Bathtime & Grooming
After coming home with Roman (My German Shepherd/Husky Mix) from a good walk, I noticed he was in need of a bath- while Roman is pretty easy to bathe at this point, this is one of the more common problems that most dog owners struggle with. Between wrestling their pups, the jumping, slipping, and stress of it all for both dog and human is easily put off for another day. I have listed some tips here for making bath time more tolerable.
Start grooming training by having a quiet environment. Don't wait until your dog needs a bath to start working on it. You may choose to use a pet calming pheremone spray or theraputic grade lavender essential oil diffused in the house/bathroom to help with anxiety levels.
Placing a bath mat or towel in the tub or shower will greatly reduced the chance your dog will slip. It will also not only reduce the risk of injury to your dog, but also make them feel more secure and confident about the slippery bath tub.
If your dog hates the bath then we need to condition the dog with training to make a more positive association. I start grooming training by bringing them into the bathroom for a special treat or chew that helps them relax. Repeat this excersize as needed until your dog is no longer resisting going into the bathroom but rather seems to enjoy it.
Work up to sitting in the bath or shower with a treat, then start working with turning on the water. The sound and spray can be scary for many dogs. Work out what upsets your dog and find a work around. For example, instead of spraying your dog, use a cup or wet rag and slowly soak them instead. It may take longer, but they will be much less stressed out and easier to bathe.
Use a licki mat with some natural peanut butter or cream cheese to distract your pup while bathing. Some people even just spread it thin on the tub wall.
Only bathe if necessary. In general, a dog with a normal healthy skin and coat will only need a bath every 6-8 weeks unless your pup goes puddle jumping. That being said, a doggie rain coat may save you some trouble.
If they need to bathe more often to keep clean, avoid heavy scented shampoos which could irritate the skin. Speak to your local groomer or vet if you’re not sure what type of shampoo would be best.
Before bathing, remember to always give them a thurough brushing first when possible- this will eliminate some of loose hair, dirt, and make tangles easier to get out.
When lathering up your dog, be aware of any lumps, bumps, scabs, or mats that may need further attention. This would also be a good time to check ears for yeast/dirt/wax build up and give the teeth a good brushing. Remember, you can always break things down into smaller steps if your dog is sensitive about certain things. Have a few treats on hand (training treats/plain cut up chicken pieces) to treat though out the process and try to be as up beat with tone of voice as possible. Your dog will reflect your energy. If you are stressed, your dog will have more reason to be stressed.
Using a good doggy conditioner will vastly improve your dog's coat.
Thuroughly rinse and dry your dog off with a towel and blower if tolerated. Try to keep them warm.
Once they are completely dry, brush them out one more time to really get all the loose hair out from bathing. Give them a cuddle and a nice meaty bone or stuffed Kong to chew on once they are finished. The licking and chewing will cause seretonin (calming hormone) in their brain to increase and help them relax.