bathing

Giving a dog a bath can be as simple as rinsing him down in a child’s swimming pool in the backyard during the summer, or as complex as a full-blown spa ritual, complete with bathing a harness and a bevy of fancy coat products designed to whiten, darken, brighten, do-tangle, shine, and leave your dog with a designer aroma to rival a fancy French perfume.  However, there are many ways to make bathing easier, and many ways in which bathing makes subsequent grooming sessions easier, too. 

Bathing Inventory Tools

Once your dog is completely brushed, combed, and tangle-free, he is ready for a bath.  Now you must get ready, too, and that means preparing all the necessary equipment and supplies so that you can reach what you need when you need it. lf you put that dog in the bathtub under running water and then have to go in search of shampoo or a scrub brush, we all know what will happen: a jump, a shake, and you will be a left with a soaked bathroom and a wet dog bounding around the house.

To wash your dog, you will need some basic supplies: shampoo, conditioner, sponge, scrub brush, bath mat, a hand-held sprayer (or large cup for rinsing), a plastic apron for you to avoid getting wet, a nylon collar and leash (if your dog has a tendency to bolt away), and finally, a heavy towel

Choosing A Shampoo

With so many shampoos on the market, it’s not easy to decide which to use.  Yet, for most breeds, a basic, all-purpose shampoo is fine.  If you want your shampoo to do more than clean, you might also consider a specialty shampoo.

* Accentuate your dog’s coat color by choosing a shampoo made for white, black or red coats.
* Shampoos designed to deliver extra conditioning to long or curly coats can make post-bath grooming even easier.
* For wire-coated dogs, look for a shampoo designed to preserve the crisp texture of your dog’s coat.
* Many dogs have sensitive skin or eyes.  A hypoallergenic shampoo can minimize sensitivity reactions to bathing.
* lf your dog already has a rash, allergies, itching, or other sensitive skin conditions, look for a medicated shampoo designed to treat your dog’s problem (your vet should be able to recommend a good medicated shampoo for your dog).
* Is it flea season?  Then consider a shampoo containing a gentle anti-flea ingredient such as pyrethrin or limonene, or any of several natural botanicals designed to repel fleas, such as neem oil.
* If your dog has sensitive eyes then consider a “tear-less” shampoo.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

There are three methods that can be applied to properly dry the coat, depending on the breed of dog you are working with.  These are: The fluff-dry method, the cage drying method, and the towel-dry method.

The first method and perhaps the most difficult to achieve is the fluff-dry method.  A high-speed floor dryer is used for this procedure.  This method of drying is a very important and crucial step in the proper grooming of certain breeds such as the Poodle, Afghan, Old English Sheepdog, and Maltese. 

In fluff drying, the hair is not only dried but should be straightened as well. The warm air from the dryer is directed at that portion of the coat which you are drying. The hair is brushed in an upward motion with quick, even strokes until the hair in that particular spot is dry and straight.  This procedure is carried out over the entire coat until it is completely dry.  The results of a fluff dry can sometimes determine the overall appearance of the completed grooming job.  Therefore, it is important to learn to give a proper fluff dry.  Special attention should be given to the areas of the head, ears (long-haired ears), and legs.
                         
The second method of drying is known as cage or kennel drying and is usually used on short-coated dogs or on dogs whose coat does not require a fluffed or straight appearance.  When using this method of drying, a cage dryer is attached to the cage and the dog is put into the cage on a towel until he is dry.  It is important to make sure that the cage is properly ventilated on the top as well as on the sides.  Otherwise, the dog may suffocate.  If the dog is too large for the cage, he may be placed on a grooming table and dried with a floor dryer.
          
Another method of drying that is commonly used in drying small breeds is the towel drying method.  Towel drying is usually used with small, short-haired breeds such as the Chihuahua, Miniature Pinscher, and Toy Manchester Terrier. The coat is rubbed briskly with the towel until it is dry.  This method is rarely used because many owners prefer the cage drying method, which is much faster.  However, if the special equipment is not available in the home, this method is sufficient.  However, do not to take the dog out until you are sure that the coat and skin are thoroughly dried.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

The rules on how often you should bathe your dog are different from one dog to the next.  Various breeds as well as various types of coats determine how often the dog should be given a bath.  For example, the Poodle should be bathed every four or six weeks.  On the other hand, the Pointer can go three or four months between baths.  Other breeds which have harsh long coats, such as the Pomeranian, Samoyed, and the Norwegian Elkhound require less frequent bathing because it tends to soften the coat.  However, dogs that are kept in the house most of the time have to be bathed more frequently to keep them clean.

Bathing the dog is important in order to keep the coat and skin clean and healthy.  The coat should always be brushed thoroughly before the bath.  This will help to remove all dead hair and all mats from the coats of long-haired dogs.

The next step is to prepare the materials you are going to use before the bath.  The following is a list of supplies you will need:

1. Shampoo (regular or special shampoos for conditioning, color, coat, etc.)
2. Bristle Brush
3. Sponge
4. Rubber Tub Mat
5. Two Thick Bath-size Towels
6. Chain and Choke (to secure dog)
7. Spray Hose
8. Cream Rinse (long-haired breeds with the exception of the Poodle and Terriers).

Always remember to secure your dog safely in the tub.  A chain and choke is necessary for this, giving the dog about a foot and a half of slack.  This will make sure that the dog cannot jump from the tub and injure himself.  A rubber tub mat is also a good safety precaution.

Using a spray hose, wet the coat thoroughly with warm water.  Next, apply the shampoo to the dog’s coat with a sponge, paying special attention to the ears, rectum area, and pads of the feet.  These three areas are usually neglected by most groomers when bathing the dog.  A small bristle brush may be used to scrub the head, ears, pads of the feet, and other extremely dirty areas of the coat.  When the coat is thoroughly soaped and scrubbed, rinse it with warm water.  When rinsing, place the thumb over the ear opening to keep water out of the ears.  Also keep a hand over the eyes to prevent any soap from getting into them.  Since every dog should have a double bath, repeat the soaping and rinsing process.  On the last rinse be sure to get all of the soap out of the coat.  Gently squeeze the hair on the legs, tail, ears, and all parts of the dog’s body with your hands to remove excess water.  You must first towel dry before using a dryer.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!