Bathing

[Sherri]

How often should I bathe my doxie? I worry about drying out his skin if I bathe too often.

[Mandy]

The general rule on bathing your dachsie is....whenever they need it. If they are dirty, have something in their fur, or smell...go ahead and give them a bath. But if not, they should be fine. A trick to getting your dachsund to take a bath if they don't happen to like baths....let them in the bathroom as you take a bath. The curious little boogers can't help but want in on the fun and will usually beg to be let in. http://dachsie.org/ubb/smile.gif This has worked on both of ours and they love to swim in the bathtub during bathtime.

[Kitt]

I take Hannah in the shower with me! I hold her close to get her wet, then put her down and soap her up for a good scrubin'. Daddy always stands out side the shower so he can dry her off really good. She seems to perfer showers to baths.

[BrandiS]

My dachsie doesn't mind baths. She just sits there while I get her wet and soap her up. Then of course after we dry her off she roolls around on the carpet so she doesn't smell so good anymore, but hey, we try!

[Owen's Mom]

The rule of thumb for bathing Dachshunds is what one of the previous posters said.... Only bath them if they REALLY need it. I.E. They've rolled in mud or really stink. Dachshund producet natural oils that keep them from drying out too much. If you bath them too often, you'll tend to find they develop dry skin conditions, then you're in a vicious cycle of bathing them with special shampoos, putting them on unneccecary medications etc. So, limit the baths to every 6-8 weeks at the most. You'll find that your dog may stink one day and smell fine the next, without a bath. It's the nature of the little beasts http://dachsie.org/ubb/biggrin.gif Ocassionaly, Owen will get one in a two week period, but this because he's run through some other dog's poop or rolls in a mud puddle and there just isn't a choice. If your dog starts drying out, add a little Olive oil or Flax seed oil to their diet.

Good luck!!
~~Amy~~

[Sherri]

Thanks for the advice! I try not to bathe Gus too much. Of course, occasionally he does get stinky. Especially after walks in wet, yucky weather. But you are right, one day he stinks, and the next, he's ok. I will try to continue to bathe him only when he really needs it. He does handle the bathing experience rather well. Just kinda stands there.