Why Bathe Your Dog?
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. Take care of your dog’s ears. Infections can occur when soap and water are able to enter the ear canal. This may be temporary, but it could also do some real damage. Infections harm the ear drum, leading to possible deafness. Not sure if your dog has an ear infection? He might if you see him shaking his head a lot, or if there’s a discharge from the ear.
If you want to make sure this doesn’t happen, plug your dog’s ears with cotton. Do this gently – never force the cotton into the ear. Just place it securely at the entrance of the ear to keep water out. Dry the ears gently when the bath is over, too. This can be done using a cloth on your finger. You can also use a cotton swab, but don’t do this too deeply. You could cause damage to the ear drum.
2. Use a shampoo intended for dogs. These are made to protect your pet’s fur and skin. Soaps meant for people can be irritating and harsh. There’s also a chance your dog will be allergic to the perfumes in human products.
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.
Start your dog off the right way when it comes to bathing – patience and compassion are extremely important. Scaring your dog will make the entire process more difficult. Dogs enjoy being wet, and may enjoy running into lakes and rivers or having water sprinkled on them.
If you can, set the bath up outside and encourage your dog to play in it. Distract your dog from water with toys. When the dog calms down, you can start the bath. A leash may help with this process.
Have everything ready first, including soaps towel, a bowl for pouring water, and brushes. Water coming out of the tap might be a little cold, so let water in the bath warm up a little.
If you teach your dog that bathing is fun and enjoyable, he’ll be excited about the prospect.
It’s also important to look into the right dog training tools to ensure that your pooch behaves like you want him or her to. Click Here for a proven dog training program that is easy to use to improve your relationship with your pet!
