How to Bathe a Dog

Bath time for your dog can be a real hassle, but ensuring your pet is well groomed, and their skin and coat are cared for is an essential part of dog ownership. That’s why we’ve put together this blog walking you through how to bathe your dog, from choosing the right shampoo to finding the perfect bath time routine. 

Contents:

• How Often Should You Bathe A Dog?
• Choosing the Best Dog Shampoo
• Dog Bathing Techniques

How Often Should You Bathe a Dog?

While they’re not as rigorous as cats, dogs know how to groom themselves to keep themselves clean. You’ll often see them giving their paws or tummy a lick or a nibble, a sign of their natural grooming behaviours. That said, bathing your dog is still inevitable, especially if they’re a fan of going for a roll in the grass or swimming in the first body of water they can find. 

There is no definite guide on how often dogs should be bathed. Every dog is different, and the time left between baths varies depending on the individual dog. 

As a very general rule, it’s recommended you give your dog a bath for general skin and coat maintenance every 2-3 months. However, there are instances where your dog may need more frequent bathing, including: 

• Your dog’s breed—Some dog breeds are long-haired and need more attention to their coat, while others are more prone to skin conditions that require more TLC.
• How much time your dog spends outdoors—The more time you spend outside with your dog, the more likely they are to pick up something or roll in something undesirable.
• Your dog’s temperament—Some dogs hate baths more than anything else, and trying to bathe them too often can cause more stress than it’s worth. Some dogs (we’re looking at you, Spaniels) will also see a dirty puddle and just have to go for a splash, so more frequent bathing is a must to protect your pet and home from whatever they might pick up.  

If you’re still not sure how often you should be bathing your dog, then here are some signs you can look out for to decide if your dog needs a bath:

• If your dog smells bad
• If your dog has rolled in something like fox poo
• If your dog has dandruff or a skin condition that requires soothing/ cleaning. 
• If your dog has fleas, mites or other external parasites
• If your dog suffers from allergies

While giving your dog a bath sounds like an easy task, it can still be stressful for your dog, especially if they're not a fan of water, or for you if they are. The best way to ensure your dog's bathrime runs as smoothly as possible is to be prepared and gather all the things you need to bathe your dog before you start. 

Once you’ve decided it’s bathtime for your pooch, it’s time to get down to business. When bathing your dog, you’ll need the following tools: 

• A brush 
• A suitable dog shampoo
• A washcloth
• Towels 
• Plenty of treats

Once you’ve gathered these things, you'll need to decide where to hold the main event. 

Once you’ve got your shampoo and equipment ready, it’s time to find the right spot.

Bathing a dog can be messy, so you want to make sure wherever you pick is easy to clean and not easy for your dog to get out of, particularly if they’re skittish at bathtime. Some of the common picks are: 

• Outside in the garden or the drive—This can help you avoid lifting a large or heavy dog into a bathtub or make it easier for older dogs who aren’t as mobile as they used to be. 
• In the bath—This is a popular choice for many dog owners as they can adjust the temperature of the water to what makes their dog the most comfortable. Bathrooms are also designed to withstand a bit of spilt water. 
• At a professional dog groomer—If your dog requires more intensive grooming, or you don’t have the time to give them the baths they need, you can always book them in for professional grooming at your local dog groomer. Some services are even mobile and come to you! 

Choosing the Best Dog Shampoo

Not all dog shampoos are made equal, but finding the right one for your dog is the best way to ensure they get the proper cleaning they need. 

Man dog shampoos on the market are suitable for all healthy dogs, regardless of age, size or fur type. However, some instances require a more specific or even medicated dog shampoo, such as: 

• If your dog has fleas, we recommend using a specific medicated dog shampoo intended for fleas, such as the Animology Flea & Tick Shampoo for Dogs.
• If your dog has a skin condition or allergy, we recommend using a soothing oatmeal shampoo or a medicated shampoo like DOUXO® S3 CALM Dog & Cat Shampoo.
• If your dog has rolled in something particularly odorous, like fox poo, we recommend using a shampoo formulated to tackle particularly bad smells, like this Animology Fox Poo Shampoo. 

