How to Shower Your Dog
Dogs are considered man's best friend, and just like man, they need to be cleaned on a regular basis. Dogs should have their coats washed every three months and a quick shower is sometimes the simplest method to wash away the dirt and grime. In winter, showering is also better than spraying down your dog outside in the cold weather with a hose.
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Things You'll Need
- Dog brush
- Dog nail clippers
- Bath mat
- Dog treats
- Cotton balls
- Dog shampoo
- Towels
Instructions
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Remove loose hair and mats by thoroughly brushing the dog's hair before showering.
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Place a nonskid bath mat in the bottom of the shower.
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Lead the dog into the bathroom and close the door. Once in the confined space, turn on the shower to a warm temperature and allow the dog to become used to the sound.
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Keep the dog comfortable and calm by gently stroking, praising and feeding treats to the dog. Avoid exciting the dog with loud noises or playful behavior.
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Place cotton balls in the dog's ear to prevent water and shampoo from entering the ear canal.
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Lead the dog into the shower once it appears calm. Lift small dogs and place them in the shower. If the dog resists being moved or entering the shower at your command, give it more time to become used to the environment.
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Allow the dog to interact with the spray of water before beginning to wash it.
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Wet the dog's fur with the stream of water, soaking its entire coat. A detachable shower head is the easiest to use, as the dog will move around the shower.
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Turn the shower head away from the dog before shampooing.
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Apply dog shampoo to the dog's fur in firm, circular massaging motions from the shoulders to the tail. Massage the shampoo down each leg, cleaning the paws and between the toes. Shampoo the undercoat and face.
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Rinse out the shampoo with the spray from the shower, using the same massaging motions to completely remove the shampoo. Rinse out all traces of the shampoo to avoid irritating the dog's skin.
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Towel-dry the dog immediately, while still in the shower, to avoid the animal shaking out the water all over the bathroom.
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Place a towel on the floor and lead or lift the dog out of the shower and onto the towel.
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Finish up by brushing out the dog's fur.
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Tips & Warnings
Trim the dog's nails before washing it in the shower. Blunt, trimmed nails provide better footing in the shower.
Use a bowl to soak the dog if it refuses to stand under the spray of water and if a detachable shower head is not available.
Conditioner can be applied after shampooing, which is recommend for long-haired dogs.
Dry a long-haired dog's fur with a blow dryer set on low if the animal tolerates it.
Do not apply shampoo near the eyes as this can cause irritation.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Chris Amaral/Photodisc/Getty Images
