How to Give a Dog a bath

Graco22 · 05-09-2008, 03:02 PM

Wow, I am surprised at how many people bath their dogs at home without a sprayer, just water in the tub like a people bath. Isnt that super time consuming, to fill the tub twice for bath and rinse? I have never had a dog so afraid of the sprayer that I couldn't use it on them. Gosh, no wonder so many of my clients don't want to bath their dogs at home..lol I wouldn't either! Bless you guys for all that hard work!

Durbkat · 05-09-2008, 03:07 PM

I only fill the tub once for wash and rinse as it wouldn't need to be emptied and refiled.

Graco22 · 05-09-2008, 03:20 PM

But then you are rinsing with soapy water? Right? Even if you are using fresh water from the spickot, the dog is standing in soapy water? So you aren't truly able to rinse the dog completely free of shampoo/residue?

Durbkat · 05-09-2008, 03:25 PM

Snoopy is a small dog so he doesn't need that much shampoo so the shampoo residue floats down towards the drain, it doesn't close all the way, and he stays towards the right where the water is clean and I have the water coming out the whole time so he is in fresh water. Plus I have only bathed snoopy at home 5 or less times as the other times were either at the pet store or at the groomers.

Graco22 · 05-09-2008, 03:29 PM

Sounds like it is working for you then. I am just a stickler for making sure of a good rinse. Shampoo residue (even tiny amounts) can cause all kinds of skin issues on many dogs. I know in the professional grooming business bathing that way would never fly. lol We would be inundated with itchy, scratchy, flaky dogs and irate customers. Rinsing well is VERY important. I am glad it is working for you though..refilling the tub..ew..lol

PeppersPop · 05-10-2008, 01:02 AM

Oh my gosh!!! The pictures this thread has generated are just too cute!!!

We use a pitcher in the bath tub as he isn't fond of the shower. He's only 11lbs, but my partner and I always wash him together. I get in the tub and she sits on the outside and we take turns distracting and soaping him.

I think its also helped that he has had time to explore the bathroom/shower/tub at his own pace, both occupied and unoccupied.

Regards,
Sid

[quote=tipsysmama;179244]Trying to figure out how to give your dog a bath? Does your puppy keep jumping out of the bath and getting water everywhere? You will find some great tips below from dogforums.com members...

My darling hates a bath so much he will jump out of a tub. I usually end up with more water on me than he does. I have found that getting in the bath with him (in a swimsuit) helps ease his anxiety. What things have you tried to make bath time more pleasant?

Schnauzerlvr · 05-20-2008, 01:30 PM

I have a 8wk old toy schnauzer that i want to teach to enjoy baths especially when he starts going to the groomer. i see that you started yours at 9 wks, how often di you bathe your puppy?

Durbkat · 05-20-2008, 05:34 PM

A pup should only be bathed when dirty, to help keep the natural oils. High maintence dogs, such as a shih tzu, need baths and trimmings every 3 to 4 weeks.

Schnauzerlvr · 05-21-2008, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Durbkat

A pup should only be bathed when dirty, to help keep the natural oils. High maintence dogs, such as a shih tzu, need baths and trimmings every 3 to 4 weeks.

That sounds good, I have been just giving foot baths and making sure his butt is clean since we are working on potty training, so I just wanted to make sure not to over do it...thank you!

wranglerjeepgirl · 05-21-2008, 09:34 AM

we have an english bulldog and tho he does get a bath every three to 4 weeks, depending on how he smells, he gets in the shower with me every morning, he loves to stand just outside the falling water and tries to drink it.

Schnauzerlvr · 05-21-2008, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wranglerjeepgirl

we have an english bulldog and tho he does get a bath every three to 4 weeks, depending on how he smells, he gets in the shower with me every morning, he loves to stand just outside the falling water and tries to drink it.

that is too cute.. Hank is so little i think he would drown...lol...although I can picture him trying to catch the water..hehe

mrandrei · 06-03-2008, 01:31 AM

Just wanna share these tips:

Pet Bath Tips
http://www.petbath-4less.com/petbath-tips.html

1. The bathing schedule of your dog will depend on the breed and what type of activities that your pet is involved in. It is advisable to bath your dog only when he is really dirty or he smells not so good. Bathing your dog too frequently will strip of its natural, protective oils thus resulting to dry itchy skin. Just use a pet shampoo that will moisturize your dog’s skin if you need to bath him too often.

2. Check the temperature of the water first before starting to wet your dog. You dog will react uncomfortably if he chills because of the cold water. Wait for the running water to become warm enough to soothe your pet. You may use hose with sprayer or a pitcher to gently pour water over his entire body.

3. It’s a fun way to bath your dog outside during warm weather. But if you have a pet that refuses to take a bath and you are tired of chasing him, you might need a pet bath. Booster Bath is ergonomically designed bath tub for your dog that elevates your pet to a level that is comfortable for you. With Booster Bath, your dog is contained safely, taking away all the troubles during bath time.

4. Make sure to close the door if you want to bath your dog in a room so that there will no escape route if your pet prematurely gets out of the bath. If you don’t like the idea of having a big pet bath that takes so much space, a portable Dirty Pet Bath is for you. This bath tub has a collapsible feature for simple storage and ca be put up easily.

