How to Give a Long Haired Dog a Perfect Bath

Every dog eventually needs a bath. Dogs get dirty, dogs get smelly. Inevitably, dogs will give their owners a reason to make them clean again. Dogs with long coats, however, also need to be given baths for health reasons. Unlike dogs with short coats, long-haired dog coats can pick up debris that can conceal parasites or cause sores.

Things You'll Need

  • Pin brush
  • Slicker brush
  • Metal comb
  • Mat splitter
  • Soft cloth or tissue
  • Spray bottle of water
  • Dog shampoo
  • Coat conditioner
  • Water hose with sprayer
  • Towel
  • Blow dryer or forced-air dryer
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Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dog

    • 1

      Clean the dog's face with a soft cloth. Dampen the cloth if necessary to remove dirt from around the eyes and mouth.

    • 2

      Mist the dog's coat with water from a spray bottle. Use a pin brush to remove all dirt and debris from the surface of the coat.

    • 3

      Break apart mats using a mat splitter and metal comb. Split mats in the original direction of the coat growth to preserve as much hair length as possible. Work hair loose from the divided mat using the teeth of the metal comb. Take your time to avoid unnecessary pulling and tearing.

    Bathing the Dog

    • 4

      Place a towel, shampoo and conditioner near the tub or sink in which the dog will be bathed. They should be close enough for you to reach without leaving the dog unattended.

    • 5

      Fill the tub or sink with lukewarm water up to approximately the level of the dog's pasterns. Lukewarm water is not only more comfortable for your dog but also makes the shampoo more effective.

    • 6

      Place the dog in the water. Your dog may try to jump right out again, so hold onto it until you are certain it is calm and will remain in the tub.

    • 7

      Pour shampoo into the cupped palm of one hand. Apply the shampoo on the surface of the coat along the spine, in the long fur of the ruff and the tail and in any feathering along the dog's legs, as well as under its chest and stomach. According to dog breeder and AKC judge Pat Hastings, you should bathe a dog "with the lay of the hair." So start at the front of the dog and leave the coat lying flat as you work toward its tail.

    • 8

      Massage the shampoo into your dog's coat. Pat Hastings says to "knead the shampoo in as if you were washing a fine sweater." Work the shampoo into any remaining matted coat to separate the hairs.

    • 9

      Rinse the dog with warm water until the rinse water runs clear.

    • 10

      Repeat Steps 5 and 6.

    • 11

      Apply coat conditioner. As with shampoo, less is more when applying conditioner. Hastings cautions to "be careful not to add too much oil to the coat, as oil attracts dirt and dirt is one of the most damaging elements to a dog's coat." Let the conditioner stand several minutes, or as directed on the label. Rinse the conditioner as thoroughly as you did the shampoo.

    • 12

      Towel the dog's body dry before removing it from the tub or from the utility sink. Doing so will make it easier to handle the dog for the final steps.

    Drying the Dog

    • 13

      Select an area where the dog can stand comfortably and feel secure. Large dogs can be blown dry while standing on the floor.

    • 14

      Blow dry the dog along the lay of the hair. Use a cool setting and the lowest speed to avoid burning your dog or doing damage to its coat. Separate the hairs using the comb or pin brush.

    • 15

      Dry the dog's ruff using the dryer against the lay of the hair for a fuller appearance. Use the comb to separate the hairs, starting with the wide-spaced teeth and finishing with the narrow-spaced end.

    • 16

      Comb out the rest of the dog's coat while blowing it dry.

    • 17

      Praise your dog and give it a treat.