Newbie Dog Owner- How Do You Give A Bath?

[Louise]

I have never owned a dog and want to give the little stinker a bath! What kind of soap do you use? Do you use shampoo? Do you bathe them in the bathtub? Any and all helps would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Louise

[isobelsmom]

hi louise and welcome!

bathtime is fun! just keep telling yourself that and you'll be ok.

if your baby is small enough the kitchen sink will do. it's easier on your back than hanging over a tub!

use dog shampoo. human soap and shampoo can dry their skin. and there are many choices available. does your baby have dry skin? if so, an oatmeal or tea tree oil shampoo would work best. stinky? try one made for pulling out smells. funky coat? use the same for dry skin. i'd stay away from the perfumed ones as they can exacerbate dry skin and cause allergic reactions. is your baby a long hair, smooth or wire? be careful with conditioners--if you use one make sure it's not perfumed and rinse it out really well or it can cause the "itchies".

if you need to use the tub, you may want to take your wee one in the shower with you. i have a tweenie long hair named isobel and when i need to bathe her i take her in the shower with me. she's calmer and i can get her clean better than when she's in a sink or tub by herself.

good luck and have fun! feel free to ask any questions you need to. we're here to help you in any way we can! again, welcome and enjoy the board! http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/wavey.gif

mary and isobel (and the rest of the herd)

[~8DachsieAngels~]

Bathtime ..whoohooo...lol Its always a adventure here with 9 doggies in the house i use a shampoo called Allergroom on all my dogs it has a nice clean smell and is nondrying to their skin they all look and smell pretty .. the main thing with bathing is u need to be sure u dont get water in the ears and hopefully the eyes tear free shampoo is usually gentle on the eyes but still would try to avoid it if at all possible ... i always take a couple q-tips and ear cleaner and set then by the sink as i bath the dogs i clean their ears too may as well get it all done at once right... when u clean the ears be sure not to go to far down just like with human ears u want to be careful... Good Luck and have fun http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/smile.gif My dogs like toys in the bath they have plastic boats just like my son...lol

Jen

[isobelsmom]

jen,

do they really play with the toy boats? oh, that must be a site to see! http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/eek.gif

louise, jen made a good point about the ears. you may want to have saline solution (like for contacts) on hand in case you do get shampoo in his/her eyes. i use sebolux on isobel and it really helps with dry skin. you can get it at the vets.

mary

<font color="#00FFFF" font size="1">[This message has been edited by isobelsmom (edited July 30, 2000).]</font>

[~8DachsieAngels~]

Haha yes they really play with them they pounce on them like cats...lol and splash water everywhere... oh its a sight alright and a flooded kitchen or bathroom...lol

Jen

[Krista]

I use a tear free puppy shampoo by tomlyn een though Rudy is an adult now. It is very gentle and does not dry him out.

I put cotton in his ears -gentle to keep water out.

It is important not to bathe too often. No more than every 6-8 weeks should be more than adequate, unless they get into something smelly. more often than that removes the natural protective oils in their skin and may cause dryness or itchies.

Do you have a smooth coat baby?? If so I reccomend buying one of those grooming mitts with rubber nubbies on them. As you bush your baby with one of these dead fur and dirt come off and the natural protecting oils are stimulated and spread over the coat at the same time. I do Rudy with one of these every few days.

[Augie Dog]

If you have a shower with a door then that is the place. I used to give Augie baths. After the third time, I took him into the shower with me.

Why?

He can't get out.
He can't splash me. I am just a wet.
He can't get water all over the floor.
He can bark and whine all he wants, he ain't going anywhere.

What do I use on him? Johnson's BABY shampoo! What else would I use on MY baby. I give him a shower once a week, twice if we go on a cross country hike. If he sleeps in my bed he is gong to be clean!