Dog Grooming- Giving Your Dog A Bath
Most dogs, especially the long-haired breeds, don’t like the idea of getting wet. Given a choice, they would rather not take a bath. Washing your dog every once in a while is highly recommended, though. It improves its health and general appearance, and can also mean a cleaner home for you. However, not many dog owners know how to bath dogs the right way or even how frequently to do it. If yours is a long-haired dog, read on. This guide provides you with all what you wanted to know about the process: why it’s necessary, the procedure, how frequently to bath a dog, and more. It gives you tips on how to carry out the activity safely and effectively with a list of the mistakes to avoid. First, why it’s necessary that you wash your pup.
Why Bath Your Dog?
It helps to keep away health issues such as skin conditions, prevent odors, and generally keep the dog clean and well groomed. The hair on a dog’s body can harbor bacteria, fungi, and parasites. These can have an adverse effect on the pet’s hair and skin, with some risking its health. Grime and the oils in the hair of dogs can quickly develop into an unpleasant smell that’s more than the usual dog odor. Besides, who wants a pet with mud, dirt, and debris all over its body around?
How Often Do You Need to Bathe Your Dog?
It depends on many factors such as the dog’s coat, age, lifestyle, environment, health condition, and more. That means it can be every month for some, four times in a year for others and even daily for the dogs that are on treatment for a skin condition. Here the guidelines that apply to different dog breeds when it comes to bathing them.
• Most dogs can do with monthly baths if they usually stay indoors where they don’t come into contact with dirt
• Dogs who spend a lot of time outdoors require to be bathed often, especially if they’re fond of rolling on the ground and picking dirt and debris on their hair
• If your dog’s coat is thick, you do not need to give it frequent baths. However, lots of brushing is required to keep the skin healthy
• For the dogs with an oily coat, the recommended bathing frequency is once every week
• If your dog is short haired, you can extend the duration for baths to four times in a year. Also, if they have the type of coat that’s often dry
• For a puppy, it’s recommended that you wait for at least 40 days after they’re vaccinated before you can give them a bath
• If your dog is on a treatment for a skin condition, your vet might advise you to bathe it daily
Are there Dangers to Bathing a Dog?
While washing your long haired dog is necessary, it has its downsides. If bathed to many times and at short intervals, the pet can develop a skin and coat that’s too dry and generally itchy. That’s because washing removes the natural oils that make the skin soft and the hair healthy. Dry is skin is more prone to developing dandruff while dry hair Matt’s easily and appears generally unhealthy. Pet experts advise that you wash your pet with the guidelines that indicate how often a particular dog breed should be bathed in mind. Also, according to the dog’s health, age and other considerations. Done the right way, dog washing need not be a risk at all.
Where to Wash Your Dog
If your dog is the small-sized breed, you’re lucky. You can plop them in the sink and scrub them in there. For those with bigger ones who won’t fit in a sink, there are various other options. You could choose to use the tub- and there are the portable ones that are designed for dog bathing-or you can just wash them in the shower using a detachable shower nozzle. Another alternative could be washing them in a stream of water from a garden hose. Bathing your dog outdoors is not recommended unless the weather is right for that and if the dog is extremely dirty such as when it has rolled in mud. For outdoor bathing, you could use a bucket instead of a hose. The reason is that you cannot control the water temperature easily when using a hose. Also, don’t make outdoor bathing a usual thing, only occasionally.
The Procedure: How to Bathe a Dog
Once you’ve determined that your dog needs to be washed, the next step is preparing to do so by having all that’s required and the knowledge to do it correctly. The dog might prove uncooperative. That’s pretty normal, especially if it has not been bathed many times before, or if it’s their first bath. With time and with the right procedure to wash them, they will learn to hate it less and in the long run, might even look up to it. Here are the steps to follow.
1. Make sure the dog’s hair is smooth and straight before the bath- with no mats or tangles. Do that by brushing it and trimming any knots that might have formed. Brushing also helps to remove dead hairs so they don’t shed in the bathtub, sink or remain on the drying towel.
2. The next step of the process is preparing the water. If using a bathtub, fill it up to knee height with lukewarm water. Avoid using hot water which can be a problem if using water from an unregulated source. Always test it on your body to ensure it’s temperature is warm yet safe if used on a human baby.
3. Next, gently lift and place the dog in the tub or sink, all the while calming them verbally. If the dog offers resistance, do not use force to have them in the water. Use persuasion and if they won’t, you may use treats to get them to calm down.
4. Allow the dog to get used to the temperature and feel comfortable in the tub by gently spraying its back and shoulders with the water. You can use a dog sprayer for that, or a cup to pour the water on its body.
5. Wet the dog’s head, from the top, down to the neck, chest, and backside. Avoid getting water in its face or the ears. For the places around the nose, mouth, and ears, use a piece of wet cloth to wipe off dirt.
