Frequent baths keeps dog’s fur and skin healthy. If you are traveling with your dog, or can’t make it to your personal groomer, here’s a step-by-step guide to bathing your dog at home.
What You’ll Need:
- Thick Bath Towels
- Dog Shampoo
- Dog Conditioner (optional)
- Brush/Comb
- Cotton Balls
Not sure what grooming products to use? Check out our top picks here!
How To Bathe Your Dog(At Home):
1. Brush Your Dog
Before you get your dog in the bath, brush/comb their fur thoroughly. This step is especially important for medium to long-haired dogs. If your dog’s fur has tangles or mats, water will make it worse and harder to brush through.
2. Put Cotton Balls In Your Dog’s Ears
Dogs can get an ear infection from water being trapped in their ear canals. Using cotton balls in your dog’s ears will prevent water from getting in. For larger dogs, a whole cotton ball will fit well. For smaller dogs, break a cotton ball in half and place in each ear.
3. Wet Your Dog
Start by wetting your dog’s backside with lukewarm water, working your way up to their head. Water that is too hot or too cold can dry out their skin, so be sure to check the water’s temperature before starting.
4. Apply Shampoo & Lather
Just like with the water, begin applying shampoo at your dog’s rear and work your way up. When lathering, make sure to focus on the dirtiest parts(i.e. paws, legs, tail, belly). Avoid getting shampoo in your dog’s eyes and nose as it can irritate them.
5. Rinse Well, And The Rinse Again
Once you’ve lathered up your dog well enough, begin rinsing the shampoo off. Once you feel like you’ve rinsed them enough, rinse them again. Trust us, you’ll need to. Dog’s fur is really good at trapping things, even shampoo, and this can cause itchiness, irritation, and even infection in some cases.
6. Remove Cotton Balls
Remove the cotton balls from your dog’s ears(if they haven’t shaken them out already).
7. Dry Your Dog
Use a couple of thick towels to get off as much water as possible. If you need more drying, use can use a hair dryer on the COOL setting ONLY.
8. Treat Your Dog!
Give your dog a treat! They deserve something nice for being a good dog and working with you on their bath.
9. Brush Your Dog Again
Once your dog is dry, brush them again to get out any tangles and loose fur.
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Remember to be patient with your dog during the bathing process, and work slowly so they are not startled or anxious. Make bathing a happy time for your dog!
