Dog Washing Tips

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Dog Washing Tips

Summertime is one of the best times to plan outdoor adventures with your dog. A trip to the beach, playtime in the sprinklers, or hike at the local state park is the perfect way to spend a hot summer day, but when you return, your dog will need a good bath.

If you want to maintain their beautiful coat and promote good skin health, here are several things that can help you make bath time some healthy, clean fun for you and your pup.

Make bathtime a positive experience.

Many dogs hate getting bathed, which can make it more difficult for you to get a good scrub in (especially if they’re big and fight you the entire time). Rather than wrestling your dog during their baths, try to make the experience as pain-free as possible. Reward them with treats and if possible, spend time training them for bath time by slowly conditioning them to each part of the process.

Shampoo twice, condition once.

Because your dog doesn’t wash its hair nearly as often as you do, you’ll need to shampoo at least twice to properly clean both their hair and skin. Three shampoos may even be necessary for a double-coated dog. Follow with a conditioner formulated for their coat type to ensure they look and feel silky smooth after the bath.

Dilute shampoo using warm water.

Generally speaking, you should use warm water for your dog as you would yourself in the bath. This will make the experience more pleasant and help you dilute the shampoo to make it easier to use. Scrubbing a dog with a thick coat can be difficult if the shampoo is not properly diluted. You can quickly spray your dog with the shower head or use a spray bottle to coat your dog with shampoo and warm water.

Wash their face with a washcloth.

Washing your dog’s face is especially difficult because it is so sensitive, and you want to avoid getting shampoo in their eyes. The best way to do this is to wet a washcloth and use a small amount of shampoo to wash their fur gently. Then, rinse with the washcloth thoroughly while avoiding the eyes.

Rinse their coat thoroughly.

The most important part of your bath is to make sure every bit of the product is removed before letting them shake it out. Shampoo and conditioner residue can irritate the skin if left to dry, so be thorough and rise several times before ending bathtime.

Jazz’s Wonderland offers a bath and blow dry service that leaves your pet feeling refreshed and relaxed after a long day at daycare. If you have trouble bathing your pup, schedule a bath with us to make the process hassle-free!