Giving your dog a bath is part of life when having a dog. Yet so many of us are afraid when it comes time to. We hope this article gives you the confidence when it’s bath time.
Protect The Ear
Keeping your dog clean is important. However, if you are not careful, you may end up doing more harm than good. Sometimes, when washing a dog, dirt and bacteria will end up in the dog’s ears and cause an infection. An effective way to help minimize the risk of an ear infection is to close the dog’s ears with large cotton balls. Try to avoid getting too much water in your dog’s ears because water can carry contaminants. Always make sure to take precautions and watch out for signs of an ear infection. Common signs of infection include discharge from the ear or continual shaking of the head.
Frequency
The breed of dog will affect how many times they need to be bathed. Hairy dogs such as cocker spaniels should be bathed every 6 to 8 weeks. Bathing hairy dogs too frequently can cause their skin and coat to be stripped of protective oils. Obviously though, there are circumstances which may necessitate that a dog is bathed right away. If your dog gets feces stuck in its fur or skin, it may be prudent to give your furry friend a good bath, partly to reduce the smell and to minimize the likelihood the dog experiences skin irritation.
Dog Safe Soap
Your dog deserves the best so avoid using irritating soaps. Unfortunately, human soaps contain a mixture of ingredients which is appropriate for humans but not for dogs. Look for soaps specifically designed for dogs. Watch for your dog’s reactions and use that as the basis for future decisions about which brand of dog soap to buy.
Patience
Be patient, when giving dog a bath. Dogs can sense uneasiness, and getting upset will not make bathing your dog any easier. Preparing beforehand will save you a lot of trouble when it does come time to bathe your dog. Bring a towel, leash, shampoo, and conditioner into the bathroom ahead of time. Consider bringing a cup into the bath to help pour water on your dog. Depending on your sensitivity to soap or if your dog is covered in less than sanitary substances, you should think about wearing gloves. With the help of some conditioner, you can make combing your dog’s hair a lot easier.
Make It Fun
You might want to bring a toy to keep your dog entertained. If you can, try to make your dog’s time in the bath enjoyable. Play with your dog and give him or her some praise. By playing with your dog, you may begin to enjoy bathing your dog as well.
