How to Get Stuck-On Dirt Off My Dog

Your dog has had fun in the mud and has the fur to prove it. If mud or dirt remains in the fur for too long, it gets trapped, cakes up and becomes harder to remove. However, with a good brushing and thorough bath, that stuck-on dirt is no longer a problem.

Things You'll Need

  • Bristle brush
  • Fine-toothed dog comb
  • Dog shampoo
  • Dog conditioner
  • Large cup
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Instructions

    • 1

      Brush the dog's hair by running a bristle brush through it. For longer haired dogs, grasp the hair below the root and brush from the tip of the hair and up toward the root. Work in small sections. This loosens any dirt or grime stuck in the hair.

    • 2

      Plug up the drain in the bathtub. Turn on the water. Add a few drops of dog shampoo to the running water. Run enough water to cover your dog's feet and some of the legs.

    • 3

      Place your dog in the bathtub. Pour water from the bathtub over your dog with a large cup. Saturate the dog's hair.

    • 4

      Apply an ample amount of dog shampoo down the middle of the dog's back. Work the shampoo through the fur.

    • 5

      Apply shampoo to the sides, legs, chest and tail of the dog. Work the shampoo through the fur. Let the shampoo stay on for at least three minutes. Fill the cup up with fresh, warm water. Rinse the shampoo out of the dog's fur. Gently run your hand through the fur. This helps get the shampoo out of the fur.

    • 6

      Apply a small amount of shampoo to a wet cloth. Scrub your dog'' face, ears and head with the cloth. Avoid the eyes, nose, mouth and inner ear when scrubbing.

    • 7

      Rinse out the cloth with warm water. Rub the cloth over the dog's head, face and ears to eliminate a majority of the shampoo.

    • 8

      Place your hands over the dog's eyes. Pour a small amount of clean, warm water over the dog's head.

    • 9

      Wash your dog's hair once more. This thoroughly eliminates any remaining dirt or grime on the dog.

    • 10

      Apply a conditioner to your dog's fur. Work the conditioner into the fur in the same manner as the shampoo. Rinse as necessary.

    • 11

      Drain the water in the tub. Wrap a large towel around your dog and gently dry it off. Remove your dog from the tub.

    • 12

      Brush or comb your dog with a bristle brush or fine-toothed dog comb while the fur is still damp. This eliminates mats in the fur which can trap dirt.