Useful Tips for Bathing Your Dog

Most of us have given a dog a bath. However, a good bath is a different story. Does it seem as if bathing isn't doing much good? If you wish to get better results from bathing your dog, take a look at the following suggestions.

Brush first: Brushing prior to bathing will remove loose hairs that would otherwise end up all over you and everything else once bathing begins. After doing this, take a damp wash cloth and run it over the coat to collect remaining hairs. You won't be able to get all of the loose hair, but this will decrease the amount dramatically.

Sometimes It Takes Two: If you know the dog is incredibly difficult when it comes to bathing, don't even attempt to do it yourself. Get someone else to help you. Have one person restrain while the other does the bathing. If you don't have anyone to help, some vet clinics offer bathing, and pet grooming shops are always and option.

Use Cool Water: This is especially important if you're dog has a skin problem. Hot water is irritating to dog's skin. Make sure the water you use is cool, not cold. The cool water will soothe the skin and prevent itching and irritation.

Praise: Because bathing can be unpleasant for dogs, whether their afraid or just plain don't like it, make sure you offer them plenty of praise. Tell em what a good dog they are; reassure them that it's ok. Most importantly, speak to them in a gentle, reassuring, and approving manner. This usually helps them to calm down and behave better during bath time.

Shampoo: Never ever use human shampoo or dish soap on your dog. These are too harsh on their skin and coat. Using them can cause your dog extreme discomfort. The higher quality shampoos available at some pet stores and most vet clinics are the best too use. You can ask your pet's veterinarian about what shampoo he or she recommends for your dog.

If you're concerned about the price, purchase a less expensive brand of shampoo as well. Use a small amount of the cheaper shampoo first when bathing your dog. Rinse it away and then apply a small amount of the better shampoo. The cheaper shampoo will strip away most of the excess dirt and oil from the fur, making the quality shampoo last a lot longer while using much less. This way you will not have to purchase the shampoo as often, so you'll end up saving money.

The Bathing Process:After wetting the coat well, begin working the soap into a lather at the neck; don't be afraid to wash the face, just make sure the eyes and ears are protected as you do this. Clean under the legs and underneath the tail as well; these areas often get over looked, but they usually harbor a lot of dirt and filth. Make sure the coat is lathered up really well and then rinse. After rinsing massage the fur to work up any excess soap. Keep rinsing until the lather is completely gone. Once you've finished offer praise and a treat.

If you use these tips and advice with every bath, you'll be much more pleased with the outcome. A good thorough bath goes a long way. It may take more time, but the results will be better and last longer.