Bath Time

[Oscar's Mom]

I was wondering how often do you give your dachsie a bath? I had read somewhere that you should not bath them often at all (something about the oils in their skin) and just try to brush them. I give Oscar a bath about every 2 months. He's so soft, that first day! He never lets me brush him and doesn't mind a bath too much.

[Augie Dog]

Augie jumps in the shower ( yes shower )with me about twice a week. I use jonson's baby shampoo or panteen (sp) His skin is smooth and not dried out. coat shines and smells great.

Once you start to shower with him, he may become a shower hog. He will nudge me over until he has all of the hot water beating on his back. He will just stand there and not move<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm28.gif" border=0>

[Krista]

I'd say every 2 months is about right. There are others that disagree and bathe every week, and others that never -or very seldomly bathe their dogs.

You have to find what works for you...

My boys skin tends to be dry, so I will only bathe every two months or so, so they keep as much of their natural oils as possible.

I use a grooming mitt, that has rubber nubbs on it to brush them, at least once a week. This helps them shed dead hair, get off dirt, and speads the natural oils. Their coats are super shiny!!

When I do bathe them, I find that mild puppy shampoo is very gentle and works well for me. They smell good, but their skin does not dry out from it.

I also give them a special rinse. I use a capful of Avon's Skin So Soft in a bucket of warm water as the final rinse. It just helps keep them soft and shiny -keeps bugs away for a few days too.

If he doesn't smell bad, isn't dirty, and you don't want to bathe him then don't.

If he starts to get dandruff, maybe he's getting bathed too often, or the shampoo is irritating his skin... As long as his coat is shiny and healthy and his skin isn't flakey, whatever you're doing is working for him.

---of course coat/skin problems can result from dietary problems too.

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[Augie Dog]

Avon skin so soft, what a great idea! I used to use that all the time, no skitters or ticks, wonder if aug will like it though? I'll have to find out.

[dutchman]

Both my boys are longhairs and I try to put off baths as long as possible. I had Frank for over four months before he got his first bath. Tanner got his first bath after just two weeks. Tanner has found something very sweet (to him) to roll in when we stopped at a friends house and he didn't get back in the house till after his bath. Frank always gets comments about how great his coat looks. He is naturally very shiny and soft. Tanner's coat was a little rough when I got him but is making progress and it now at least doesn't feel rough but it does lack the luster of Frank's coat. Originally the silver in his dapple coat almost felt like a brillo pad.
Frank has the appearance of having come from a very good breeder even people who have seen him at a couple of dog shows ask if he was showing because they thought he was better looking than a number of the entered dogs they had seen. Tanner's background is much more questionable I suspect either a back yard breeder or a pet store / puppy mill baby. I do occasionally use either one of the dry powder or pump spray mist shampoo between baths if they start to get a little stinky. I use either a puppy shampoo or some of the AVO shampoo I purchased while Frank had a hot spot on his tail for their regular bath(s) (only one each so far). They also are combed with a fine comb or flea comb once or twice a week. The flea comb is best since it really helps keep any mats out from behind the ears, the front legs or their pants.

Tom

Tom

[LisaH]

We bathe Annie (mini long-hair) once a month with the stuff I use for myself--Paul Mitchell Awapuhi shampoo and Body Shop Banana Conditioner. She comes out great and never has dry skin. I can't imagine not bathing her at least once a month--I don't like that "doggy" smell.

Annie doesn't like baths, and tries to hide (always in the same place, the little dummy!) when she hears the water running in the tub during the day. She's resigned, though, once we get her in the tub. And she has dog crazies afterward, running all over the house and standing on her head. <IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm35.gif" border=0>

[Roobyrocks]

During swimming season, Rooby gets a bath every week because of the chemicals in the pool. She uses Tea Tree Oil shampoo - it's gentle on her skin and smells real good. Anyway, I get in our big garden tub with her and she doesn't seem to mind the bath too much. It's easier to get in than to lean over the edge of the tub! Ofcourse she really enjoys the racing through the house afterwards.

Now that it's cooling off she prefers to go au natural - you know, the frito way!!

Skin So Soft! Great idea... multi purpose - good smell, shiny coat, no buggies. <IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm12.gif" border=0>

[Oscar's Mom]

Skin so soft is a great idea. It just reminded me that when Oscar was a puppy our vet said to use 1/4 SSS 3/4 water to keep the bugs off of him.
I'd like to try to shower idea!