How to wash your dog: a complete guide

For hygiene and well-being, it's important to wash your dog regularly. This is essential, especially because dogs love to play. As a result, dirt can quickly build up and cause unpleasant odors. It's important to get into the habit of washing your dog with a good shampoo to make them feel comfortable and remove dirt. It seems simple enough, but in most cases, washing your pet isn't always easy. 

If you haven't taken the time to get your dog used to bathing, he can quickly become aggressive. Likewise, you may struggle if you don't know how to care for your little pooch. Wondering how to make bath time a success for your dog? Here's some information to help you take proper care of him. 

Should you wash your dog?

Should you bathe your dog? This is a question many people ask themselves all the time. The answer seems obvious, but it deserves some clarification. There's no doubt that wash your dog is useful and offers many benefits for it. 

Before learning how to bathe a dog, you need to know when to bathe your dog in order to do it correctly. It is also necessary to know how often to wash his dog so that everything goes well. 

Why is washing a dog very important?

Washing a dog is a very important action, mainly for hygiene. Pets need cleanliness in order to live with us. Thus, washing is necessary to remove dust and all the dirt that has stuck to the dog's hair. The latter is therefore no longer a victim of allergies and is better resistant to external aggressions due to various parasites. Any foreign bodies that may have settled can be removed at the same time. In addition, if your dog tends to shed a lot of hair, then washing your dog is even more important! To learn more, check out our article on hair loss in dogs.

When your dog is clean, he doesn't give off unpleasant odors, and you feel comfortable playing with him. Another purpose of bathing a dog is to reduce itching and remove scabs. Washing your dog is important to remove dander and various parasites. While bathing is beneficial, it's also important to know how often to bathe your dog.

How often should you wash your dog?

How often should you bathe a dog? This question comes up all the time, and it's a very important one. In reality, you should bathe your dog whenever it gets dirty. However, it's recommended not to bathe your dog too often in order to avoid weakening it. Bathing too often could cause the flu or even remove sebum from the animal's skin.

When an owner doesn't know How often should you wash your dog? and does it too often, it exposes him to skin diseases. So, How many times can you wash a dog? without causing him harm? Ideally, it is necessary wash a dog being more than two months old once a month. Before two months, the dog does not yet have a definitive coat and there is no point in washing it. For dogs with long hair, it will be useful to brush often with a detangling comb which you can find in our online store to remove dead hair.

How to wash your dog?

Now you know why and when to wash your dog. Now we have to deal with another question that is just as important: how to wash a dog? Knowing the different steps and the best method to adopt is necessary if you want the best for your dog. It is not enough to throw it in a dog bathtub or wash your dog by spraying it with water. 

Before actually washing your dog, there are a few questions you should ask yourself to make the task easier. What should you use to wash your dog? Should you wash your dog? in a dog shower or dog bath? What to do after cleaning the dog? 

What should you use to wash your dog?

Savoir what to wash your dog with is one of the main steps in properly washing your dog. Just as there are products for humans, there are products specifically designed for dogs. Dogs have a specific skin type that can't tolerate certain types of products. Shampoo is used to care for all dogs' skin. But can you wash a dog with human shampoo? The answer is obviously no, it's not possible to wash your dog with normal shampoo that could be used for humans. 

For dogs, shampoo plays the role of a care product, but also a beauty product. Its choice must therefore be made with great care to avoid causing skin problems in the dog. The product should never be harsh on your dog's skin. Human shampoos can seriously damage the animal's skin. Instead, it's important to select a dog shampoo with a neutral pH that matches your dog's skin type and whether your dog has short or long hair. 

If your dog has long hair, a conditioner will be necessary. Above all, you should avoid using chemicals that are very dangerous for your dog's health. Natural shampoos are available from your veterinarian. It's also possible to wash your dog without shampoo, but instead use black soap. But one question remains: where should you wash your dog?

Where to wash your dog?

After choosing what to bathe your dog with, you now need to find the ideal place to do it. In fact, all the conditions must be met to put the dog at ease. This way, the operation will go smoothly, especially if the animal is not used to bathing. The ideal place to bathe your dog is the bathroom where you can clean it properly. 

If you have a small dog, you can gently wash him in the sink or washbasin. For a medium or large dog, you should go directly into the shower or dog bath. Here, you will need to place a non-slip mat or simply a towel to prevent slipping. If you are washing in the bathroom, it is important to close the door. The dog could panic and try to get out of the bath. In hot weather and if the dog is used to being washed, it will be possible to wash him outside.

Preparing your dog for a bath

When it comes to understanding how to bathe your dog, nothing should be left to chance. Every step is equally important and contributes to the success of the treatment. It is not possible to learn how to wash a dog without mastering the preparation. This is an important phase that allows pets to feel confident before cleaning.

