Most of us have one of two opinions about bathing a dog. Some people believe you don’t need to bathe dogs very often – maybe once a year. Others feel that their dogs should be bathed every month.
Bathing is really good for dogs, but it may cause problems if you do it too much.
Just like us, dogs naturally have oils in their fur and skin. Bathing your dog too often will cause drying of the skin, which means itching, scratching and possible sores and injuries. Remember that the natural oils have some benefits, since they provide protection from bacteria and other elements.
If you want to make bathing fun for you and your dog, there are a few things to pay attention to.
1. Take care of your dog’s ears. Infections can occur when soap and water are able to enter the ear canal. This may be temporary, but it could also do some real damage. Infections harm the ear drum, leading to possible deafness. Not sure if your dog has an ear infection? He might if you see him shaking his head a lot, or if there’s a discharge from the ear.
If you want to make sure this doesn’t happen, plug your dog’s ears with cotton. Do this gently – never force the cotton into the ear. Just place it securely at the entrance of the ear to keep water out. Dry the ears gently when the bath is over, too. This can be done using a cloth on your finger. You can also use a cotton swab, but don’t do this too deeply. You could cause damage to the ear drum.
2. Make sure you use the right shampoo. Products made for people are irritating, harsh, and full of scents your dog may be allergic to. Dog shampoo protects your pet’s skin and fur.
3. The frequency with which you bathe your dog will depend on the breed you have. Dogs with long hair need to be washed more often than breeds that have short hair. That means that if you have a hairy breed, such as a spaniel, you may need to bathe as often as once every two months. Other breeds could go as long as eight months, but outdoor dogs will probably need more frequent bathing.
Starting your dog off right with routine bathing is important. Be compassionate and patient, since scaring your dog makes it a lot harder to bathe him. Make bathtime fun if you can, since lots of dogs enjoy swimming or being sprinkled with water.
If you can, set up your bath outside. Encourage your pet to run through or sit in it. Use toys to distract your dog from the water. Once he’s calmed down a little, start the bath. Some people put their pets on leashes to keep them from running away.
Have everything ready first, including soaps towel, a bowl for pouring water, and brushes. Water coming out of the tap might be a little cold, so let water in the bath warm up a little.
If you teach your dog that bathing is to be enjoyed, you and your pet will enjoy the next session.
It’s also important to look into the right dog training tools to make sure your pooch behaves like you want him or her to. Click Here for a proven dog training program that is easy to use to improve your dog’s behavior!
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