Whether you take your dog to the groomer or not, all dog parents should know how to wash their pup. There are multiple benefits to bathing your dog such as it removes dirt and odor, reduces shedding, helps with allergies (for you and your dog), and softens their coat.
And it’s no secret—most dogs dread bath time! Fortunately, if you get the right supplies and fully prepare, washing your dog will be a breeze for both you and them.
How to Prepare
Before getting started, make sure you have these factors prepared:
Location
You should ideally bathe your dog in a secure location where they’ll stay as still and calm as possible. Smaller dogs typically fit in the kitchen sink or bathtub, while larger dogs can be washed in a fenced yard or bathing station. If you don’t have a fenced yard, make sure your dog is secured with a leash or harness so they don’t run off.
Supplies
You’ll need a few essential supplies before getting started. These are:
- Cotton balls
- A brush
- Dog shampoo
- A pitcher or sprayer
- Towels
- PupGrade Health and Mood Enhancer
- Nail clippers (optional)
- Blow dryer (optional)
- Plenty of treats!
How to Keep Your Pup Calm
It’s no secret that dogs don’t typically enjoy bath time, but there are certain actions you can take to settle their nerves before bathing. The key is to go very slow and use lukewarm water, gently petting them and giving them plenty of treats throughout the process. If they’re still jumpy, an anxiety supplement could help calm their uneasiness. We recommend PupGrade’s Hemp Health and Mood Enhancer as the perfect way to ease dogs’ anxiety naturally and healthfully. The beef-flavored powder mixes in easily with your dog’s food so they can have a full belly and a calm mind before you even turn the water on!
Bathing
Once you have all your supplies handy, it’s time to bathe your dog. Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting you started:
1. Brush your dog
Especially if your dog has longer, silkier fur, you’ll need to brush it out before washing. Water tends to make mats worse, so make sure to remove all tangles before getting started.
2. Secure your dog
You’ll need to make sure your dog is secured beforehand because let’s face it—most dogs would rather run away than endure a bath! Especially if you’re outside, use a leash or grooming loop to keep your dog from running off.
3. Put Cotton Balls in their ears
One of the most common causes of ear infections in dogs is from water getting trapped in the ear. Typically, dogs with floppy ears more easily get infections than those with stiff, perky ears. In order to stop any moisture from getting inside the ear canal, put a cotton ball in your dog’s ear before washing. Larger dogs can fit a whole cotton ball while smaller dogs may need to have the cotton ripped in half.
4. Wet your dog
Start very slowly and use lukewarm water when wetting your dog. Dogs have very sensitive skin and water that’s too hot or too cold could dry it out and cause irritation. Start at your dog’s rear end and work your way up, stopping right before their face. If you have a water pitcher, you can use this to pour water over your pup. You’ll want to avoid washing their face because their eyes and nose are also quite sensitive. Instead, use a dog-safe wipe to get their face as clean as possible.
5. Lather shampoo
Once the dog is wet, begin lathering them at the end of the tail and working upwards. Make sure to pay close attention to their paws and legs which can get dirtier than other areas. Scrub every part of the dog thoroughly before heading into the next step.
6. Rinse shampoo out
After scrubbing, rinse your dog extremely well from the top of their neck to their paws. Once you think you’ve rinsed the shampoo out totally, give them one more rinse. Shampoo tends to hide in their fur and leave a soapy residue that could possibly cause skin problems if not fully rinsed out. Pay attention to the hard-to-reach spots like the armpits and belly.
7. Remove cotton balls
Now that you’re done spraying water, you can take the cotton balls out of their ears and give their inner ear a second look to make sure it’s mostly dry. If your dog needs a nail trim, right after a bath is a great time to do it when the nails are moist and easier to cut.
8. Dry your dog
Now, grab a thick towel and wrap it around them, trying to remove as much moisture as possible. Allow them to air dry after for about 20 minutes to an hour until their fur is dry. If you decide to use a blow dryer to speed up drying, put it on a colder setting so you don’t irritate their skin with high heat.
9. Treat your pup
This should be done throughout the process, but especially make sure to give your furry friend a treat when you’re all done bathing them. Baths can be stressful—make sure you reward them for being such a good pup!
10. Brush again
Once your dog is completely dry, give them one more brush through to make sure their fur is detangled and clean. Now they’re clean, brushed, and satisfied!
Dog bath time usually isn’t fun for either party involved but, if you fully prepare and take extra care of your pup during the process, you should have a relatively smooth experience. As an added bonus, bath time can also strengthen your bond with your dog.
If your dog struggles with anxiety around bath time, PupGrade’s Hemp Health and Mood Enhancer will help calm their nerves and soothe their stress. Created with organic Hemp Seed Powder, it also has the added benefit of promoting shiny coats and great skin.
If you follow these directions and use this supplement, dog bath time will soon become a breeze! Click here to encourage your dog’s health inside and out!
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