Pet Head by Tigi, Animology - Dog shampoo, conditioner, towels, brushes

How to Easily Groom & Bathe a Dog

Giving your pet dog a regular bath will keep him clean and healthy and help to keep parasites away. Large or small, with long hair or short tufts, both dogs and owners appreciate a sweet smelling clean pet in the house. Follow these easy steps to have a smooth bath time for your beloved dog. Dogs shouldn’t be bathed too often in case their natural protective skin oils are stripped of causing itchy scratchy skin conditions, but of course it depends on how often you take him for a muddy walk. If your dog starts to smell, then you know it’s time for a bath.

Top Tips for Bathing Your Dog

First of all remember to remove his collar, dog ID tag and any other items that it may have attached. Next, give your pup a thorough brush with a decent quality dog grooming brush. You need to decide whether you can the inevitable mess that is bound to be made when bathing your dog. Do you do it outside or risk your family bathroom as the location for bath time? Whichever you decide the best place to bath your dog is make sure the temperature of the water isn’t too hot or too cold, to avoid scalding them or making him shiver. Small dogs should be relatively easy to bath in your own bath tub but larger dogs are probably best washed outside with a separate tub in the garden or patio.

Some owners buy raised dog baths allowing the owner to keep a firm hold on the dog, and the dog is less lightly to slip and slide around as they normally come with non slip surfaces on the base of the tub. If a small dog slips about in a large family bath simply purchase an ordinary non- slip bath mat especially for your pooches use.

Get the Right Equipment

It’s useful to have everything you need to bath your dog with ready before you start. Check you have the right sort of shampoo and conditioner for your pets needs. A bucket or water jug for rinsing off, clean towels only used for the dog (and not for the rest of the family!) and the brushes to help detangle. It’s also a good idea to purchase a special drain filter for your plug holes to stop pet hair from clogging up your plumbing.

You only need to fill your tub or bath with a few inches of water and place your dog in it carefully so you’re not scaring him. Start by wetting his coat all over, and if you’re using a shower attachment of spray let him get used to the noise before you bring it onto his body. Using the shampoo start at his head and work your way down to his tail, rinse thoroughly between shampoos then condition, rinse again and dry in the bath to prevent soaking your floor. Make sure you reward your dog after his bath with treats and cuddles so he gets familiar with the routine for the next time.

We have a great range of products to make bathtime easier, choose from Pet Head by Tigi  or Animology dog shampoos, conditioners and inbetween bath freshen up sprays.   A good towel is a must to soak up all that water, the Doggy Dry Towel is a must have at bathtime and finish off with a brush.

Remember to put your dog id tag back on again as it’s a legal requirement in the UK and you could be fined if your dog is found in a public place without a collar with clearly engraved identification details on it.

Order a New Dog ID Tag Today From Spottie Dottie

Spottie Dottie offers a huge range of pet products via our secure online shop. From a new dog ID tag, pet beds, jumpers, leads and bowls, toys, food, poop scoops and pet training aids, you’ll find everything you need for a happy pet on our website to order easily. We offer FREE delivery on any order over £50. Contact us via our online form for more details or browse our easy-to-use online shop.

Just arrived - Pet Head for Cats - cat shampoo, waterless shampoo and detangle spray.