How to Make Dog Baths More Efficient
Nothing beats playtime with your pooch, but dealing with muddy paws and stinky fur afterward is not always pleasant. With a few tips and tricks, bathing your dog can be easy and efficient. Keep reading to learn more about our dog bath tips so you and your pup can spend less time in the bath and more time at play!
Tips on How to Bathe a Dog
Much like humans, each dog has his own preference when it comes to bathing. Some pups love getting a bath, which makes the job easier for pet parents—while others shy away from soap and water, making it tricky to keep your fur friend clean. Regardless of which category your dog falls into, below are some tips for how to make dog baths more effective and efficient for you, and enjoyable and fun for your pup.
Start with training. Russell Hartstein, certified dog/cat behaviorist and trainer and CEO (Canine Executive Officer) of Fun Paw Care in Los Angeles, explains that giving your dog a bath “is no different than any other training scenario: your pooch will learn to love new and potentially scary places and things through positive reinforcement and associative learning.”
Before you decide to wash your dog, Hartstein recommends that your pup become comfortable with the bathroom environment and with the specific towels, faucets or shampoos you will be using on him. In order to acquaint your pooch with bath time objects, Hartstein encourages pet parents to perform “targeting” by having the dog touch the item with his nose and then rewarding with a treat immediately after. This will trigger positive association between bath time and bath objects for your pooch.
Prepare the dog bath ahead of time. A good hack to make dog bath time more efficient is to have everything you need right where you need it before you put your dog in the tub, explains certified master groomer Suesan Watson. Putting all necessary tools, brushes and dog shampoos in your proximity before you wash your dog will not only reduce the time for giving your dog a bath, but it will also reduce the risk of your dog escaping from the the tub while you try to gather your supplies.
Brush before bathing. It can be tricky knowing how to give a dog a bath without getting dog hair everywhere, but a good trick is to brush your pup thoroughly before wetting him. In addition to getting rid of loose hairs and tangles before they clog your drain, brushing allows you to check your dog’s skin and coat for possible rashes or bumps. If you notice your dog shedding during bath time, don’t worry! Just attach the Rinse Ace Pet Hair Snare Drain Catcher onto any drain and catch all of your pup’s hair before it enters and clogs your drain.
Massage and clean. Every pup loves a good massage, so why not add a relaxing massage for your pup to your bath time routine? It can help to keep your fur friend relaxed and help to create positive associations with dog baths. With the ConairPRO Dog Deluxe Pet Washer, you can wash and deep clean any breed. Its massaging soft rubber nubs will make the bathing experience much more enjoyable for your pet and will get your pup back to sparkling clean, no matter how dirty he is!
Keep clean on the go. Giving your dog a bath on the go can be difficult without the proper equipment. Luckily, there are ways to give your pup a quick cleanup without the need for a shower or a drain.
The Bissell BarkBath Portable Dog Bath & Grooming System is a great option for pet parents that are looking for a convenient way to clean their pup without the hassle of tubs. Its unique nozzle simultaneously disperses a water and a no-rinse shampoo onto your pet’s skin and fur while suctioning away dirt. With this product, you never need to worry about rinsing; the dirty water accumulates in a separate tank that can be emptied when done.
Additionally, The Ark Naturals Don’t Worry Don’t Rinse Me Waterless Dog & Cat Shampoo provides a simple alternative to the traditional dog bath. Just pump the formula onto your hands and massage into your dog’s coat for a great-smelling pet without the need for water.
Be your own dog groomer. Another useful tool for dog baths is the Rinse Ace 3-Way Shower Sprayer Dog Grooming Tool. This handheld sprayer imitates those used by professional groomers. It connects to your showerhead via a long hose, which gives you more control over the water stream. The tool also has various settings that cater to your pup’s needs—from a light stream for sensitive areas to full force for more heavy-duty cleaning.
The Booster Bath Elevated Dog Bathing and Grooming Center is an elevated bathtub with a spray nozzle so you can wash your dog like a true dog groomer. The elevated tub and three-point safety harness will give you 360-degree access to your pet while keeping them safely secured in place for easy washing. The best part is that it folds away for easy storage. You can say goodbye to bending and stooping to wash your pup and to cleaning dirty bathtubs after a dog bath.
Safety Tips for Bathing Your Dog
Safety is always key, so when you wash your dog, be extra cautious with how you handle his coat and sensitive areas, like around the eyes and nose. Watson advises pet parents not to spray their dog directly in the face, as they tend to panic if the water prevents them from breathing. Additionally, avoid spraying water in your dog’s ears, as any trapped moisture can lead to an ear infection.
A dog’s skin can be just as sensitive as our own, so make sure to thoroughly rinse out any soap from your dog’s coat. Leftover shampoo residue can cause skin irritations and itchiness.
Additionally, be cautious about water and shampoo spillage. You do not want to slip and fall while giving your dog a bath.
Having recently moved from rainy Oregon to the sunshine state, Anastasiya Chevtchenko spends her time catching rays by the beach, playing soccer with the locals, and embracing pet heaven – Chewy. A recent Penn graduate, Anastasiya works in Marketing where she hopes to bring in her expertise in international relations to expand the business. When she’s not facetiming her international friends or reading the news in five languages, Anastasiya spends her time working on PR projects, social media brand posts, and writing for Chewy’s BeChewy blog.
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