How to Bathe a Yorkie

The Yorkshire terrier, or Yorkie, is a small and feisty toy breed of dog. They are very intelligent and agile and, despite their small size, make great watch dogs. The Yorkie does require regular grooming, which includes frequent baths. Unlike other dogs, the Yorkie needs a bath weekly or at least twice a month, depending upon the hair length on your pup.

Things You'll Need

  • Protein-enriched, no-tear dog shampoo
  • Dog conditioner
  • Cotton balls
  • Comb
  • Brush
  • Towel
  • Blow dryer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Prepare the bath area with everything you need before putting your Yorkie into the bath tub or sink. You don't want to be in the middle of the bath and realize you forgot something.

    • 2

      Place your dog on your lap, the floor or a table and brush all the hair out completely. After brushing, use a comb to be sure there are no mats or tangles in the fur. If you bathe your dog with knots in its hair, the water tends to tighten the knots up, making them virtually impossible to remove.

    • 3

      Turn on the water in the sink or tub and test it with your hand to make sure it's the appropriate lukewarm temperature for a comfortable bath.

    • 4

      Position your dog in the sink or tub. Wet your dog thoroughly, avoiding direct contact with the eyes and ears. If you are worried about water getting into your dog's ears, you can place small cotton balls within the ears prior to the bath to keep them safe and dry.

    • 5

      Apply a generous amount of protein-enriched, no-tear shampoo into the palm of your hand and rub your hands together before spreading the shampoo onto your dog. Form a nice, rich lather on your dog by making downward motions with your soapy hands. You want to avoid circular motions, which can cause the fur to snarl. Use your fingers to carefully place some shampoo around the face and eye area. Rinse your dog completely.

    • 6

      Dab a small amount of conditioner, about the size of a quarter, into the palm of your hand. Rub your hands together and proceed to spread the conditioner onto your dog's coat, tail and ears. Allow the conditioner to set for about five minutes before rinsing thoroughly for a squeaky clean coat on your Yorkie.

    • 7

      Squeeze excess water from your dog's hair, gently, before taking the Yorkie out of the tub and placing it in a towel. Dry the fur of your dog as well as you can without rubbing and causing any knots in its fur. You can place your Yorkie on a table and blow dry the coat as well on low heat. Be sure to blow the hair in the direction of the hair growth while brushing your dog at the same time. Brushing while drying helps the hair to dry quicker without knotting up.