Baths? Dryers?

[SleepiTune]

I'm sure this question has been asked lots of times before but I can't find a thread on it anywhere so...how often does everyone bathe their Dachsies?

Is once a day too much??





;) JUST KIDDING don't worry!

I think I've been bathing Mud about once every three weeks to once a month. I actually enjoy it a lot! Grooming, that is.

Also, what do you think of doggie hair dryers? Worth it or no? I have a gift card to PetSmart from Christmas and I'm thinking I might spend it on some grooming supplies. I already have the basics (a slicker brush, nail clippers, soft brush etc) but any suggestions on things that have come in handy for you? There are quite a few unique things at PetSmart!

[Petey's Mom]

I've never seen a doggie hair dryer, but I know Chief, my LH, will let me use the hooman blow dryer on him (low setting).....but I don't because he comes out looking like a chubby brown dandelion puff :D

I bathe my two (one LH and one SH) only if they get muddy outside or get a strong doggy odor....which Petey gets more than Chief. they probably get bathed about once per month. I use a moisturizing shampoo for dry skin on both, and conditioner on Chief to make him a little silkier. I think the key to bathing is not frequently and make sure to get all the shampoo rinsed off to avoid dry skin.

Petey won't sit still for brushing, and his hair is so short it really doesn't matter. Chief lets me brush him for about 5 min, then he's outta there. However...if I brush the cat...both dogs are THERE!!! I think they get jealous if Mommy touches the kitty -- silly boys!

[Doxie_88]

I bathe all of my dogs once a month on average. I can't stand for them to go any longer than that, as I just don't think anything can be clean after not having a bath for a month. Especially when they're out walking, with chests just inches off the ground full of who knows what. Their skin and coats have also improved greatly now that I bathe them monthly, as opposed to what my family used to do (2, maybe 3 baths yearly). I use a mild shampoo and conditioner (made by Earthbath) on them all. They don't need to stink for me to bathe them - if I waited for that to happen, they'd be able to go well over a year without a bath.

As far as hair dryers, human dryers are not supposed to be good for dogs but I've never had a problem as long as I don't use it long and put it on the cool setting. I don't blow dry the Dachsies (because they're smooth coats), but I do blow dry my retriever mix with it. A dog hair dryer is definitely a good investment though if you can find a good one. I plan on getting one eventually as they're better for the dog and work quicker (drying quickly is more important for me than it is for you probably, as Tollers - my breed of choice - have a lot more coat than a Dachshund).

[beausmom1]

We do all of Beau's grooming and bathing stuff about once a month. I don't use anything special, just what you mentioned--I think his little bath box has nail clippers, the double sided brush, ear solution, toothbrush & paste, trimmers, shampoo, a flea comb...and a thing of treats! If I have to blow dry, I use the dryer on a low setting, but we don't do that very often. He usually dries himself off somehow after I towel dry him! I have to agree that the blow drier makes him come out
looking like a chubby brown dandelion puff haha!:D

The only other thing I use are the bath wipes on occasion when I think he has gotten a little too into his raw food or the mud or something! Other than that, I think we do just fine with our very few grooming tools. But, hey, if you have a giftcard...go crazy!:D

[Suzanne R]

I only bathe them myself on RARE occasions; usually it's a monthly (or six weekly) thing at my vet's groomer, where it's shampoo, nails, ears, anal glands, etc., so I have no real need for a special hair dryer.

[Dackel-Mom]

Hmmmmmm - Tessa is now 16 months old and hasn't had a bath yet. Rodney had his last bath in August of 2006 and Miss Bicalina hasn't had a bath at my house either, and she's been with us now for 8 months. :D

[SirOliversMom]

Oliver gets a bath every 6 weeks or so. The boy just doesn't get body odor. Tammy needs a bath once a month to return her fur to it's soft brilliance. Hope is our stinky girl (anal glands) and can sometimes get a bath twice in a month. But I use a mild shampoo.

