Before bathing, check the coat for mats or snarls and remove them. If they are not taken out, shampoo, dirt, and moisture trapped in the mats can lead to skin irritations or infections. Pack the ears with cotton to soak up any water that gets into them. During the summer a kiddie wading pool works well for bathing, or use a bathtub or laundry tub year round. Make sure to read the directions for the shampoo before beginning. If you have any questions, call the hospital for advice.
First, wet down the entire coat, then lather in the shampoo. When the entire body has been lathered, rinse thoroughly getting out all traces of the soap. Leaving soap on the skin can lead to skin reactions or infections. When drying, make sure that your dog does not get chilled. First, towel dry with an old towel. Then use a blow dryer to completely dry the coat, or confine the dog to a kitchen, bathroom or laundry room until he is completely dry so that the moisture will not cause any damage to furniture or flooring. After the coat is dry thoroughly brush it out.
Regular grooming is essential to keep your dog’s coat healthy and shiny. We recommend daily grooming with a hard bristled brush or comb. If your dog has a long coat, a dog rake or metal comb is needed to comb out mats. Bathing should be done as infrequently as possible but as often as necessary. As a rule of thumb it is best not to bathe a dog more often than once a week.
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