Depending on the breed and temperament of your dog, bathing can be a difficult process for many pet owners. It’s quite common for many dogs to balk at the prospect of being submerged in water in the bathtub or sprayed with water outdoors with the backyard hose. If you are looking to make bath time easier, cleaner, and faster, you have come to the right place. In this post, we will look at three things you shouldn’t do if you want you and your dog to enjoy a simpler, neater bath experience.

1. Don’t Bathe Your Dog in The Wrong Area: Obviously, if you have a Doberman, you’re not going to be able to bathe them in your kitchen sink and if you have a Pomeranian you want to be extra careful about bathing them in your bathtub (they’re just little guys after all, and that big tub can be pretty scary). Pick the appropriate bathing spot for your dog. This could be different for everyone. You might also notice that your medium-sized or larger dog does better when being bathed outdoors with a hose rather than in the bathtub. Pay attention to how your dog behaves during bath time and try different settings until you find the right one for them.
2. Don’t Neglect Basic Safety: If you routinely bathe your dog in the bathtub, you’ll probably need to make sure they aren’t slipping the whole time that they are in the tub. Not only does this make bathing more difficult, it puts their safety at risk. Put a non-slip mat in your bathtub so that they have something to grip on to with their paws. If you don’t have a mat, you can always lay down an old towel to provide the same level of security. Additionally, some dogs are particularly skittish during bath tub, so for added safety, you might need a second person to help keep your dog steady during bath time. Having a helper by your side is beneficial and that person will also be able to pet your dog and sooth them, thus making them more comfortable during their bath.
3. Don’t Skip Bathing Steps: Bathing a dog doesn’t have to be an arduous process, but you shouldn’t try to rush bath time or skip over steps. Once your dog is in their bathing station whether that is the tub or in the backyard by the hose, make sure they have been completely soaked with water (the water should be neither too hot or too cold, so somewhere in the middle). Soak their fur coat, legs, paws, and behind their ears. If you aren’t working with a hose or sprayer, carefully pour water over your dog with a bucket. After getting your pup completely wet, start shampooing them with bathing products designed specifically for dogs. Make sure the soap does not enter their eyes and ears. It is best to make sure you adequately protect your dog’s eyes and ears before you start bathing. When shampooing your dogs, you could use either a body bar (easier to use for lathering) or liquid shampoo. Most pet grooming professionals would suggest that if you are using liquid shampoo, you combine it with warm water and use that concoction on their skin. This makes it easier to bathe all areas of your pup sufficiently.

Are you in need of more advice on how to properly bathe your dog? Or do you have a particular question related to grooming? Feel free to contact us today! We are happy to help you keep your furry friend clean and happy. If you’re interested in learning about our bathing and grooming services, we’d love to talk to you!