How to Bathe a Wheaten Terrier

Bathing your wheaten terrier the right way begins long before the actual bath and continues between baths. A high level of work goes into taking care of a wheaten terrier, according to the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of America. Maintaining a healthy, clean coat makes your dog smell, look and feel better. Fighting a dog, even a from a breed that typically weighs only 25 to 40 pounds, during a bath makes the experience bad for owner and dog. Doing proper grooming between baths helps make bathing much easier.

Things You'll Need

  • Comb
  • Brush
  • Clippers (optional)
  • Water container or spray hose
  • Bath mat or a nonslip bathtub surface
  • Dog shampoo
  • Scissors
  • Washcloth
  • Towels
  • Blow dryer (optional)
  • Leash or slip lead
  • Collar (optional)
  • Blow dryer (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Keep the coat brushed and combed every day to prevent mats from forming, as they cause skin irritation and make bathing painful due to irritated, sensitive skin. Check the coat and feet daily for any debris, such as twigs or leaves, which may tangle in the wheaten terrier's soft silky hair, advises dog trainer and author Norma Bennett Woolf.

    • 2

      Learn to cut its coat, which grows continuously, or take it to a groomer for regular clipping every one to two months to make bathing easier. Consider short length cuts, if you do not compete with your dog at confirmation shows, to make grooming less difficult.

    • 3

      Keep your dog's ears clean and clip ear hairs -- or ask the groomer to trim them -- in order to avoid infections or soreness that make bathing painful.

    • 4

      Prepare your supplies -- including water container or spray hose, a bath mat or material to prevent the dog from slipping in the bathtub, dog shampoo, scissors, washcloth, towels and blow dryer -- prior to the bath.

    • 5

      Put a collar and leash, slip lead or tethering cord on the dog. Brush or comb through the coat, working out any mats if possible. Pick the dog up and place in the tub unless it can safely jump in without sliding.

    • 6

      Use warm water from a container or spray hose to wet the dog. Lather the wheaten terrier with dog shampoo, working the soap into the coat and skin for approximately ten minutes, suggests Vetinfo. Clip any remaining mats with scissors. Use a washcloth to clean the face and ears. Rinse the coat thoroughly.

    • 7

      Dry the excess water with a towel and keep the dog warm until dry. Consider using a blow dryer on the wheaten terrier to help fluff the hair.