How to bathe a dog

Armed with towel and soap, you cheerfully call your faithful companion, who promptly hides under the sofa. Yes, it’s bath time for your dog – but is a traditional water-all-over-the-bathroom bath with YOUR favorite shampoo the best approach? Before you drag your dog out from under the sofa and into the tub, here are some things to consider:

WHAT TYPE OF DOG DO YOU HAVE?

Perhaps more important than whether your dog is a pig or a pillow-princess, is their coat type – coat types roughly fall into four categories:

1) Long-Haired Shedder

Collies, some Shepherds, Golden Retrievers and Huskies are typical of the long-haired shedder. The hair is long, and comes out in GOBS twice a year – spring and autumn, as well as in moderate amounts throughout the year. Many of these dogs suffer from matting as well.

2) Long-Haired “Trimmer”

Poodles are the classic example, as are Schnauzers, West Highland Terriers and Yorkies. These dogs do shed, but so little it’s hardly noticeable – they require regular clipping or “stripping” to maintain the proper coat length. And unless they are brushed regularly, their coats do tend to mat too.

3) Short-Haired Shedder

Most of the short haired breeds shed, and some shed like crazy. My Lab-mixes leave more hair on the carpet than my Shepherd mix.

4) Water-proof Coat

Newfoundlands and Nova Scotia Duck Trollers are real water dogs, and their oily water-proof coats keeps them from being weighted down with wet, heavy fur and keep the cold water away from their skin. Many hunting and retrieving breeds fall into the category of “water-proof”.

But what does all that have to do with “just” giving a bath?:

- If your dog has a long coat, it’s a good idea to get rid of excess fur before the bath. Brushing is good, a blower (see below) is better. Washing and drying a coat that is full of excess fur or mats may “set” the excess fur.

- If your dog is a shedder, they may actually shed worse after a bath, so be prepared for additional brushing.

- Since baths can make shedding worse, if you have a short-haired dog, perhaps a regular wipe down will be sufficient to keep your dog looking and smelling good.

- If you have a dog with a water-proof coat, more brushing and fewer baths will be far better.

WHAT SOAP?

I used to use my own shampoo (an expensive designer brand) on my dogs – until I was told that my hair and scalp aren’t the same as my dogs fur and skin (makes sense when you think about it). Invest in a good