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Where do I wash my dog?
Just as you find cold water unappealing your dog does not care for it either. Therefore, when washing your dog try to bath him/her inside where warm water can be used.
How do I keep my entire bathroom from getting soaked?
First, take out any books or magazines that could be damaged by the water. Place a plastic sheet, or trash bags on the ground. (You can cut the trashbags along the side to make them longer.) I often take either a dirty or old sheet and line the bathroom floor. (You can also drape it across the toilet or on the side of the counter.)
What should I have ready before the bath begins?
Everything! Unless you have a shower head that can be moved around easily to wash the dog, I suggest using a small tea pitcher (large dog, or a plastic cup (small dog) to rinse him/her off. Also have the shampoo/conditioner, towel, dog buscuit, and a comb ready.
My dog hates the bathroom, how do I get him in the tub?
Unless you have a huge or heavy dog most dogs can be carried into the bathroom. My suggestion is too have the tub filled halfway with warm water before the dog ever gets into the bathroom. Sometimes the sound of running water can scare the dog.
If you have a big dog you can either a)bribe him with treats, b)use a choke chain or c)bring his/her favourite toy into the bathroom and call and play with the dog luring him into the bathroom.
You may want to get the dog used to the bathroom a couple of days prior to the bath, by giving him special treats in the bathroom, or making him stay in their while you take a bath.
Once you get the dog into the tub praise him/her for being so good, a small bone may be apropriate.
If your dog tries to escape from the tub, get on to the dog, as he can tell the difference between the tone of praise and discipline. The first couple of baths a helper may be necesary to hold the dog still.
Which shampoo/condition do I use?
Most vets will suggest a shampoo to use, or use can buy a brand at the store that helps against fleas. I find that if a dog itches, but has very few or no fleas he may have dry skin, or something that looks like flakes or dandruff. If this is the case I use a human dandruff shampoo like Head and Shoulders on the dog. If the dog has rough or dry fur I use a mild human conditioner.
How do I actually bathe the dog?
Once the dog is in the tub get him wet. Make sure you avoid the ears, as water in the ears is not good for the dog. I take my plastic cup/pitcher and pour the water over the dog. You may need to talk sweetly to the dog to relax him/her.
From there I take the shampoo and squirt it along the back of the dog making a skinny line of shampoo. Wetting my hands I blend the shampoo into the coat, massaging it in. Make sure to get under the legs, on the belly and around the tail. Be careful of the face, as I ussually try to avoid this area all togther. While the shampoo is on the dog I run a comb through the coat to pull out fleas and shedding hair. Rinse the comb in the bath water after each stroke.
Use the cup to pour water over the dog and rinse him off, you may want to repeat the shampoo process for an extremely dirty dog.
If you are using a conditioner squeeze an apropriate amount out onto the ruff/dry patches of fur. For many dogs this is on the back, or near the tail. Rub it in and let it sit for a minute. As it sits, continue to comb the dog.
After you rinse the dog, let out the drain. Small dogs may become afraid of the noise so you should take them into a towel and dry them off.
How do I dry my dog off?
If you have a large dog let him stand there till the water is drained. You may want to close the plastic shower curtain, as the dog is likely to begin shaking immediately. Take the dogs paws and gently squeeze out the excess water over the tub, you may need to do this for the tail as well. As quickly as you can, place the towel over the dog and let him step out of the tub. Give the dog a biscuit to treat him as well as to occupy him while you dry him. Now quickly rub the towel over the dog to dry him before he gets a chance to shake water onto you. After you have towel dryed the dog the best that you can you may want to comb him. If your dog is a good dog you may want to leave the dog alone in the bathroom to dry on his own, otherwise let him run damp through the house while he dries.
What now?
Throw all towels into the washer, and rinse out the tub.
If the dog has fleas you may want to wash the tub as soon as you can so not to let any jump out. My suggestion is to save all of the plastic bags and put them under the sink for the next time Spot gets dirty.
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