some dogs may prefer not to be bathed, but you must try to be disciplined in this area and get the job done. 

Bathing your Dog is necessary for the health of your dog’s coat and skin, keeping your dog clean and free of dirt and parasites and allowing you to be close to them without shying away from you much loved pet in disgust of the smell.

Yep, just relax and let us be honest about how important to you it is that your Pooch is nice and clean.

The added bonus of making your dog more enjoyable to be around is that as members of the family learn about the successful bathing, the more people will line up wishing to closely interact with you furry family member.

Regardless of your particular ‘Human’ circumstances, your Dog needs a bath on a regular basis.  Even if it is a bit of a hassle for you and if your Dog has somehow telepathically communicated to you that just the very thought of being washed is very stressful for them.  

The regularity of the baths for your dog depends of a number of things such as your home layout, possible dog washing facilities, the backyard layout and the type of coat they have.

I personally think once a fortnight works well for me and I’ve had quite a few dogs over my many years.

I personally think that each pet parent should do some research on this subject based on the specifics of their pet.  

The other far better option is to simply take your Dog to your local neighbourhood very highly qualified Vet.

For my mind, problems about the optimal bathing routine and specific do’s and don’ts when bathing your particular breed of dog.  

The last thing you want to do is create problems for your dog by stripping away natural oils from your dogs coat or causing skin irritation by using the wrong shampoo etc.

Having said that, if they stink, let’s face it, they are getting a bath.  

No More Playing Around You Are Getting A Bath.

If your dog doesn’t like bathing, try feeding them while they’re getting a bath as this will help your pet link bath time with something they really love doing, ‘feeding their face’.

Some of your dog’s shampoo will be absorbed into his or her skin or licked off, and the rest will be washed down the drain and eventually end up in waterways. 

As such I think it’s a very good idea to look for non-toxic and biodegradable options, even though that makes sense, I imagine at times we can be in a rush and don’t take the time to read the dog shampoo label fully.

From my experience, these shampoos are just as effective at keeping your dog clean, silky, and smelling nice as options that might not clearly identify as being non-toxic and biodegradable. 

A good tip to remember is that to brush your dog before bathing, since matted hair retains water and can cause skin discomfort.

Take your dog to a grooming business or call a mobile service to come to your home if you can’t brush or cut the mats out yourself.

As our dog’s skin differs from ours and hot water can easily burn them, use lukewarm water. Bath water should never be hotter than 38 degrees Celsius, and even cooler for some larger breeds of dogs that can overheat rather easily.

Always rinse a few times, never just once as any soap left in their fur can irritate your dog’s skin once they’re dry and please don’t use your hair dryers to dry them off, that air is far too hot and can harm them.

However, you can buy specialized blow dryers for pets if you want but most will say that after you’ve towelled them off, just let them air dry, it’s the safest option.

What Should I Do If My Dog Refuses To Be Washed?

Regardless of how nice a Human Being you might consider yourself to be and how much you love you Dog, some pets just simply refuse to be washed.

Sure, you might understand that bathing your fox terrier, Stinger, has become quite a challenge due to his fear and aversion to water.

It’s essential to find a way to keep him clean and odour-free without causing him/her undue stress.

Below are tips you can take on that will hopefully bath time more manageable for both you and your Dog.

1.    Gradual Introduction to Water:  Start by getting your Dog comfortable with the bathroom environment.

a.   Bring him/her into the bathroom without any water running and let them explore the situation.

b.   Reward them with a treat and give them a bit of praise for staying calm. 

c.   Place a rubber mat or towel in the bathtub to provide better footing for your dog, some if not most dogs will feel more secure on a non-slip surface. 

d.   A good tip is to trim their nails before bath time to prevent slipping around.

2.   Positive Associations Can Work:  Associate your bathroom with positive experiences for your Dog.

a.   Although this might sound a little silly, spend time playing with your Dog in the bathroom, even when you’re not planning to bathe him/her. 

b.   Gradually introduce water by pouring small amounts over their legs and back. Use a washcloth to clean your Dogs face gently.

c.   Reward them with treats for staying calm during these sessions.

3.   Short Sessions without Water: Initially, place your Dog in the tub without turning on the tap.

a.   Give them a nice pat and some affection and lots of verbal praise.

b.   Use a leash at first, just in case they try to escape. 

c.   Gradually increase the time he/she spends in the tub without water.

d.   Continue rewarding them for staying calm on each occasion.

4.   Desensitisation to Water:  Once your Doggie is nice and comfortable with being in the tub, start pouring warm water over them using a smallish container.

a.   Begin with short sessions and gradually increase the water amount with slightly larger container. 

b.   Please be cautious around their face though, use a washcloth instead of pouring water directly on it.  

c.   Lift their chin and nose to prevent water from getting in his/her eyes or nose.

5.   They Will Love Post-Bath Rewards:  After bath time, give your Dog a long-lasting chew toy or treat.

a.   This positive association will help them think fondly about bath time and hopefully tolerate baths a litter better each time. 

b.   Consider using a pet spray attachment for your shower once they become more accustomed to water.

6.   Alternative Cleaning Methods:  If your Dog remains uncomfortable and a little scared of baths, consider alternatives:

a.   Dry Shampoo: Although I’ve never tried it, there are now quite a few dog-specific dry/waterless shampoo products to freshen your Dog up without water, one that comes to mind if Fuzzyard, I’ve heard good things of this one and I’m pretty sure you can get it from Pet Circle.

b.   Pet Wet Wipes: Use pet-safe wet wipes to clean specific areas, there is a surprisingly large amount of these available from inside your Pet Shops and online too.  There are Aloe Vera, Cocoa Butter, Green Tea products and even ones for giving their bum a clean up.

7.   Professional Grooming: Although I think most professional groomers do actually specialise in handling dogs that are very anxious and negative towards the bath experience (that’s their job), if your dog is especially problematic when it comes to bath time, be sure to mention it. 

a.   You could even try getting someone to record a video of what it is like for you to try and give Fido a bath, there’s nothing like a video to give the groomers a first hand view of the situation.

Remember folks, patience is golden when trying to get your Dog comfortable with regular bathing.  They will love positive reinforcement and just gradually build up their tolerance to water.

In most cases they will eventually become more accepting of baths.

If you continue to struggle and their not so nice odour persists and is staring to make you feel sick, consult your friendly neighbourhood veterinarian to rule out any underlying health issues or skin problems.