Bathe: After the ride home from the pet shop or shelter, you may feel nothing but excitement as you prepare for the rest of your life with your new furry friend. You may be prepared to buy food, let your dog snuggle in the bed with you, and teach your dog new tricks. But one aspect of pet care most dog owners fail to consider is how to bathe their dog.
Most people think: How hard can it be? The answer is “Harder than you might think.” Even if dogs generally hate water less than cats, it can still be a challenge to bathe them, especially at first. This blog post will shed light on dog bathing tips to make the process easier for new fur parents!
Pro Tips on How to Properly Bathe Your New Pet Dog
1 – Pick the Proper Shampoo and Conditioner
Some dogs have skin or fur so sensitive that it requires a special shampoo, like oatmeal. You can ask at the pet store, or if you’re planning on buying online, a good way to tell is how the product is advertised. Does it say it is good for sensitive skin? It’s likely for a reason, and the same goes for flea shampoos.
2 – Proper Dog Washing Technique
Once you’ve chosen the proper products, you must actually get to work! Most dogs do not enjoy being bathed, no matter what those videos of dogs playing in water might lead you to think. Dogs are not humans, after all. The best wash technique is to keep it short, sweet, and to the point. Start with a nice warm bath for your dog, and shampoo your dog once. Then, rinse your dog’s body with warm water to remove all of the shampoo. Continue this process until you’re satisfied with the results.
3 – Bathing a Dog that Hates Water
Some dogs hate water more than others. The best thing you can do for these dog pet parents is to work up to bathing your dog. The first few times, do not fully bathe them, but instead, just get them used to the sensation of water. Continue the process until they are no longer afraid of water, and then you may begin to bathe them regularly. The more time you take to get your dog used to the water, the better your dog will respond to their baths in the future!
4 – Washing Your Dog’s Face
Dogs have the same kinds of issues when it comes to their skin and eyes, so it is important to be extremely careful when washing your dog’s face. It is best to use a soft cloth, instead of a washcloth, to wash your dog’s face with, and avoid getting water or shampoo in their eyes.
5 – What to Do Post-Bath
After you’ve bathed your dog, it’s important to dry them off as well. There’s a lot of debate among dog owners on this subject, but we recommend you rub your dog with a towel to remove any excess water. Avoid using a blow dryer, as this may damage your dog’s coat. You can simply leave them to dry on their own. Just remember to comb out your dog’s fur with a brush.
Conclusion
It is important when caring for your dog or puppy to keep their coat and skin healthy. They will love you back for it! When it comes to bathing them, make sure you are following the above tips and that you are being kind but firm. The key to bathing a dog is to be quick and efficient, helping them to get used to the bathing process. And once you’ve mastered that, you can move on to some of the more fun activities to enjoy with your pet.
If you do not want to bathe your dog on your own, taking them to Brooklyn Pet Spa will solve your problem! We are skilled pet groomers in Brooklyn that offer grooming, bathing, and boarding for dogs and cats. Bring your pet to the best dog spa in Brooklyn today!