They could use a bath every three weeks by rights, after all they do sleep with us. No dryers. In the summer we use the sun and in the winter we towel dry vigorously which they love, and turn the fireplace on of course!

[dutchman]

The boys last baths would be counted in years not days, weeks or months. I think their last baths were at least two years ago. Frank and Tanner the two longs get combed regularly. I have used a pump baby powder scented dry wash if they had rolled in something and got an odor only but can honestly say I can't remember the last time that happened. I always get comments on how good their coats look.

[Dackel-Mom]

I'm with you - I think bathing them too often does them more harm than good. ;) With those non-shedding breeds it's a different ballgame because they have different type skin than your average dog, but dogs that shed shouldn't be bathed too often. It destroys their ability to produce oils which are vital to regulate the temperature of the body. (.ie. Help keep them protected from moisture and cold) :)

[Doxie_88]

That's not the case for most dogs if you use a high quality, mild shampoo (and dilute it too). I have a retriever mix, with the typical retriever water repellent coat. Bathing doesn't harm her in any way. She can go out for a swim the day after a bath and be dry again within minutes. I have different breeds (Doberman, Rottweiler, Toller mix, and Dachsies obviously) and not one of them hasn't benefited from regular bathing. This is all just my opinion and experience of course, but I know other people who bathe their dogs regularly too and have had the same results if they're using a good shampoo. :)

[Lambygyrl]

When I can't stand it anymore... used to be 1 x week when he slept with us in the big bed.... but now its more like once every 3-4 weeks, maybe more often in the summer. But no more than 1 x week unless he gets into something icky!!! I use dog shampoo which I got in FF... a teeny tiny amount, dilute it with water in my hands. Not a good idea to use too much shampoo, dries out the skin.

[stacicakes]

I used to bathe Molly every 6 weeks when I would take Maggie to the groomer but I stopped back in Sept. Now she only gets a bath if she is dirty and really needs it....about every 3-4 months or so. Maggie needs professional grooming every 6-8 weeks...Bichons are very high maintenance :D ! Of course my two love to dig so they get rinsed off with warm water several times a month :D . Today was too much mud for a rinse so I gave them both a mini bath...light soap, good rinse. Towel dry for Molly, blow dry and thorough brushing and combing for Princess Maggie. Molly took all of 5 minutes. Maggie took a good 1 1/2 and that wasn't even a real bath :faint: ! I do alot of paw washing and wiping here as well as quick wipe downs of their bodys before bed since they sleep on my pillow!

[zoeysmom]

Not frequent baths here either. I think zoey's last bath was maybe 8 months ago or so. Paws do get wiped off with some regularity. No doggie odor, shiney coat. Seems to work for us:)

[SleepiTune]

You sound exactly like me! It just kind of bothers me when I know they haven't had a bath in a long time. And the fact that they're so low to the ground makes me feel like he must get dirtier than most dogs too! lol. And I agree, everytime I've bathed Mud, his coat looks better and better. And even the thing about how your family would rarely bathe their dogs, that's exaclty how it is here! I don't think my mom's Schipperke has EVER had a bath and honestly, he looks and feels just fine. But I couldn't do that with my dogs!

You have Tollers? I've always had an interest in them! Please tell me more about them! What are they like to live with? When I eventually move out, I want to get one bigger dog and they're on my list of choices!


I bathe all of my dogs once a month on average. I can't stand for them to go any longer than that, as I just don't think anything can be clean after not having a bath for a month. Especially when they're out walking, with chests just inches off the ground full of who knows what. Their skin and coats have also improved greatly now that I bathe them monthly, as opposed to what my family used to do (2, maybe 3 baths yearly). I use a mild shampoo and conditioner (made by Earthbath) on them all. They don't need to stink for me to bathe them - if I waited for that to happen, they'd be able to go well over a year without a bath.

As far as hair dryers, human dryers are not supposed to be good for dogs but I've never had a problem as long as I don't use it long and put it on the cool setting. I don't blow dry the Dachsies (because they're smooth coats), but I do blow dry my retriever mix with it. A dog hair dryer is definitely a good investment though if you can find a good one. I plan on getting one eventually as they're better for the dog and work quicker (drying quickly is more important for me than it is for you probably, as Tollers - my breed of choice - have a lot more coat than a Dachshund).

