learn how to make your pet enjoy his bath
If even the thought of giving a bath to your dog leaves you jittery, then a few tips can help you deal with the situation.
Collect the materials you will need so you will have everything close at hand. If your dog needs his teeth brushed, try brushing them in the bath, so have the dog’s toothbrush ready and make sure it is clean. If you want to clean your dog’s ears, cotton balls would also be a good idea.
Decide where to bath your dog. You can give them bath anywhere from a basin to a bathtub. Whatever you use, be sure to place either a rubber mat or a small towel on the bottom of the sink or bathtub. This will keep your dog from slipping on the wet surface, and will help him to feel more comfortable and secure.
Allow your dog time to adjust to the idea of having a bath. If you have a puppy, the whole process may be somewhat frightening, so take things slowly. Help your dog to associate the tub or sink with pleasant things by speaking in a soothing voice and giving him treats.
Groom your dog’s coat before bathing. This will remove any loose dirt, mats and snarls. Tangles in your dog’s coat will be much harder to remove once his coat is wet. If you find yourself chopping away at matted fur, have it cut by a professional groomer the first time, then groom your pet more regularly to avoid matting in the future.
If you intend washing your small dog’s face, consider putting eye ointment on the eyes prior to bathing. This will prevent the sting of soap occurring and is especially important for breeds with protruding eyes. Avoid getting water or shampoo in your dog’s ears. A small piece of cotton ball can be gently tucked into each ear to stop water or shampoo going into the inner ear but be careful not to push this in too far.
Fill the bathtub or sink with enough water to reach your small dog’s chest level. Keep your hand in the water to make sure the water temperature remains correct.
If you’re using the kitchen sink, the spray hose attachment makes it easy to wet your dog down. Sprayers emit a sound that affects some dogs, so you may wish to have a small plastic pitcher handy to pour water over your dog.
Use a shampoo designed specifically for pets, rather than your own personal shampoo. Quality pet shampoos take into consideration that a dog’s skin has a different pH level than human skin. There are also tear-free shampoos that will not sting a dog’s eyes. Consult your veterinarian if your dog has skin irritations or other conditions.
Make sure the shampoo doesn't enter their ear or eyes. Rub shampoo down his spine, under his belly, under and down his legs, across his head, over his tail and be thorough. Rub gently to lather up the shampoo and massage the shampoo in and ensure that the suds reach down to the skin. Your dog should be enjoying your caring touch! A dog conditioner is a good idea for dogs with long fur.
Rinse all of the shampoo out of your dog’s coat thoroughly. If you can still see bubbles on the dog, you need to rinse a couple more times. Soap residue can also irritate your dog and cause itching.
Dry your washed dog in a draft-free area. Stand your dog on a towel and wrap him in a bath towel to absorb most of the water. Change towels as needed to continue drying your dog’s coat. let his coat air dry once you have blotted up as much water as you reasonably can.
Blow-dry your dog’s coat to get your dog dry more quickly. Only use a dog hair dryer as this has the settings needed to avoid burning your dog’s skin.
Talk to your dog and give him a tasty treat as a reward for good behaviour. He’ll quickly learn that getting a bath is not a frightening experience.