There are many different ways to bathe a dog. Some pet
parents choose to wash their dogs in the bathroom tub or
even the kitchen sink. You can also invest in a dog
bathtub or dog wash sink if you want to wash your canine
outside or somewhere other than the bathroom.
Before starting the bath, make sure you have all your
supplies ready. When filling the dog wash tub, make sure the
water is lukewarm. You don’t like bathing in cold water, and
neither does your pup. When your dog is in the water, make
sure to get their fur wet before shampooing. You can use a
rinse cup for this. You’ll want to use
dog-specific shampoo and conditioner
on your pet. To this point, if you have a puppy, use puppy
shampoo, which will be gentler on their skin.
After washing out the shampoo, use a dog conditioner.
Shampoo strips away the excess oils from your dog’s fur and
skin while the conditioner rehydrates the skin. Leave the
conditioner in for a minute or two before washing out. Be
extra careful around your dog’s face, as shampoo or
conditioner in the eyes won’t create a great experience.
Using a cloth to wash your dog’s face is a good idea.
When it’s time to dry, give your dog a good towel off. For
dogs with longer fur, you may want to use a dog
hair dryer or a human hair dryer set to medium or cool.
Brush your dog’s fur while drying to get out any last
tangles.
While dogs have a water-loving reputation, some dogs may
become anxious in the water or during bath time. If your pup
gets scared, offer lots of praise as well as
their favorite dog training treats to help them associate dog bath time with positive
experiences.