The Best Way To Wash A Dog

Image by Catriona Ward, FlickrIs your dirty dog stinking up your house? It might be time for a bath. Keep reading to learn how to bathe your dog.

How To Bathe Your Dog

Follow these steps to make your dog nice and clean.

1. Pick The Right Shampoo 

For best results, pick a shampoo that works best for your dog. The shampoo you choose should be gentle on the eyes, like baby shampoo. If your dog has flees or another skin problem, choose a shampoo that will help treat that.

2. Prepare The Bath

Before you bathe your dog, make sure you have all the supplies ready. These supplies might include shampoo, a sponge or rag, and a towel. Once you've gathered all the supplies, place them somewhere where they won't get disturbed by the dog. Next, it's time to fill up the tub. Be sure that the dog is isolated in the bathroom before you start running the water. Fill up the tub with about 3-5 inches of warm water.

3. Brush Him

For the best results, brush your dog prior to bathing him. This is the perfect time to check for any potential skin or coat problems, such as fleas, ticks, or rashes. If you find anything, call your local vet. 

4. Shampoo The Body

Place your dog in the tub and use a bucket of warm water to wet his fur. If he shies away from getting his head wet, cup water into your hand and drizzle it over his head. Once he's wet, apply the shampoo from front to back, avoiding the head for now. Start by scrubbing his back, and then his tail, his back legs, belly, chest, and finally the neck. Massage the shampoo in a circular motion to get him cleaner. 

5. Wash The Head And Face 

Image by Perry French, FlickrThis part is important to help your dog stay clean, however you should only use shampoo that won't sting the eyes (it will say so on the bottle). Use a warm damp rag or sponge and gently rub the shampoo around the face and under the chin. When doing this, be extremely careful not to get any shampoo in the eyes, nose, ears, or mouth. 

6. Drain The Tub And Rinse

Drain the tub and refill it with clean, warm water. Use a bucket to gently rinse the shampoo from your dog's fur until the water runs clean through, and then rinse one more time. To rinse the face, cup water into your hands and gently drizzle over the soapy areas. You can also use a wet rag to gently rinse the soap away. 

7. Dry Him Off

Lay a towel over your dog's back and gently rub him dry. Once the towel has soaked up most of the water, you can use a hair dryer on a cool setting and a dog brush to finish the job. Start by drying the thickest areas of fur, and then work out to the areas that aren't as thick. 

Now your dog will feel great, and your house will smell a little better. Bathe as often as you feel necessary, and enjoy your clean pup!