How to Bathe a Dog in Cold Weather

Winter weather means cold, snowy and wet conditions for most people. The majority of people spend a good deal of time during the winter indoors due to adverse weather, and keep their pets indoors with them. Many breeds of dogs are well-suited for cold weather and love to play in the snow. This playtime, however, comes with the downside of a muddy, dirty pet. Bathing your dog during the winter can seem intimidating, but is a simple process with the right supplies.

Things You'll Need

  • Brush
  • Dog shampoo
  • Small heater
  • Towels
  • Hair dryer
  • Dry shampoo
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Instructions

    • 1

      Turn up the heat in your home. You want to make sure your bathroom is very warm to avoid your dog getting chilled. Place a small heater in there if you prefer to heat just a single room.

    • 2

      Brush your dog thoroughly. You want to make sure you have removed any mats and excess hair before placing your dog in the bathtub.

    • 3

      Lay a number of old towels on the floor. The towels will help dry the dog's feet quickly and absorb any dripping water while drying your pet.

    • 4

      Fill your bathtub with a few inches of warm water. The water should be warm enough to be comfortable for your dog but not so hot as to burn her skin.

    • 5

      Apply a liberal amount of shampoo to your dog and lather him up. Be sure to scrub all the way down to the skin to remove any mud or excess body oils from the dog's skin.

    • 6

      Rinse the dog well, taking care to rinse every trace of soap from your dog's coat. Use clean water to assure you leave no residue on the skin.

    • 7

      Remove the dog from the bathtub and set her on the towels. Rub vigorously with a towel to remove as much water from the coat as possible.

    • 8

      Turn the hair dryer on it's lowest heat setting and blow-dry the dog. Many dogs are initially frightened of the hair dryer, so talk to him and reassure him as you dry.

    • 9

      Use a dry shampoo if you do not want to bathe your dog in the tub. Dry shampoo normally comes in a liquid spray form. Apply a liberal amount of the spray to the coat, brush it into the hair, and towel dry the dog. Dry shampooing will not clean the dog as well as a wet bath, but is an acceptable substitution during extremely poor winter weather.