Giving a Bath to Your Dog

Giving a bath to your dog or to a whole group of dogs can sometimes be a very difficult task. However, you have to do it because it's a necessity to keep them clean and cool, especially during the heat of summer. The task doesn't have to be difficult, though! There are many things that you can do to make the experience easier for both you and your pets.

First, make sure that you have a positive attitude about giving a bath to your dog. If you feel scared or inconvenienced by giving your dog a bath, chances are that he will also feel that same way. A bath is a good thing to keep them smelling nice and healthy - remember that! Once you see baths for your dog as a good thing, then it will become easier for you. You will enter the task thinking that it is an important task, and not something that you are forced to do.

It is a good idea to give your dog a long walk before giving him a bath. This way, your dog will be calmed down and his stress levels reduced. Let him rest for a while after his walk while you collect all that you will nee during the bath - your dog's soap and/or shampoo, towels, and any other thing that you might need so that they will all be within reach once you start.

Begin the bath with a no-nonsense action of slipping a leash on your dog and leading him into the bath area. Without any anxiety from you in the form of baby talk or such, your dog will not feel anxiety as well. Start off by wetting him gently with water, and the increasing the water pressure once he is used to the water. Start from the neck and shoulders down to the end of his body, leaving his face for last. Afterwards, rinse him thoroughly, as shampoo left behind can irritate him.

After the bath, towel dry your dog and/or dry him off gently using a blow dryer. Don't allow him to go outside right away though, as some dogs tend to "re-scent" themselves by rolling in the dirt!

For dogs that enter fashion competitions, or for those that are just "fashionista," the dog would need at least a weekly bath to ensure that their coat remains as smooth and silky as possible. The dog also needs to be brushed right after the bath, to prevent clumps from forming due to the wet fur.

If you don't make a bug fuss about giving a bath to your dog, you will soon realize that it really isn't! You and your dog will begin loving bath time, for sure!