The Proper Way to Bath Your Dog

Choose a safe and secure environment to bath your dog. Place a rubber mat on the floor of the bathing area to give your dog a sense of security and prevent him from slipping. If you are bathing your dog outside, make sure there is no risk of him running off and into traffic if he decides he's had enough.

Dogs have special oils in their skin so be sure to use the correct shampoo. Human shampoos are much too strong and can damage your dog's skin and coat. Don't use scented shampoos when you bath your dog. This will only encourage your dog to roll in the nearest dung heap he can find.

Before you start to bath your dog, give him a good brushing. This will get rid of all the dead and loose hair, relax your dog and stop your sink or bath from clogging up.

Use luke warm water or you will burn your dog's skin. If you are bathing him outside, don't just turn the hose on him as this can chill your pet. If you are using a tub, don't fill it too much. This can make your dog nervous and he'll try to jump out at any opportunity and you'll finish up with more water on the floor. You want to make it a pleasurable experience for both you and your dog or next time he needs a bath you won't see him for dust.

Don't spray water or shampoo directly into his eyes, ears nose or mouth. Start to massage the shampoo into his coat behind the ears and move along towards the tail. Rinse all the shampoo out of his coat afterwards or you'll have a very itchy pet.

Use a large towel to dry your dog. Hair dryers are not a good idea as they can easily burn your dog's sensitive skin and coat.

Then give your dog a treat so that the next time you decide to bath your dog, he doesn't remember it as a traumatic experience.