How to Shampoo your Pooch

Shampooing your canine friend is something we all have to do, but few of us look forward to it.  Some dogs love water and others hate it, so it's a really good idea to try to get your puppy used to water as soon as you can.  If the weather is warm enough, play a few games in the garden with a hose or watering can and maybe invest in a cheap child's paddling pool, something nice and shallow, so that immersing him in water when bath time comes won't be such a shock!

 

Preparation, Rinse and Drying

 It will help to give your dog a thorough groom before you bathe him and do any necessary clipping beforehand.  You should remove your dog's collar, but replace it with another one (preferably colourfast!) which you can use to control your dog once it's in the water.

 Preparation is the key, so make sure you have everything you need before you start.  Ensure you have enough towels and that you've got the correct shampoo (always use a proper dog shampoo as even a mild baby shampoo will be difficult to rinse off and could irritate their skin).  If possible, put down a rubber bath mat which will help your dog from sliding around too much.

 

Add sufficient warm (not hot) water to your bath so that it comes up to about tummy level and use a jug or a shower spray if you have one to completely saturate your dog's coat.  Apply the recommended amount of shampoo (I always decant the right amount into a plastic cup and then water it down as I find it goes on better) and apply evenly, avoiding the eye area and ears, but be careful around the nose and mouth too.  It's best to start from the neck downwards, and then finish off with the head.

 Rinse thoroughly.  If your dog is particularly dirty, you can do another wash with a smaller amount of diluted shampoo, but don't try to get away with one wash with double the amount of shampoo, as this will make it so hard to rinse off.  Any shampoo residue could easily cause irritation to your dog's skin, so make sure the water is running clear before you stop.

 

Towel dry your dog as much as you can, paying particular attention to their eyes, ears, and their feet.  Make sure the pads are dry and in between their toes, as this could lead to a fungal infection if left damp.

 If your dog is short-haired or if it is a gloriously warm sunny day, you might like to leave them to dry naturally, but if your dog has a longer coat, it is best to use a dryer (on a cooler setting) to finish them off.  Put their collar back on, but only once they are completely dry in that area.

 Now all you have to do is to stand back, admire your pooch and be proud of all your hard work.  Then, watch them discover the dirty puddle you hadn't noticed in the garden.........

 Good luck!