While bathing dogs look so cute and adorable in videos, it is actually a pretty challenging task. For starters, pets do not stay still and will react to the entire process. Secondly, the shedding can clog the drain. You need to consider the part where you will carefully have to give the dog a haircut or cut its nails. Drying the dog is also a huge task and requires time and patience. This is why most of us prefer to send the dog to the groomers who care for every grooming detail. But frequent grooming at the groomers can get heavy on your pockets; hence, you must also learn how to groom the dog yourself at home. You must be careful throughout the process for the dog’s safety. Therefore, we have listed a few safety tips you should follow while bathing your dog.
1. Choose the Right Shampoo
If your dog suffers from any skin allergies or sensitivities, then you should consult the vet before purchasing a shampoo for the dog. Getting a fruit-based or oatmeal shampoo is standard as it is gentle on the skin and helps make the coat shiny. For the face, use a tearless shampoo to protect the dog’s eyes. The shampoo must be made of natural ingredients, as the dog may ingest it, and it should not harm its digestive system. It is best to choose shampoos without perfumes, as the dog may not prefer one with a strong fragrance. You can also learn what shampoo suits your dog’s breed best. For example, click on Goldendoodle shampoo to know what suits these dog breeds best for their coat type.
2. Tie the Dog
You do not want the dog to run around the bathroom while you groom it. Hence, tie it in one place, eventually calming the dog, and you can easily groom the dog without struggling.
3. Brush the Dog
Before you start the bath, brush the dog. Your dog may have short hair or long hair, single or double coat. Whatever it be, it is important to brush out all the excess hair stuck in the coat and undercoat or mats before the bath. If there are mats during the bath, the water will make it tighter on the skin and more irritable.
If you use a slicker brush to brush, you need to be careful not to scratch the dog’s skin while using it. It is better to use it on tops with longer coats. For a short-haired dog, you can use rubber brushes like the Zoom Groom that will be safer to use and not injure their skin. If there are mats in sensitive areas like in the sanitary area, behind ears, armpits, or between the paw pads, do not attempt to brush them out, as the skin is too sensitive. These mats need to be shaved out. If you are not comfortable shaving these sensitive areas, let it be. You can hire a professional groomer to shave only these areas, and they will charge a lesser price than the full grooming. Do not forget to use a Furminator or an undercoat rack brush to remove undercoat loose hair from a double-coated dog.
4. Rinse the Dog Thoroughly
Rinsing is an essential step as you do not wish for any shampoo to be left on the dog’s skin that could turn into a hot spot. Hence, rinse the dog thoroughly. While you do this process, ensure water does not get into the dog’s ear. This can be tough but try to work with gravity. Push the dog’s head down before pouring water. You can close the ears with a band or use a cotton ball to cover the inside of the ear. The dog also gets aware of the water entering their ear and tries to shake it off, let them do it.
5. Learn How to Blow Dry Right
After the bath, the first towel dries the dog as much as you can using a super absorbent towel. Once they are not dripping water everywhere, use a blow dryer to dry their coat. Ensure not to turn on the heat setting too high as it can burn their skin. Put cotton balls in their ears or cover the ear using a band if they have issues with the sound of the blow dryer.
6. Clean the Dog’s Ears
When you groom the dog, it is time to clean their ears. Remove the cotton balls you had inserted while blow-drying. Use a dog ear cleaner and pour it into their ears. Immediately insert a clean cotton ball and wipe out any dirt from the ears. You need to hold the dog to do this as they may not easily allow you to do so. Do not go too deep. Observe the cotton ball. If it is dirty with excessive wax, then the ear could be infected, and you need to see the vet.
7. Cutting the Nails
The last part of the grooming is something we all dread; cutting the dog’s nails. Firstly, you need to understand how should you do it the right way, as if you cut it too much, your dog can bleed. You also need to be ready with the powder that can help stop the bleeding, just in case. Use regular dog nail clippers and avoid the quick while cutting the nail. If the growth is not much, you can use a nail filer directly to trim the nail as needed. Also, listen to the dog; if it begins to yelp, stop immediately as they can tell when you are really close to the quick. If the process stresses the dog too much, give it some break before you continue with nail clipping.
The Bottom Line
Grooming your dog on your own can become a bonding time between you and your dog that you should not miss. It may seem time-consuming and challenging, but you and the dog will get used to it over a few months. The dog will get calmer and more comfortable throughout the home grooming process, which will help you finish the task efficiently. Ultimately, do not forget to give the dog lots of love and well-deserved treats.
