1) Don’t Wash The Dog Bed
It’s easy to forget or be lazy about washing the dog bed’s cover. All of your dog's dirt and grime will transfer to places your dog lies down most. So unzip the dog bed cover and throw it in the wash. This is the easiest way to help your dog and home smell better.
2) Leaving Smelly Dog Spots
Has your dog left stains or smelly spot on the carpet or furniture? Put baking soda down on those spots and let it sit for 20 minutes and then vacuum it up.
Make sure your dog doesn’t eat the baking soda! Baking soda is unsafe for dogs in large amounts, so only spot clean with baking soda when your dog is in their crate or outside.
3) Don't Check Their Dogs Toe Nails
Walking your dog on hard surfaces, such as pavement or concrete, will help wear down your dog’s nails. Which means you won't have to trim their nails as often.
However, it's good practice to check your dog’s paws and see if their nails need a trim. This also gives you a chance to check your dog's paws and see if there are any usual cuts or scrapes on their paws.
4) Forget To Brush Out Their Dog
Depending on your dog’s breed, you should brush them out every few days to every couple of weeks. Most dog parents want to reduce the amount of dog hair in their home, care, and on their black pants. Brushing your dog regularly will help remove your dog’s excess hair, so less dog hair in your home, car, and on your black pants!
Do you know how to properly bathe your dog? Whether you do or you dont, check out Dog Bathing 101 (9 Bathing Tips)... you might learn something new today!
]]>Having a bath routine for your pup is important, so we're here to help you figure out how much you should wash your pup.
First and foremost, we want to keep your pup healthy and happy!
]]>Second, when your dog is wet and their hair is flat on their body, it is the perfect time to see what if your dog has any unusual bumps, scratches, or bugs. Ask your Vet if you see anything unusual.
Third, we will help you figure out your dog washing routine. Dogs should be washed as often as once every 2 weeks, but they should be bathed at least once every 3 months.
When determining how often to wash you pup… there are a few factors to consider:
1) How long is your dog’s hair?
If your dog’s hair length is long, that means their hair will hold onto more of the sand and dirt when they go on a walk, play at the dog park, or hang out at doggie daycare. For example, a golden retriever. Which means long hair dogs generally need more baths to get rid of any lingering sand and dirt.
If your dog’s hair is short, less hair for the sand and dirt to attach to. For example, a chihuahua. Which means short hair dogs tend to not need a bath as often.
2) How active is your dog?
Dogs need to run around outside and play in order to get dirty. So if your dog likes to lounge and chill all day, then they probably don’t need a bath that often.
On the other hand, if your dog goes for a couple walks a day, goes to the dog park, enjoys swimming in the lake, or goes to doggie daycare... then your dog is probably getting a consistent workout. Which means you’ll want to tend to bath your dog more often.
3) Does your dog have allergies/skin conditions?
If your dog has skin allergies or other health problems then you’ll want to do some research and/or talk to your Vet on how frequently you should bathe your dog.
4) Is over-washing your pup possible?
Yes, it is. Dogs need the natural oils that their skin to maintain produces in order to promote hair growth. Without those natural oils your dog might be itchy due to irritation and dryness. However, the rule of thumb to fall back on… if your pup smells, time to give them a bath.
Now, for the dog parents that feel 2 weeks between baths is too long for your pup… Check out the 4 Mistakes Dog Parents Make Between Dog Baths.
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1) Buy Dog Shampoo and Two Other Dog Essentials (Prevents ear infections)
All natural dog-specific shampoo is important, because it has the correct pH level for your dog's skin. This will help prevent potential skin irritation and dryness. Do not use human shampoo as it will cause dryness, and can disrupt a dog skin’s acid mantle. This mean you could be leaving your dog susceptible to parasites, viruses, and other bacteria.
2) Brushing Is Essential Before Bathing
Matted dog hair holds water, which can leave your dog with irritated skin. Brush or cut out the mats yourself before the bath. If you’re not comfortable cutting it out yourself take your dog to a professional dog groomer.
Plus a good brushing before a bath will help reduce the amount of dog hair that could get stuck in the drain.
3) Be Consistent With The Bathing Spot
Consistency can help reduce your dog’s fear towards baths. So pick the same bathing spot to help your dog be calm and comfortable. Whether that is the same bathtub, a sink, or a kiddie pool out in the yard.
A calm dog will mean a cleaner dog. If you need to calm their nerves during the bath, try a lick pad. Put peanut butter on the lick pad and that should keep your dog occupied for a bit. The bonus is that you are rewarding them mid-bath for being a good dog!
4) You Don't Have 3 Hands
Know that feeling when you are in the middle of washing your dog and you wished you had a 3rd hand to grab something? Yes, we have all been there. So make sure you gather up all the supplies you need before you start the bathing process.
Ensure you have set aside a clean dog towel, possibly a cup for rinsing, and treats for after the bath to reward them for their good behaviour. Above all, you don’t want to leave your dog unattended in the bathtub.
5) Only Use Lukewarm Water
Dog skin is different from human skin. Dog skin tends to burn more easily. So as a rule of thumb, only use a water temperature that you would use for a human baby. Not too hot, not too cold. Be gentle with your fur-baby!
6) Use A Calm And Reassuring Voice
Does your dog hide every time you get them ready for a bath? Don’t get frustrated. Using a calm and reassuring voice, might help teach your dog that baths are not a punishment.
Hopefully your calm voice will create a better bathing experience for you and your pup.
7) Shampoo From The Paws Up, Rinse From Head To Tail
Start shampooing your dog’s paws then work up towards their head. When you start rinsing, go from head to tail. This will stop the shampoo going into their eyes and ears. Make sure rinse well to get all the shampoo out so it doesn’t sit on your skin and causes irritation.
When the stream of water coming off your dog doesn’t have any more suds, that means you have successfully rinsed all the shampoo off your dog.
8) Air Dry Or Towel Dry
Air drying is the au natural way to go, but that may cause you and your home might get wet.
Towel drying is the most straight forward. Plus when you place a towel over your dog it keeps the heat in, which means it should reduce the amount of water your dog shakes all over your and your home.
If you want to really speed up the drying process, invest in a dog blow dryer.
9) Reward Your Pup With Treats And Fun
Want to make sure your pup looks forward to their next bath? Reward them with dog treats after their bath to let them know they did a paw-tastic job!
Dogs enjoy running out their bathing frustrations so have some playing tug-a-war with the dog towel and have some fun with your pup!
Now that you know how to properly clean your pup, find out how often you should you bathe your dog!
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