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Bathing
Let the dog “drip dry” for a few minutes as you squeeze the
excess water out of the coat. Put him on the ground or on a
table, cover with a dry towel and squeeze the coat until most of
the water has been absorbed. Begin to brush dry. A hair dryer
may be held about 12 inches away from the coat to aid in the
drying process. Move the dryer and the brush over the entire
surface of the dog so the coat dries evenly. Never let a wet dog
outside in cold weather or expose him to drafts. Keep him away
from areas where he can get dirty before he dries completely.
Dry Baths Sometimes it is best to avoid using soap and water - especially during extremely cold weather, when the puppy is very young or when a dog is convalescing. Preparations for giving your dog a dry bath are available in most pet shops. These products may be rubbed into the coat and brushed out. Be sure to follow the directions on the label.
Now pet your dog and give him a treat, put your feet and
relax too. Congratulations. You've survived this bath time,
maybe a little wetter, but definitely cleaner.
It's
Bath time!
Now you have that
coat all
cleared of foreign objects,
it's time to give Buddy a good shampooing.
It seems to be inevitable. Have dog ... have smelly stuff mashed
into his coat. And no amount of brushing is going to get rid of
the stench. I don't know why it is, but all dogs, no matter how
prissy they act, cannot resist a roll in something that smells
like it died three years ago.
How big your dog is will make a big difference in where you choose to give him his bath. Small dogs can be easily accommodated in sinks or indoor bathtubs, but bigger dogs present a bit of a dilemma. Damage control is easy when you've only got a small pet. If you are a big dog fan, be prepared to be soaked yourself, no matter where you choose to get the dirty ... er ... clean deed done. If they must put up with this indignity, your dog is sure to share the water.
Dogs should be bathed when they look dirty and/or have a strong
doggy odor. Puppies or small dogs can be bathed in sinks and
tubs while large breeds may require bathtubs. (After bathing
your dog, be sure to scrub and disinfect the area prior to human
use.) If the weather is warm, a child’s wading pool and garden
hose may be used.
The Indoor Bath
A detachable shower nozzle with a lengthy hose is
indispensable when bathing your dog indoors. Have
your dog’s shampoo or soap, brush and comb and towels
nearby before you begin. Use a shampoo that is pH
balanced for dogs. If your dog has a special skin
problem, ask your veterinarian to recommend a shampoo.
Two shampoos ( the first shampoo to loosen dirt and the
second shampoo to remove it). For the extra-large
variety of dog, a ramp might be a good idea to actually
GET him into the tub.
Okay, now he's loaded up, what next?
Take your shower nozzle, and test the water temperature
to make sure it is just warm, not hot. Rinse him down
good, working your free hand under the fur to get it all
good and wet.
Once he's thoroughly soaked, take a generous helping of
shampoo, and work it in around his neck, over the top of
his head, avoiding his face, and down his back, tail and
legs. Get a good lather up, and massage his skin well.
After he's a standing ball of suds, take the hose again
and rinse him off, starting from the neck again. Rinse
him carefully, take care not to get any in his ears or
eyes. Any remaining soap will irritate his skin, so make
sure he's squeaky clean.
Special coat conditioner is optional, but is a nice
touch. Again, take care not to get his eyes and ears.
Rinse thoroughly one more time, and if you are lucky,
he'll still be in the same spot he was before, allowing
you to wrap him in a towel for a good pat down to absorb
excess water. Be sure to get as much as you can. If he
has a short coat, a few hours of comfortable relaxing on
your formerly dry, warm sofa will finish him off.
If he has a long, or thick double coat, a blow-dry is in
order, brushing out tangles as you go. Human blow-dryers
are too hot, he'll need his own, which you can pick up
at a pet supply store.
The Outdoor Bath
An outdoor bath is the same as above, but you must pick
a warm day to do it. Garden hoses do not have
temperature control, and most times the water coming
from a garden hose can get very cold, very quickly.
Final Touches
Eyes
Take a warm, wet face cloth and carefully wipe around
his eyes, removing any goop that may have seeped into
the corners. For some dogs, this is a constant task.
Ears
These should be cleaned once a month, regardless
of bath time. Take a cotton ball, or a soft cloth, dip
it in an ear solution, or mineral oil, and gently wipe
around the inside of his ears. Don't go too deep, just
the visible areas need cleaning.
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