The Art of the Bath
There are two truths about giving a dog a bath: (1) It's easier if you're organized; and (2) Even if you're organized, you will still get wet. When getting organized, be sure to gather everything you'll need before you even think about running water and calling your dog.
That means two to three towels; a washcloth for cleaning the face; cotton balls for inside the ears; mineral oil to put around the eyes to protect them from soapy water; dog shampoo (and conditioner if you use it); a rubber mat to place in the floor of the tub or shower to provide sure footing; and a blow dryer that's plugged in and ready to go wherever you plan to dry the dog.
Step by Step
First things first: Never call your dog to come for a bath (or anything else unpleasant, such as getting medication). She'll quickly get the idea that coming when you call is a bad idea. Instead, go and get her. That way, she won't associate the “Come” command with doing something she doesn't like. Of course, if your dog loves getting baths, this advice doesn't apply.
Follow these procedural steps to ensure bathing success:
Begin by brushing your dog thoroughly. Work out any mats or tangles you find. If they get wet, they'll tighten up and become even more difficult to remove.
Take your dog to the bath area. A large walk-in shower with a seat and a handheld nozzle is ideal for your small or medium-size dog. Small dogs (up to about 20 pounds) can also be bathed in the kitchen sink, which is easier on your back than bending over a tub.
To repel water, dab mineral oil around the eyes, and place cotton balls inside the ears.
Wet your dog down to the skin with warm water; starting at the head and working your way back.
Apply shampoo, again starting at the head and working back. Massage it in thoroughly. Rinse with warm water until no more suds are running out of the coat. Shampoo that remains in the coat can make it look dull and flaky, so rinse thoroughly. Apply conditioner, if desired, and rinse again.
Grab a towel and start drying your dog. Stop for a minute to let her shake out excess water. If you have a longhaired dog, squeeze the water out of the hair on the ears, legs, and tail. By now your first towel is probably pretty wet, so grab another one and dry your dog some more before you let her out of the shower or tub.
Drying Time
Blow-drying your dog is best done with him on a grooming table, picnic table, or other surface that puts him at eye level. It's easier on your back and allows you to dry him more thoroughly. If you have a small dog, an option is to sit on the floor of the bathroom with the dog in your lap and blow-dry him from that position. Whichever spot you choose, be sure your dog can't get away. This means using the noose on the grooming table, closing the door of the bathroom, or having a helper hold the dog while you dry her.
Set the dryer on warm, not hot. Hold it several inches away from your dog's body, and keep it moving so you don't accidentally burn the skin. Brush through the coat as you dry to remove more loose hair, using a curry brush for shorthaired dogs and a pin brush for longhaired dogs. You can dry her completely, or you can get her mostly dry and let her finish drying in her crate. Just be sure the crate is not in the path of any drafts.
When you finally turn her loose, she'll probably go running through the house, rolling on the carpet in an attempt to rid herself of the funny shampoo/conditioner smell. And be warned: If you let her outdoors right after a bath, she'll probably go roll in the first dirty spot she can find.