[SleepiTune]

These answers are very interesting to read!

Alissa -- I use a "thing" of treats too! hehhhe :D He has a little bath box? Did you put it together yourself or did you buy it somewhere? I would like something like that! I don't have any ear solution but I've been wanting to buy some.

[shannon20_01]

I give Buster and Jake a bath about once a month. They hate baths. They run and hide when I run the water and call their name. When I'm done, I just dry them off with a towel and they run around the house like crazy dogs. It's pretty funny. They don't like the sound of the hair dryer, so I just let them air dry.

[Bobbiesmom]

Bobbie hates the dryer too! We bathe her only once every 2-3 months...My family is totally shocked that she sleeps in the big bed with us & gets bathed so infrequently, but we use doggy wipes daily and she only goes outside with us & we watch her to make sure she doesn't get in any mud or stinky poo (and if she does, it's bathtime!).

[MorenaChula]

I try to bathe Mocha once a week or every other week. But lately it's been down to once a month. Mocha's frito feet can smell up the place at times. lol. I doubt she would ever allow me to use a dryer on her period.

[graci67]

I usually bathe Graci once a month or so.. only because lately she keeps finding things to roll around in :sick: I use a shampoo from Hartz but it doesnt work as good as it should... Im going to the petstore today to find another brand.

As far as hair dryers go, we dont use one in our house because Graci is TERRIFIED of the dryer! I tried it once and she backed away and screamed... so no dryer for her just the air :D

[Lucy & Lola Mom]

Lucy & Lola get a bath every 2 weeks ON THE DOT!! They love to run around outside and play in the dirt so they also get the "wipe down" every time they need it. They seem to enjoy bath time and are very cooperative. We bathe them, clean their ears, brush their teeth, and even blow dry them with our regular hair dryer on low. We have been doing this routine since day one and they don't seem to mind it. The only thing we take them to the groomers for is the nail clipping and the anal expression (so far only Lucy has gotten this done). I will probably never be comfortable doing either one of those tasks!!

[KANGBANJO]

HI mine probably get baths more than most. they are both wirehairs and i use harsh coat shampoo on them. they have a bath before a show and then again when we get home. I have had to was my standard girl during a long show weekend, we showed on dirty in the rain , and the sight of mud makes her want to turn into a pig and go roll in it. If she happens to do this or roll in something(like sheep, goose droopings) then I just rinise her off unless it is really smelly. I going to getting a dog hand held dryer with a stand soon. I seen some in pet catalogs for around $30. I just made a big order or chewies(pet edge had some xmas ones 90% off online so i couldn't pass them up) and grooming arm for my table so I have to wait on the dryer till next month.
I have been using mine own hair dryer on cool low but i don't have any shows for about 5 weeks so I will be ok till then.
kristi
Brandy standard wirehair and Banjo the mini wirehair

[LoriZ]

I bath my dogs about every 7-10 days I just cant stand it any longer then that it hasnt seem to bother their skin. Brody itches some but I think it is other issues then the bathing. I have done this since I've had them. Brody is a 80lb dog so he gets quite stinky and he dont mind a bath I just say brody get in the tub and he gets in and stays til i say ok get out. Since hes large I knew i had to train him to do this since he was little I didnt want to eve rhave to pick him up :P
Dotchy dont mind a bath either hes just used to it I actually think he enjoys the scrub down and they both love to run laps around the inside of the house when they get out liek they feel so nice adn clean LOL!!!

[doxyangel]

I bath the kids about every week. I use skin so soft from Avon in their bath with a special doggy shampoo. Lucky our pit bull mix needs the extra oil so I just use to bath him then the other doxies started to jump in with him before I would even run the bath water. I try to go every 2 weeks. I use the blow dryer for a few minutes on the lowest setting then I get bath towels out of the dryer for them all.