5. Wash your dog with your hands that are covered with rubber textured gloves. These gloves work well to gently clean your pet while giving him a massage at the same time. This relaxing massage will be enjoyed by your dog keeping him tame during bath time.

6. Put a rubber mat inside the bath tub to prevent your dog from sliding and getting injure. This will keep your pet inside the tub comfortably and give you the ease of bathing your dog.

muki89 · 06-12-2008, 09:44 PM

I bathe my Malamute once a month. If she's not shedding or not too dirty or it's not too cold, I do it myself. If not I call the groomer. Simply spray her with the hose (takes a good 10mins to get her undercoat fully soaked) scrub her down (20mins) rinse (10mins) dry (20mins) and groom (20mins) Maybe not so simple after all...

The Dal is much easier. I wash him every 2-3 weeks since he gets dirty and smelly very quickly. Only takes me about 20mins to bathe him.

Easiest of all is the cat. Stick in shower, scrub, rinse, dry, done in 15mins.

InverseLogic · 06-14-2008, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muki89

Easiest of all is the cat. Stick in shower, scrub, rinse, dry, done in 15mins.

Ferrets are much the same. Takes about 10 minutes. You should see them dry themselves off, haha.

If only dogs were that easy to bathe.

Juicyfruit · 07-11-2008, 04:55 AM

Theres no way i would give chucky a bath because every time he shakes water just goes all over the place i just put him in the shower where he cant get out so hes got no choice but to sit there and take it, its heaps more easier than keeping him in the bath where he just moves around and making it more difficult for me to bath him. Funny how he doesnt like his bath time but when i take him to my local park the first thing he does when i take him off the leash is jump in the lake!

rosemaryninja · 07-11-2008, 01:33 PM

I'm surprised that no one else bathes their dogs outdoors. Is there a reason you're not supposed to do this? Is it just the weather? I leash my dogs up to a hook on the wall and bathe them with the garden hose. They're pretty good about their baths -- will run and hide at first but will eventually put up with them (sad face, hanging head) -- but this just makes it so much easier. No need to struggle with them trying to jump out of the tub, no need to dry up the whole bathroom afterward, etc.

Kathyy · 07-11-2008, 08:33 PM

I do! Since I am in southern California there is bound to be a day every week of the year warm enough to get the dogs wet. I put the hose to the kitchen sink with an adapter so the water is warm. The dogs stand on the wooden table on the grass to get clean and wait outside for me to get dry clothes to take them for the drying off walk. I take a brush with me and every ten minutes I brush through the fur to help with the drying. The spaniel mix is usually dry in 20 minutes and the lab mix isn't dripping after 40. That dog's fur holds water like a sponge! No hair down the drain, no wet footprints on the carpets, no wet dog smell in the house, no slipping in the tub, back doesn't get tweaked reaching into the tub, no wet towels. I get soaked and go into the house to shower and dress so the dogs have to wait outside for me. They don't like that at all. I would like to try a place where you wash the dog yourself so I could attempt to flatten the spaniel mix's fur with a real dryer but that is really minor.

Not everybody has a yard, bad weather. Unruly dogs run away. I tied the dogs to me with a cloth leash around my waist at first.

Washing two dogs and walking them dry takes about an hour. That includes the brushing before the bath and my shower before we take the drying walk.

musicmom116 · 07-15-2008, 10:23 AM

I understand this is an old thread but, how often should you give a dog a bath? I mean besides the obvious if they get into something horribly smelly. I gave Dalla a bath the day she came home 7/2, and I want to give her another one, but I'm not sure if too many baths are bad for their skin.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rosemaryninja

I'm surprised that no one else bathes their dogs outdoors. Is there a reason you're not supposed to do this? Is it just the weather?

I give my dogs a bath outside also. However living in Upstate NY, I can only do that a few months out of the year. I don't like giving them baths inside because of the wet dog smell throughout the house and all the dog hair in the tub. But I may change that with the new puppy.

Juicyfruit · 07-18-2008, 03:33 AM

Chucky really hates having a bath, just look at his face in these pics lol!

beavboyz · 07-18-2008, 10:00 AM

How to give a cat a bath

How to Give a Cat a Bath

1. Put both lids of the toilet up and add 1/8 of a cup pet shampoo to the water in the bowl.

2. Pick up the Cat and soothe him while you carry him to the bathroom.

3. In one smooth movemement, put the cat in the toilet and close both lids. You may have to stand on the lid.

4. The cat will self agitate and make ample suds. 3 to 5 Minutes should do the trick. Never mind noises that come from the toilet. Cats make that noise when thier having fun.

5. Flush the toilet 3 or 4 times. This provides a "Power-Wash" and "Rinse."

6. Have someone open the front door of your home. Be sure that there are no people between the bathroom and the Front Door.

7. Stand behind the toilet as far as you can, and quickly lift both lids.

8. The cat will rocket out of the toilet, streak through the bathroom, and run outside where he will dry himself off.

9. Both the commode and the cat will be Sparkling clean.

Sincerely,
The Dog

bahahaha