Some dog are high maintenance breeds, others would have the barest grooming requirements but all dogs need grooming. Apart from the important function of keeping the pet clean, grooming also prevents parasite infestation that can cause a number of health disorders in the pet. Grooming also enhances the bond between owner and pet.

Bathing is an essential component of grooming although dogs don’t really need to be bathed very often. Outdoor dogs can get away with once or twice a month bathing while indoor dogs that live and sleep with the masters are usually bathed weekly or every 10 days. Dogs don’t have to be bathed very often as their skin has the tendency to get dry when frequently exposed to water. In dogs, too frequent bathing is not advised as it would remove the natural oils that waterproofed the fur and keep the skin moisturized.

Bathing the dog can be a challenge though as a dog owner that does know the ropes can get all drenched while the dog would go away laughing. Dogs love to play in rain puddles and in smelly ponds but take the dog to the tub to be bathed and it would struggle with all its might. It therefore necessary to get the dog used to being bathed while it is still a puppy. Make the bath time as fun as possible so that the dog would not think of the grooming routine as an unpleasant time.

Before wetting the dog make sure that the shampoo, the brush and the towel are ready. Before bathing, give the dog a good brushing to remove tangles in the fur that would be very difficult to remove once the fur gets wet. Bathe small dogs in the sink and large dogs in the tub.

Get ready to bath the pet! To make the task easier, tie would be a good idea to use a shower noozle. Wet the dog thoroughly with warm water. Apply dog shampoo to the fur and work up a good lather but be careful to keep the shampoo away from the dog’s eyes. Clean the limbs and the feet well as they are often the dirtiest part of the dog’s body. Leave the shampoo for about ten minutes especially if an anti-flea shampoo is being used.

Make sure that the shampoo is thoroughly removed from the coat. Make sure that the water would not get into the dog’s eyes and ears. Briskly rub the dog with a towel to dry the fur. To speed up the drying process a blow dryer can be used but be careful not to burn the dog.

At Sarah’s Dogs you can learn more about dog grooming as well as dog bathing.

Tags: dog, dog bathing, dog grooming, pet