Before you start washing your dog, here are a few things you will need, towels, dog shampoo, dog conditioner, sponge, and of course, your dog! One tip to keep in mind is, have your sponge laid out so it's close at hand when you may need it, but not near the dog so it won’t be kicked and splashed by the dog. Pull over the hose or turn on the water for the bathtub. When trying finding the right temperature for your dog, just remember that dogs have more sensitive skin. Have the water lukewarm to warm temperature.
Pick a good shampoo, but you should never use a human shampoo to bathe your your dog. The pH of dog skin isn’t the same as human skin. We have a pH of around 5.5 to 5.6, your dog's skin is much more neutral, averaging a pH of between 6.2 and 7.4.1 Shampoos formulated for humans are much more acidic than those for dogs, and using a human shampoo can upset the balance of a dog's skin.
If your dog scratches a lot, decide if the scratching is from parasites, allergies, or simple skin irritation. If your dog is suffering from parasites, pick out a good flea or problem specific shampoo at a pet store or retail store. Otherwise, select a mild shampoo, or make the shampoo yourself, as many dogs are allergic to shampoos that contain chemicals. Some general dog shampoos are formulated with oatmeal to help reduce general irritation. If you have a puppy, check to make sure that he is old enough for the shampoo that you have chosen.
Here are a few choices depending on your dog. Soap-free, pH-neutral shampoos that have oatmeal or aloe vera. These are great for normal or itchy skin, they clean the skin and reduce inflammation. Shampoos with selenium sulfide are designed to remove that doggy dandruff. Shampoos with antiseptics such as chlorhexidine can help to treat bacterial skin infections such as hot spots. Shampoos with antifungal agents such as miconazole or ketoconazole can be useful in treating for fungal skin infections. Lastly, shampoos and rinses that have pyrethrins or permoxin are useful for short-term flea and tick control.
To start, get your dog's coat nice and wet, then put on the shampoo. Start with the head. Make sure to massage shampoo into all over, even under his front legs and neck. For best results, use your thumbs or fingers to massage in a circular motion. Be sure to really scrub areas that are always seeming to get dirty.
Wash the head and face. This is very important if your dog has or has had flea problems. It will wash them on to the body and make it easier to get rid of them. Make sure you not to get any shampoo in your dogs eyes, nose, ears, or mouth. Keep the shampoo on your dog for as long as the bottle calls for. Rinse your dog until the water from his fur runs clear. Then rinse one more time. If your dog won’t let you rinse its face, use your hand to bring water from the faucet to his face repeatedly to rinse. You can also use a wet washcloth to do this.
The best way to reduce irritation is to rinse your dog well after the bath. You might get a snap-on hose attachment designed to help you rinse your dog. These snap-on attachments are available for both a sink or for the shower. Always rinse the dog with clean water. Some of the snap-on attachments have hoses and sprayers so you can hold it upside down under the dog to rinse its belly. If it is during the summer, you may want to just wash your dog outside with the hose.
If you are going to use a conditioner, let the dog have a shake to remove any moisture or give it a quick towel dry, then apply. Conditioners help with untangling and ensuring a smooth coat, just as they do in human hair. Some conditioners need to be rinsed off, others can be left in the coat.
Get a towel and lay it over your dog's back and rub your dog dry. Make sure you dry the inside of his ears also. A dog's instinct is to shake itself when wet, though, so be careful. In the winter, or for small dogs almost all the time, lay a dry towel on the floor and use a hair dryer and dog brush to dry and brush your dog.
Lucky Dog Mobile Pet Grooming
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