Most of us think about bathing dogs in one of two ways. Either we believe that dogs nearly never need bathing, or we fall in with the people who feel a dog should be bathed once a month or even more often. The truth is somewhere between the two.
Bathing is really good for dogs, but it may cause problems if you do it too much.
This is because dogs have natural skin and fur oils, the same way that people do. If you bathe your dogs too frequently, their skin will become dry and itchy. This creates a risk of scratching and breaking skin. Remember that the natural oils really are beneficial, and that they protect your dog from many things.
If you want to make bathing fun for you and your dog, there are a few things to pay attention to.
1. Ear protection is important for your dog in the bath. If the ear canal gets soap and water in it, an infection could occur. This could be temporary, but serious damage could also occur. Infections can cause harm to the ear drum, leading to possible deafness. Some signs that your dog could be suffering from an ear infection, he may shake his head often or develop a discharge from his ears.
If you want to make sure this doesn't happen, plug your dog's ears with cotton. Do this gently - never force the cotton into the ear. Just place it securely at the entrance of the ear to keep water out. Dry the ears gently when the bath is over, too. This can be done using a cloth on your finger. You can also use a cotton swab, but don't do this too deeply. You could cause damage to the ear drum.
2. Use a shampoo intended for dogs. These are made to protect your pet's fur and skin. Soaps meant for people can be irritating and harsh. There's also a chance your dog will be allergic to the perfumes in human products.
3. How often you bathe your dog should depend in part on what breed he is. Longer haired dogs need more washing than shorter haired breeds. If you have a hairy dog, like a spaniel, baths should be scheduled once every two months or so. Different breeds may go as long as six to eight months. If your dog spends lots of time outside, he'll get dirty more quickly, so pay attention to this.
Start your dog off correctly when it comes to bathing and bathtime. Patience and compassion can be very important since a dog that's frightened will be harder to bathe. Make the process fun - the majority of dogs enjoy getting wet, after all.
Set the bath up outside when you can, and encourage your pet to run through it. Distract your pet from the water with a toy or two, and once your pet calms down, you can start the bath. Some people use a leash to keep their dog from running off.
When you bathe your pet, get the shampoo, towel, soap and other tools together early, and avoid using the hose. Water from the garden hose is usually too cold. Use a bowl with water from the bath instead - it'll be warmer.
If you teach your dog that bathing is fun and enjoyable, he'll be excited about the prospect.
It's also important to look into the right dog training tools to make sure your dog behaves the way you want him or her to. Click Here for a proven dog training program that you can start using today to improve your relationship with your pet!
categories: bathing a dog,how to bathe a dog,dog training,how to train your dog,dog training tools,dog agility training,best dog training,dog training program,dogs,pets
