There comes a time in every dog’s life that some owners may come to dread (and wish they’d got one of those self-cleaning cats, instead), and that’s bath time.
But bath time doesn’t have to be traumatic for all involved, even with the most finicky of dogs. Bath time can even be fun. We already know the best products on the market to make your dog shiny, silky, soft of skin and the envy of all others in the dog park (hint: Royal Treatment, duh!), but having your dog feeling and looking his best after the bath isn’t the same as having a good bath time experience.
Luckily for you, we have 4 top tips to make bath time lots of fun (well, less painful, anyway…). Read on!
1) Prep Dog!
And by that we mean make sure your pooch has been walked, exercised and played with. Basically, you want to work all that pent up energy right out of him.
Bathing a dog that’s all riled up or been lazing about all day means lots more mess, stress and antics – all round. But a dog that’s been plum tuckered out is a relaxed and pliable (not to mention co-operative) dog. This will make bath time lots of fun, just like Ernie once sang to his rubber duckie.
2) Location, Location, Location
Even if you have a small dog, we believe the bathtub is going to be best. It’s the room made for copious splashings of water ‘n’ suds, and it can accommodate the entire range of dogs, from small to large.
Outside on a summer’s day might seem like a smart choice…until Rover rolls about in that fresh new puddle of sudsy mud his bath just made…
3) Boy Scout It – Be Prepared
Make sure you have everything you need before you begin. You don’t want to have to rush off to get towels or shampoo a second after Rover hits the water. You’ll need old clothes and even an apron for yourself (you’re gonna get wet), soft old towels to dry the dog after the bath, and combs and brushes.
The most important tool, however is good quality dog shampoo. Dog shampoo, not people shampoo. If you’re not sure what to get, ask your local dog groomer, boutique or holistic pet store for recommendations. Oh, while you’re at it, you’ll probably want a bath mat to kneel on.
4) To Plunge Or Not To Plunge…
Is indeed the question. We think plunging your dog straight into the bath is very last century. Instead, gently pour some luke-warm water over him from a convenient jug to get him used to the whole bath and getting wet thing. Be gentle of voice and of hands.
And before you start pouring the water over him, brush out the fur to remove any knots. If you’ve ever had long hair, you’ll know how difficult this is once your hair is wet…
So there you have it. Four top things to do before you bathe your dog.
If you follow our suggestions it’s going to be smooth sailing ahead. Well, maybe not smooth sailing, but there definitely won’t be any wild storms at sea.
