Every Wednesday I post Barking Wednesday. Post dedicated to making a dogs life better. Kingers is our Black Lab. I have always been a dog owner. Over the years I have learned some good ways to make sure that Kingers is as healthy and happy as possible. I also scan the internet and speak to my vet about all kinds of topics. This is my page to share dog information with the world!
How to Give your Dog a Good Bath
One of the tricks I learned is to make sure you give your dog a lot of exercise before bath time. This makes it much easier to bathe him. Kingers likes that a rub his muscles when he gets a bath after a hard workout. I make sure to always take him out to go to the bathroom before the bath - that way if it is cold outside - I have time to dry his hair before he has to go out again
Have all your products within easy reach - don't forget the towel. A dog shaking is a mess inside the house. I always have a mat in my tub -if you do not - you can lay down a towel or a rug. Anything that will make the bottom of the tub less slippery.
I get King - then have him jump in the tub. There have been a few times that I have had to pick him up and place him in the tub. Make sure if your dog does not want a bath that you stay calm yet firm. Bath time is Bath time. No actions of the dog should change it.
I use a glass to get King wet - then I start at the top of his back and lather him up. I place the shampoo in my hand and rub firmly but gently in a circle motion. I think of it like a message action. I know this feels good for Kingers because he will stand still and let me continue to rub his fur. I take my hand and rub legs one by one - he really likes that.
When I have finished lathering him up - I start the rinse process. I pour as much water as needed to get all of the soap out of his fur. Reminder....a little shampoo goes a long way. Do not add too much shampoo to their fur - it is too hard to get a clean rinse.
If the weather is nice I always give Kingers a bath outside - my hubby hooked up our outside faucet to have both hot and cold water - this allows me to open the cold & hot water valves in the basement. Making it very easy for me to give Kingers a lukewarm bath outside.
Right away after the last container of water I cover him with a towel. He often starts to shake right away. If this happens I hold the towel on him to keep the water spray onto the towel. I do a patting motion to dry his fur - not a rubbing motion. Sometimes I use a blow dryer to dry his hair -depending on the temperature outside. If it is warm and sunny I let king lay on the deck to dry off - this is his favorite.
The one thing to always do during the bath is to stay calm! Speak in a firm but calm voice. By you staying calm this will help your dog stay calmer.
Check the tab at the top of the blog ~ Healthy Dog Information for great natural dog shampoo recipes. Dog Shampoo at 1/10th the cost and good for his skin.
We have a 180lb St Bernard and while he doesn't mind bath time (and he LOVES being brushed), my biggest issue is he likes to rub himself dry on the furniture! It drives me crazy catching him rubbing all over things! If it's warm enough out, I think he'll be relegated to the deck to dry off in the future! Really good suggestion!
ReplyDeleteI had an awesome dog over a decade ago and I used to love doing doggy bath time! You are so right that if you stay calm it is easier because it keeps the dog calm as well!
ReplyDeleteI haven't had a dog in many years, but he loved taking baths - which made my life easier!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips I have a hard time giving my dog a bath. I am going to try taking him for a walk before attempting a bath. He was a puppy just a few months ago and grew into a powerful grown up so fast. He's hard to walk and bath time is a mission. Owning a pitbull is fun : )
ReplyDeleteOh man! Giving our dog a bath is a nightmare. He doesn't like it and he's so quick and such a good jumper that it's easier to have the groomer do it.
ReplyDeleteWe're lucky that our dog loves her baths, but we had one for awhile that absolutely hated. Wish I had seen these tips back then!
ReplyDeleteGreat advice, I am so lucky my dog likes her bathtime.
ReplyDeleteI am so lucky my Beasley loves her baths!
ReplyDeleteWe are so excited to get a puppy soon, but my husband will be in charge of bath time.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of exercising before bath! In so many ways, doggies are just like our kiddos!
ReplyDeleteOur dog is in need of a bath right now, so this is great timing for the post!
ReplyDeleteMy dog Daisy Baby loves baths! Half of the time when one of us walks in the bathroom, she goes and jumps in it. She is a short thing, too, so this is quite the accomplishment, lol.
ReplyDeleteThe only way I was ever able to bathe my Newfoundland was to take a shower with her! And drying her was a whole day affair!
ReplyDeleteMy teenie bopper always gives our dog the bath. I am going to have to take over this duty when she starts college in a few months.
ReplyDeleteGood advice. I never thought of making sure I ran my dog before the bath. Always seemed he needed a bath after rolling in the backyard mud. UGH
ReplyDeleteWe do not have a dog but I remember my parents washing our dogs when I was a kid, outside with the hose!
ReplyDeleteI don't have a dog but I remember our family dog as a kid running through the house after a bath
ReplyDeleteI don't ever give our dog a bath. This is such a great way for you to share some lovely quality time with them though. I know mine would prefer we give her one rather than going to a place for it.
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