Giving Dogs a Bath

Dogs are a lot of fun to have as pets. They are affectionate, and they also make for excellent companions. However, they also require a considerable amount of responsibility in terms of making sure that they remain healthy. One of the ways for owners to ensure the health of a dog is to make sure the dog stays clean. So, it is important to know how to bathe a dog

  1. Supplies

    • Before the dog can be bathed, it is important to assemble all of the necessary supplies. Equally important is making sure that all of the supplies are close by, as a wet dog should not be left unattended.

      The first thing that will be needed is either a comb or a brush, depending on the length and thickness of the coat. Dog shampoo is the next thing that will be needed. Some dog owners think it is fine if they just go ahead and use human shampoo, but the reality is that the pH of human shampoo can irritate canine skin, as well as harm the appearance of their coat.

      Cotton balls will also be needed. When gently placed at the opening of the ears (not stuck in too deeply), the cotton balls protect the ears from soap and water. If the weather permits, it is easier to bathe larger dogs outside. In this case, a hose will be needed. However, if the dog is being bathed indoors, the dog should be bathed in the bathtub with a plastic pitcher or a removable showerhead. Be sure to have a screen in place over the drain to prevent hair from clogging it up. Lastly, a couple of towels will be needed to dry off the dog.

    Brushing

    • It is very important to brush the dog immediately before giving the dog a bath. The brushing will get out any tangles that are present, especially in longhaired dogs. If the dog has tangles and is not brushed before his or her bath, the tangles will become worse.

    Bathing

    • Once the brushing has been finished, it is time to lead or place the dog into the tub. If the dog is outside, make sure the dog is secured by a leash before turning on the hose. Next, place the cotton balls gently in each ear.

      The water should be lukewarm, as that is the temperature that the dog feels most comfortable in. Slowly pour water over the front of the dog, gradually working to the back, and then wetting the underside of the dog. A tip is to keep the head of the dog dry at this point, since when dogs have a wet head they have an impulse to want to shake.

      Now it is time to use the shampoo. Work a small amount through the coat. To avoid tangles, squeeze the shampoo through the coat of longhaired dogs. Rinse, and wash the head. Finally, remove the cotton balls and dry the dog with the towels.