Make Dog Bathing and Grooming As Stress Free As Possible
As much as dogs like water, bath time is a stressful event for most dogs and owners alike. The fight can be so intense that injuries can occur if you are not careful. Unfortunately regular baths are necessary for health and hygiene. There has to be something we can do to make this task less stressful
Start the process with proper preparation. Gather all the materials you’ll need so once you begin there will be no interruptions. Even the best behaved dogs can be a problem if things take too long. A full tub is no place to leave your dog while you go in search of a towel.
Among the necessary items are shampoo, large towels, brush, non slip mat and a container to use to pour water. If the dog is a runner, it might be necessary to have a waterproof collar and leash handy. As for you, make sure you are prepared to get wet. This means old clothes that you are worried about ruining. Even if you are bathing a Chihuahua you will get wet.
If your dog has had a run in with a skunk, bath time will be much more interesting. If this is a possibility where you live, make sure you are prepared with the proper tools. If your dog comes home after such an encounter you don’t want to waste time on a trip to the pet store. Pet stores and vets both carry special solutions for de-skunking pets. Another solution that many people find effective is a solution of tomato juice, dog shampoo, hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. The solution needs to stay on the dog’s fur for several minutes and will likely need to be repeated several times. If you have a light colored dog expect him to have an orange glow to him for a couple of weeks. Trust me; this is preferable to the alternative.
Bath time is also when you should check your dog for signs of illness and injury. The ears should be cleaned and visually checked for signs of parasites and inflammation. Run your fingers through the dog’s fur to check for other infestations and problems. Consider performing some dental hygiene while you are at it. If you think you are prepared, go ahead and trim the dog’s toenails. It’s better to trim them a little at a time often than to have them become long and painful to the dog. At this point they will need to see the et to have it corrected.
Once the bath is complete, don’t forget to give the dog a thorough brushing. This will help remove shed hair and avoid tangles. If you have long haired dogs, failing to brush can lead to knots in the fur that will have to be cut out.