HOW TO BATH YOUR DOG IN 5 MINUTES OR LESS

Do you dread giving your dog a bath? Is it a big soapy mess? Do you let your dog go without a bath for weeks because it is too much of a hassle?

Well, you're not alone.

My friend, Margie, has a little black and white Terrier named Chips who just HATES baths. Every time she mentions the word "BATH," he runs away and hides under the sofa. It takes the entire family to catch and bathe him. Margie even tried SPELLING the word. "It's time to give Chips a B-A-T-H," she would say. But Chips soon caught on and began running for cover at the very spelling of the word "BATH." (Who said dogs aren't smart?)

There are other challenges to washing your dog.

Large dogs can be more of a handful just because of their size. Dogs with thick coats are always more difficult to bathe because it's hard to clean through the fur, down to the skin. In some climates, it can be too cold to wash your dog outdoors during winter months - but for some dogs, the job is just too messy to be done indoors. Professional groomers are always a good option ... provided it's in your budget (not always the case -- especially these days).

If bathing your dog has become a challenge or you want to give it a try to save some money, then I have a few tips for you.

Here they are:

1. Never wash your dog outside if the weather is cold. This is particularly true for puppies, who have trouble regulating their body temperatures. Puppies should be at least four weeks old before they receive their first bath.

2. Before bathing, comb and brush out all mats. Otherwise, the water will turn the mats into solid masses, which will require clippers to remove. If your dog's hair is matted with paint, tar or some other sticky material, trim with clippers or soak the area with vegetable or mineral oil for 24 hours. (You may want to speak with a professional groomer if the tangles are really difficult.)

3. Prep your dog. Put a drop of mineral oil in the eyes to protect them from suds. Some people use cotton balls in the ears. If you use cotton balls, make sure they're the right size for your dog's ears; if they're too small, they may slip down the ear canal.




How Often to Bathe a Dog

That all depends on your pet.


Factors include: his hair coat, hair length, how often he gets dirty, where he lives (if he is indoor or outdoors most of the time), shedding cycle, and any underlying skin problem.


Some dogs need baths only a couple times year while others need weekly grooming. It is beneficial to brush your dog about twice a week. Bathing your dog every month or two isn't unreasonable, but some dogs will need more frequent cleanings.


A good rule of thumb is to bathe your pet only when his coat gets dirty or begins to smell "doggy."