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Dog Care
Giving Your Dog a Bath
It seems to be inevitable. Have dog ... have smelly stuff mashed into his coat. And no amount of brushing is going to get rid of the stench. I don't know why it is, but all dogs, no matter how prissy they act, cannot resist a roll in something that smells like it died three years ago.
How big your dog is will make a big difference in where you choose to give him his bath. Small dogs can be easily accommodated in sinks or indoor bathtubs, but bigger dogs present a bit of a dilemma. Damage control is easy when you've only got a small pet. If you are a big dog fan, be prepared to be soaked yourself, no matter where you choose to get the dirty ... er ... clean deed done. If they must put up with this indignity, your dog is sure to share the water.
The Indoor Bath
A detachable shower nozzle with a lengthy hose is indispensable when bathing your dog indoors.
Have plenty of towels ready for after and keep your carefully selected shampoo ready. For dogs with sensitive skin, have your vet recommend a brand. For the extra-large variety of dog, a ramp might be a good idea to actually GET him into the tub.
Every bath day I find myself extremely envious of small dog owners, who can bathe their little pals in a sink.
Okay, now he's loaded up, what next?
Take your shower nozzle, and test the water temperature to make sure it is just warm, not hot. Rinse him down good, working your free hand under the fur to get it all good and wet.
Once he's thoroughly soaked, take a generous helping of shampoo, and work it in around his neck, over the top of his head, avoiding his face, and down his back, tail and legs. Get a good lather up, and massage his skin well.
After he's a standing ball of suds, take the hose again and rinse him off, starting from the neck again. Rinse him carefully, take care not to get any in his ears or eyes. Any remaining soap will irritate his skin, so make sure he's squeaky clean.
Special coat conditioner is optional, but is a nice touch. Again, take care not to get his eyes and ears. Rinse thoroughly one more time, and if you are lucky, he'll still be in the same spot he was before, allowing you to wrap him in a towel for a good pat down to absorb excess water. Be sure to get as much as you can. If he has a short coat, a few hours of comfortable relaxing on your formerly dry, warm sofa will finish him off.
If he has a long, or thick double coat, a blow-dry is in order, brushing out tangles as you go. Human blow-dryers are too hot, he'll need his own, which you can pick up at a pet supply store.
The Outdoor Bath
An outdoor bath is the same as above, but you must pick a warm day to do it. Garden hoses do not have temperature control, and most times the water coming from a garden hose can get very cold, very quickly.
The Final Touches
Eyes
Take a warm, wet face cloth and carefully wipe around his eyes, removing any goop that may have seeped into the corners. For some dogs, this is a constant task.
Ears
These should be cleaned once a month, regardless of bath time. Take a cotton ball, or a soft cloth, dip it in an ear solution, or mineral oil, and gently wipe around the inside of his ears. Don't go too deep, just the visible areas need cleaning.
Now pet your dog and give him a treat, put your feet and relax too. Congratulations. You've survived this bath time, maybe a little wetter, but definitely cleaner.
| View(440 Time) - - Post Date: 2007-01-13 23:48:17 |
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