We do a lot of baths and spa treatments at Dogtopia.  So, we’ve learned a few things over time on giving a dog a great bath.  Trust us – it’s not always easy!  Some dogs love being in the water and will stand there calmly for the entire bath.  For other dogs…well, it is not their thing.

There are 5 key tips to remember when you do bath your dog.  Use these whether you are at home or at a dog bathing facility.

  1. Get the correct shampoo – Before you even think about starting, you need to make sure you have the correct type of shampoo. There are many types out on the market today.  We recommend you speak to your veterinarian for advice on the ideal shampoo for your pup based on coat and skin conditions.
  2. Prepare your tube and surroundings – Before you put your pup in the tub, make sure you have everything you need. Towels, shampoo, brushes, tooth brush (if you are brushing their teeth), and other supplies.  You don’t want to be hunting for these while your dog is in the tub.  And NEVER leave your dog in the tub unattended for safety purposes.
  3. Brush out – Before you load your dog into the bath tub, we highly recommend a brush out to get rid of the loose hairs.
  4. Block the Drain – Of course, a brush out will never get all the loose fur. You’ll see a lot of it wash away.  We recommend putting some type of filter in front of your drain to catch the hair before it goes down the drain.  This will help prevent drain clogs down the road.
  5. Traction in and out of the tub – Any time you are working around the tub, the surface around the tub and inside of it will be slippery. Be very careful with the movement of your dog on the wet surfaces.  It can be dangerous for them as they don’t know how to handle the lack of traction.

One bonus tip… never attempt to dry a dog with a hot air dryer and walk away.  It is not safe.  It’s best to towel them off and let them air dry in a comfortable, warm place.

If you are not up for a bath, then drop them off at Dogtopia and we’ll take care of it for you!