6. Apply dog shampoo along the backside and rub its lather into the skin. So that with gentle massages to ensures it goes into the hair on the dog’s whole body.
7. Wash the tummy, legs and up to the tail tip. In a nutshell, bath every body part
8. Scrub the paws to remove all the dirt. You could use a brush with soft bristles for that if the pet has been walking on bare ground outdoors
9. Next, rinse the dog’s body using warm water until all the shampoo has washed off. Start from the head going down along the back. Avoid soap getting in its eyes by using your hands to cover them. Should soap accidentally get in the eyes despite your efforts, don’t panic. Simply flush it out using plenty of clean water. Squeezing the hair between your fingers helps to remove as much soap as possible-and quickly.
10. Apply conditioner to the dogs hair. It helps to keep in moisture and prevent dandruff. It also prevents tangles or mats from forming and making dog grooming an uncomfortable experience.
Finally, pat the pet’s body with a towel to dry it. Start at the head and down to the other parts. Dogs dislike a wet head, and the faster it dries, the better. They might even try to dry themselves up by shaking their body. That’s perfectly fine for them. Only ensure they don’t go running and rolling on the ground before they’ve dried completely. Should you choose to use a drier, ensure the heat is regulated to avoid a situation where it causes discomfort to your pet.
Tips to Bath a Long Haired Dog
Because dogs with long hair don’t like getting themselves wet, you may need to use tricks to get them to take a bath without resisting. You don’t want any bath time to be a struggle between you and them, which may end up stressing them and giving you a difficult time. For a peaceful experience, follow these tips.
• Take your pup out for a walk before washing them. It helps to ready them for the activity
• Avoid yelling at your dog. Instead, use a friendly and coaxing voice. Ignore any unwelcome behavior and focus on the positive acts
• Make every bath time short. Have everything you need ready and work quickly but gently
• Shower the pet with praises for being a good guy
• Don’t forget several of the pet’s favorite treats. Offer them after bathing is over. The pet will associate bathing with a good time and offer less resistance in the future.
• Avoid letting water to get in their face and into their eyes and nose. It can be a scary and irritating experience that leaves your dog wary of baths
• Invest in a detachable shower nozzle of you prefer washing your dog in the shower
• A non-slip mat can help prevent accidents if you prefer using a tub to bathe your dog
• Use cotton balls to protect the ears of your pup during a bath. Water in the ears can result in dangerous infections. Besides that, it can make the activity irritating for the pet
• Always ensure the dog’s hair is thoroughly dried and adequately rinsed. Wetness can irritate while leftover suds dry the skin and cause it to itch
Things to Avoid When washing Your Dog
Bath time for your long haired dog can be a smooth and fun activity, but only if you know the things that make it so and avoiding those that don’t. Here are the mistakes many dog owners make and what to do to ensure they don’t occur.
Offering Rewards too Early
Avoid rewarding your pup too early before you’ve bathed them unless it’s necessary such as when trying to persuade them to get into a bathtub or sit still. Do it after the procedure so the dog learns to remain patient in the tub or sink. Treats are a great way to make a reluctant dog like their bath, but can mean the opposite or slow conditioning if done the wrong way.
Using Human Shampoo
Many dog owners make the mistake of using human shampoo on their dogs with the wrong belief that it works the same way. However, that’s not recommended. It can result in skin irritation. There are dog shampoos that are available at pet shops. These are made specifically for dogs and have all the qualities required to provide a thorough cleanup especially for the long-haired breeds. Additionally, you will need to use the right type for your dog. If in doubt, it’s advisable to seek a vet’s advice.
Barking Orders at the Dog
A dog that tries to run away from taking a bath can annoy its owner. You may feel irritated by the behavior, which causes you to order them around. Doing that can make the dog to dislike bath time and may even make the let to take a long time to become accustomed to it. Because you want to make the activity fun and harmless, it’s often a good idea to control your anger. Use sweet voice and remain calm. Praise the pup for each step it takes to make the process easier. It’s better than having to struggle to make them washable.
Rinsing the Dog Using a Garden Hose
The water from the hose can be unbearably cold, and your dog might not like it at all. Besides, that would mean having the dog outdoors and which can be risky and uncomfortable if the weather is too cold. Furthermore, cold water is not the best to rinse off shampoo. Washing your dog outside is only advisable if the weather is adequately warm and if the dog’s health is stable enough. For long-haired breeds, ensure they dry up quickly enough and completely when you wash them outdoors.
Dog grooming takes many forms, among them bathing. Because of the possibility of dirt hiding in the long hair and causing skin, coat, and odor problems for your long haired dog, it’s necessary that you give them a proper bath and at the right time. It helps to keep their coat and skin healthy and can make the pet attractive to look at. You only need to ensure you follow the right procedure and the bathing frequency for your dog’s type, age, and health.