You should never use human shampoo on a dog.

Human shampoos are not designed with your dog’s sensitive skin or coat in mind, and using one on your dog could strip their skin and coat of their natural oils, causing irritation or even an allergic reaction. Make sure to only use a dog-safe shampoo when bathing your dog.

How to Give Your Dog a Bath

It’s important to establish a good bath-time routine for your dog to help them know that a bath isn’t anything to be afraid of. Many breeders will bathe puppies when they’re still young to get them used to the experience, and this is something you should ask before bringing your new puppy home. 

The younger you start your dog in a bathing routine, the easier it’ll be for them (and you) when it comes to bathtime. 

Before a bath, giving your dog a good brush is essential to remove any debris, tangles, dead hair, or undercoat from their coat. 

Most dog brushes are suitable for all coat types, but if your dog has particularly long fur or is prone to matting or shedding, finding the right brush or comb is a must to make bathing easier. 

Put your dog in the bath or tub you’ve decided to use for their bath time and thoroughly wet their coat all over from the neck down (avoiding the face) right down to the skin.

If you’re using a shower head or hose, make sure not to let the water get too high or overflow as this can make it a nightmare for cleaning up. 

Make sure the water you use isn’t too hot or too cold, else your dog might try and make a dash for the door to escape the sensation before the bath has even started. 

Using the recommended amount stated on the product label, apply your chosen dog shampoo to your hands and begin working it into your dog’s coat, starting from their chest and working your way out across their body. 

For dogs with a thick coat or an undercoat, make sure you work the shampoo right down to the skin. This is also important if your dog has a skin condition that you’re aiming to soothe with the bath. 

Make sure to massage the shampoo all over your dog’s body, including their stomach and tail.

Using a shower head, hose, or jug, rinse the shampoo from your dog’s fur entirely. If you’re using a jug, you may need to change the water part-way through to ensure all the product is removed from your dog’s coat.

As well as shampoo, there is a range of dog conditioners available to really give their coat some extra nourishment. 

Work this into your dog’s coat the same way you did with the shampoo and rinse thoroughly. Depending on the conditioner you’ve chosen, you may need to let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing, so use this time to offer your dog a treat for their good behaviour.

Your dog’s natural response to being wet is to shake, so be prepared for that eventuality by having plenty of clean, dry towels to hand. 

Rub your dog all over with the towel to absorb most of the water, after which, you can let your dog air-dry naturally out of the bath. Just make sure to put an extra towel on their bed or favourite sleeping stop to keep from anything getting too damp. 

Using an ordinary hair dryer on a dog is not recommended as they can get rather hot and dogs often don’t like having air blown at them.

If your dog’s coat holds water particularly well and a towel just isn’t cutting it, make sure you follow all safety precautions and ensure the temperature isn’t getting too hot.

Also, try not to blow dry your dog's face and hold the hairdryer a good distance from your dog until their coat is dry enough that you can let them dry naturally. 

Once your dog has dried off a bit, take a moment to gently clean their face with a clean, damp washcloth or by using specific pet-face wipes like these CLX Wipes® Wet Cleaning Wipes for Dogs and Cats. 

Your dog’s face is particularly sensitive, so be gentle when wiping around their eyes or ears. Getting water in your dog’s ears can also lead to an ear infection, so take extra care around them and don’t let water get inside. 

For dogs more prone to debris or excess wax in their ears, we recommend using a dog ear cleaner specifically formulated for caring for and cleaning their ears, such as the Dechra CleanAural® Dog Ear Cleaner.

Once it’s all over and your dog is lovely and clean, reward them for their good behaviour with either their favourite dog treats, a new toy, or lots of love and fuss. This can help them understand that bathtime is nothing to be afraid of. 

Batheing your dog doesn’t need to be a chore, and we hope this guide helps you make the most of bathtime with your pooch!

If bathtime is on the horizon for you and your dog, why not take a look at our extensive range of dog grooming products from some of the market’s leading brands, or get in touch with us for more advice?