Washing Your Four-legged Friend

You finally have a dog you get to play with, go on walks with and cuddle. Then comes bath day, which you dread just as much as your dog does. In the end, you are rewarded with knowing that you are keeping your dog healthy and your house from smelling like the primate exhibit at the zoo.

To get started gather all the supplies needed. Depending on the size of the dog will determine how many towels needed. A small dog would need one to two where a larger dog will need about six to eight lay a towel on the floor next to the tub, so the floor doesn’t get wet. Then whatever is left set on the vanity.

Next put the shampoo in a spot that is easy to reach. Make sure to use a shampoo made for dogs when giving them a bath. Then have something handy to use to pour water on the dog.

Then fill the tub a little way, making sure the temperature of the water isn’t too hot or too cold. After the tub is filled have the dog get in. Once in the tub start wetting the dog's fur making sure you don’t get any in their ears or eyes. To do this use either a plastic cup or a detachable showerhead.

When giving the dog a bath, wash from the neck down never put water directly on the dog’s head. Once the dog’s fur is wet put a line of shampoo down the middle of the dog’s back and lather it in. Once done lathering the shampoo in start rinsing it out.

After rinsing the shampoo out grab a washcloth and wet it. Then wash the dog's face and make sure to wash around the dog’s eyes near the tear ducts because they can get gunky. Then wash around the ears making sure not to get water in them.

Once done bathing the dog take them out of the tub and start drying them off with one of the extra towels you have handy. If the dog has longer fur start brushing them while the hair is still a little damp it will help to get the knots out. Then brush them again when the dog’s fur is all dry. Now that you have a clean dog you can relax and go back to having fun with your four-legged friend.

Here is a video of the entire process so you can see what it looks like.