Easy Tips To Make Bathing A Dog Easy!
Written by Cliff Stone   
Wednesday, 08 July 2009
Most people have one of two opinions about dog bathing. Some believe that dogs only need to be washed every year or so. Others believe that they should bathe their pets once a month.
by CliffStone


Most people have one of two opinions about dog bathing. Some believe that dogs only need to be washed every year or so. Others believe that they should bathe their pets once a month.

Bathing is good for dogs, but it can cause problems if you do it too often.

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.

To make sure that this doesn't occur, all you need to do is use cotton balls to stop your dog's ears. Never force these into the ear canal - just place them securely at the entrance of the ear, keeping water out. Once the bath is over, dry the ears to keep moisture out - a finger wrapped in a cloth works well. If you decide to use a cotton swab, make sure you don't put it too deeply into the ear canal, since it could damage the ear drum.

2. Remember to use a shampoo that's been made for dogs, since they're formulated to protect the fur and skin of your pet. Soaps made for humans are often harsh or irritating, plus dogs may be allergic to the scents used in them.

3. How frequently you'll need to bathe your dog will depend on breed. Dogs that have longer hair need to be washed more often than dogs with short hair. Spaniels and other hairy dogs may need to be washed as often as every two months. Some other breeds can go as long as eight months. Outdoor dogs get dirty more quickly and will need more frequent bathing.

Starting your dog off right with routine bathing is important. Be compassionate and patient, since scaring your dog makes it a lot harder to bathe him. Make bathtime fun if you can, since lots of dogs enjoy swimming or being sprinkled with water.

If you can, set up your bath outside. Encourage your pet to run through or sit in it. Use toys to distract your dog from the water. Once he's calmed down a little, start the bath. Some people put their pets on leashes to keep them from running away.

Collect everything you'll need for the bath well in advance, including soap, towels, and a bowl for pouring water. Hoses usually are full of water that's too cold - use water from the bath instead.

If you teach your dog that bathing is to be enjoyed, you and your pet will enjoy the next session.

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