How to Give a Standard Poodle Dog a Bath

When most people think of poodles, they think of the miniature variety. Standard poodles are the breed's much larger counterpart, and one of the more difficult breeds to groom because of their dense coat. Grooming includes bathing, brushing and clipping the coat. It also can include cleaning the ears and clipping nails. Poodle should be groomed every four to six weeks but bathing may be done every three to four weeks, especially if your dog plays in mud or dirt often. Professional dog grooming can be expensive so many owners bathe their poodles themselves and allow the groomer to do everything else.

Things You'll Need

  • Bathtub or portable tub.
  • Hose
  • Water sprayer
  • Cotton balls
  • Dog shampoo
  • Dog coat conditioner
  • Large towel
  • Blow dryer
  • Dog comb
  • Scissors or clippers
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Instructions

    • 1

      Prep the standard poodle for the bath. Cut or gently comb out any tangles or knots because water will only worsen them. If you plan on cutting the dog's coat, do it before the bath. Put a cotton ball in each ear to prevent water from getting in the ear canal. Push it just far enough for the cotton ball to stay in place and no further. Be careful not push it in too far or you may damage the dog's ear canal. Put the dog in the tub and give him the stay command.

    • 2

      Apply the shampoo to your standard poodle, starting at the top of the dog and working your way down. Do not wet the dog yet. Dry application of the shampoo helps you have more control of where the shampoo goes. Avoid getting the shampoo in the poodle's eyes and ears, which can cause irritation.

    • 3

      Rinse the shampoo off with warm water from the sprayer or hose, starting at the top and working your way down. Apply conditioner to soften the coat and give it shine. Let it sit for about five minutes to give it time to fully penetrate the coat.

    • 4

      Rinse the conditioner off with warm water twice, starting at the top and working your way down. The coat of a standard poodle is very thick and resists water penetration. Make sure that water penetrates the coat and that there is no more product on the poodle. Using your hands, wring out any excess water from the coat. Towel dry your poodle until he is damp and then finish with the blow dryer.