 So, it is important to do a little inspection of the dog to see if there are any problems and that he is not having any problems. The groomer must remove his dog collar Then check the head, including the eyes, ears, and neck. The armpits, tail, and legs will also be checked to make sure everything is okay. For long-haired dogs, you will need to remove any tangles, brush them, and finally comb the fur. If the tangles are too large, you can trim them on the surface. 

During the preparation phase, the dog's nails will need to be trimmed if they are too long with a dog nail clipper to nail clippers. You should not cut too short to avoid bleeding. Finally, putting cotton in the dog's ears helps prevent water from entering and causing ear infections. To make things easier, you can choose dog toys which will allow the dog to associate washing with a moment of play. 

Wash your dog well

After reviewing the previous steps, it's time to look specifically at how to bathe a dog. Since dogs are sensitive to hot water, the water used for bathing should be lukewarm. If bathing in a bathtub, fill it up to the animal's elbows. Then wet the animal's entire body, up to the head, paying special attention to the eyes and ears.

 Apply the dog shampoo to the dog's body and massage the coat to lather. Don't leave any area uncleaned, as all parts of the body need to be cared for. The neck, belly, and paws are areas that are usually forgotten. You can use a dog paw cleaner if necessary. 

After a thorough cleaning, rinse the animal thoroughly to remove all residue from the product used.

After cleaning the dog

After a thorough cleaning, it's time to dry your dog. To do this, wrap him with a ultra-absorbent towel or a dog bathrobe and pat lightly for a thorough drying. Either way, the dog will be sure to shake off a good amount of water.

 You can still use a hairdryer to finish drying. After the bath, prepare a treat for your pet. They will begin to associate grooming with treats and will become less and less resistant to the experience. 

How to wash a puppy: the differences

Can wash a puppy Under 2 months old? This question is quite common and you should bathe your dog after 2 months. Puppies are quite fragile and can develop some respiratory problems especially if they haven't been dried properly. You can't bathe a puppy the same way you would an adult dog. 

There is a difference and you have to be careful not to make mistakes. The puppy is much more fragile and cannot be washed just any old way. As with the dog, it is necessary to understand how to wash a puppyFirst of all, you need to know how often to wash a puppy to do it with peace of mind.

How often should you wash your puppy?

The maximum frequency for washing a puppy is once a month. As with adult dogs, the goal is simply to avoid skin and coat problems. Sometimes, you may want to clean your puppy as soon as he arrives. You should definitely not do this without taking into account his age, but also his state of health. A puppy that is too young or has distemper, for example, should never be washed. Be patient; you will be able to bathe him very soon. 

How to wash your puppy?

To bathe your puppy, you must proceed gradually and reassure him to make the experience enjoyable. Talk to him and pet him to build his confidence before the bath. Gently place him in the dog bath or basin to begin the bath. You will then need to wet him, starting with his paws before gradually moving up to his head.

 Put a little puppy shampoo in your hand and apply it to the dog's coat. Then, rub it in gently in a circular motion. Rinse thoroughly, always being careful not to scare the dog. Finally, dry it thoroughly with an absorbent towel. 

FAQ: Everything you need to know about cleaning your dog

My dog ​​is afraid of water, what should I do?

If your dog is afraid of water, you need to teach him how to reassure him. You should definitely not force him by pouring water directly on him. Create a game to encourage him to use water as a tool he can use. 

So start playing with him at the water's edge to make him feel comfortable. You can also put toys or other objects he likes around to encourage him to play in the water. You can also encourage him with treats. 

Can you wash your dog with Marseille soap?

Canine pH is not as acidic as human pH. Marseille soap is designed to be suitable for human skin. Normally, it should not be used on our four-legged friends. It is still a fairly gentle soap that can be used, but only occasionally. It is therefore possible to wash your dog with Marseille soap.

Can you wash a dog with human shampoo?

Many people wonder: can you wash a dog with human shampoo? Human shampoo, as the name suggests, is formulated for human skin. However, dogs and humans do not have the same skin type. 

A human-specific product would be too harsh for dogs. Therefore, it's not possible to use a shampoo that you can use yourself on your dog. Choose a natural shampoo that won't pose any risks later on. 

Can you wash your dog with shower gel?

You should never bathe your dog with shower gel, as this product is not suitable. Shower gel can be harsh on their skin or coat and cause problems. Dog shampoo is the best product you can use for your pooch. 

What is the ideal water temperature for a dog bath?

Bath water for dogs should be neither too hot nor too cold. It should be lukewarm, between 35 and 38°C (XNUMX and XNUMX°F) to avoid causing pain to your pet. You should also run the water over your skin to ensure it's the right temperature.

Please feel free to leave a comment below this article if you have any suggestions or questions. We would love to answer them and help you with your relationship with your pet.