Scrub-a-Dub-Dub
Now that you have your dog, it's time to put her into the tub or shower and get things started. If your dog is an escape artist, tie her in the tub. You can simply use that inexpensive slip lead and tie it somewhere sturdy in your bath area. If you don't have a good place to tie the dog, that's okay — just slip the handle onto your wrist and hold the lead with one hand so you can prevent escape.
If you'd prefer to bathe the dog outside, here is something to remember: Nobody wants a cold bath! For about $5, you can buy a fitting for your kitchen or bathroom sink that will allow you to attach a hose and run warm water into a tub outside.
Readying the Shampoo
Dilute your shampoo. To do this, fill up a plastic bottle with water, then add a little shampoo and shake it up. The mixture should be about one ounce of shampoo in a twelve- or sixteen-ounce bottle of water, but if your dog is particularly dirty, oily, or smelly, you may want to increase the amount of shampoo. Add the water first and then add the shampoo, or you will have suds galore.
Wet your dog first, then apply your shampoo mixture. Work from the neck down the back, then down the sides and underneath the chest and stomach. Lather up the armpits and down each leg and foot, making sure to wash between the paw pads and feel for any matting or debris. Then wash down the tail and under the tail. Be sure to wash any feces off the dog's rear (this is one area most people are too squeamish to attend to). Rinse well.
Why should I dilute the dog shampoo?
The dog will rinse better if you dilute the shampoo, and your shampoo will go farther if it is diluted. Diluted shampoo penetrates thick hair better on dogs with double or thick coats and gets to the skin better. Unless it is a medicated shampoo for a skin condition that must be used full strength, you can safely dilute any shampoo.
Focus on the Face
Use a tearless shampoo to wash the dog's head and face. Tearless shampoos are great for washing your dog's face because these products won't irritate the sensitive eye tissue. However, if you get any of the shampoo — regular or tearless — in your dog's eyes, immediately flush the eyes with water to reduce irritation.
Rinse the head and face off, being very careful not to get water up your dog's nose. Tip his nose downward so that won't happen. You may want to put your hand over the end of his nose to cover it and direct the water around your hand.
Pay special attention to the inside corners of the eye where matter builds up. If there is hardened matter in the corner of the eyes, gently soak it off and don't pull on it dry. Many times, the skin underneath the matter is reddened and sore. A flea comb also works to comb these out, but be sure they are soft, loose, and ready to come out so you don't pull a scab off the dog's face.
