How to bath your dog

 

If you’re bathing your dog at home, make sure that you have all the right things first of all to get started! Chien & Co recommends the following:

• A brush or a comb
• Towels
• A dog friendly shampoo and conditioner
• Cleaning wipes
• Treats
• Hair dryer (optional)

Follow our steps to have a smooth bath time, every time – that you dog will love!

1.  Choose the right shampoo – what kind of ingredients should you look for in a dog shampoo?

Keep it simple! Look for shampoos with more than 90% natural ingredients such as aloe vera, oatmeal herbal proteins and vitamins. Make sure that the shampoo always has allergen free fragrances and an optimal pH for your pooch’s fur.

 

2. Which types of shampoo products to avoid

Avoid artificial fragrances and dyes, which can irritate your dog’s eyes, ears and skin.

Never use grooming products (shampoos, conditioners, or fragrances) designed for humans. Actually, a human’s skin is less sensitive than a dog’s fur and has a far more acidic pH.

Human shampoos have been designed to wash off the natural oils and wax on their hair. If human shampoos are used on a dog’s coat, it will make it look dull and can cause irritation.

 

3. Start the bath with reassurance

Most dogs don’t like having their bath so it’s important to make them feel safe and not stressed! Talk to them in a reassuring way, before, during and after the bath. You can also give your pup a treat after finishing the bath as a reward!

 

4. Brush your dog for tangles

This is to ensure that there are no tangles or matted fur. Matted hair holds water which can cause irritation to your dog’s skin. You can use a spray detangler to help you remove the knots to start with.

 

5. Test the water

Keep the water at a lukewarm temperature and make sure that it has a safe and pleasant temperature before starting the wash.

 

6. Wet your dog

Soak your dog all over in warm water and comb the fur with your fingers to ensure that it is nice and wet, especially underneath, so that the shampoo is applied evenly.

 

7. Apply the shampoo

Squeeze out a small amount of shampoo (follow manufacturer’s quantity) and rub it gently onto the skin until it creates a nice lather. Leave your dog’s head until the end so that he doesn’t get cold – and avoid pouring shampoo into the eyes or ears.

 

8. Rinse, rinse, rinse!

It’s important to rinse your dog thoroughly with warm water to remove any excess soap that could cause irritation down the line. It is important to be rigorous with the rinsing and not to leave any shampoo residue.

 

9. Drying time

Use a soft towel to dry your dog thoroughly. Wrap him or her in the towel and start rubbing the head gently. Make sure that you dry the ears well – inside and out. After drying sufficiently with the towel, you can use a hair dryer – but always make sure it’s on a cool setting. Hold it far away from the skin and keep it moving around – don’t focus on one spot for too long.

 

10. Reward time

After the bath, reward your freshly groomed dog with a delicious treat. Give him some vocal praise as well to make them aware that their co-operative behaviour is appreciated at bathtime!