Rub-a-Dub-Dog in the Tub
A clean coat is a healthy coat. Bathing removes the dead skin and hair and gets rid of any odor your dog might have. Once your dog becomes accustomed to the process, he'll actually enjoy the water massage. When you're ready to give your dog a bath, assemble everything you need before you get started — shampoo, towels, brush, rubber mats, and cotton balls.
A rubber brush or grooming glove is an optional — but very useful — bathing accessory. Use it to spread the shampoo thoroughly over your dog's body. It grabs the hard-to-reach dirt and debris and helps loosen the dead hair. The brush also speeds up the rinsing process.
If you have a small dog that weighs less than twenty pounds or so, try bathing him in your kitchen sink. For large dogs, your shower might be just the place for a doggy spa treatment. Otherwise, your bathtub with the sprayer attachment will work just fine. Brush your dog outdoors before bathing him. This dislodges all of the dead hair so it doesn't clog up your tub drain. Before putting your dog into the tub, place a cotton ball in each of his ears to prevent water from dripping inside.
Unless your dog loves water, his first bathing experience may be a challenge. To make your dog feel more comfortable with the process, don't rush him into a full stream of water. Instead, gently place him in the tub with the water off. Then, using the handheld sprayer, add a little warm water to your dog's legs, then his back and shoulders so he can become accustomed to it gradually. Hold off on getting his head and face wet until he relaxes a bit.
Apply some herbal shampoo on his back and shoulders, massaging it in with the rubber brush. Herbal shampoos that contain oatmeal, tea tree oil, calendula, plantain, and aloe are soothing and therapeutic. Continue applying shampoo to his legs and head, but you don't need to work it into a lather. A little shampoo goes a long way. Rinse him off until there's no soap left. Any soap left on the coat will show up as flakes the next day, so be sure to get it all off.
As soon as you turn the water off, place a towel on top of your dog before he begins shaking water all over the bathroom. Begin towel drying him, and be sure to remove the cotton from his ears.
Deskunking Your Dog
It may never happen, but if your dog happens to meet up with a skunk, the experience could really stink. Your dog needs to be bathed as soon as possible, but regular dog shampoo won't do the job — and neither will tomato juice or vinegar.
Shampoo in your dog's eyes can cause corneal ulcers. You can put eye protection drops in a dog's eyes before the bath, but be warned: Some shampoos contain degreasing agents that will break down the mineral oil in those protection drops, and then the shampoo can become trapped under the oil. Use a tearless shampoo for the face, and even then always gently flush the dog's eyes with water after a bath to rinse out any shampoo residue.
Here's a foolproof natural recipe you can make yourself. In a plastic bucket, mix the following ingredients well:
Combine 1 quart 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, ¼ cup baking soda, and 1 teaspoon liquid soap. Be sure to wear rubber gloves to protect your skin from the chemicals as well as from the skunk oil.
Wet your dog down with water, apply the mixture deep into the fur, and work through the coat.
Leave the solution on for at least five minutes, or until the odor is gone; let your nose guide you.
Rinse off with tepid water. Repeat if necessary.
Pour the leftover solution down the drain with running water. Never store mixed solution in a closed bottle or sprayer. Pressure can build until the container bursts.
Cleaning Wrinkles
If you have a breed like a Pug or a Chinese Shar-Pei with loose skin on her face, head, or shoulders, you need to clean these folds and wrinkles every day. The deep folds fill with sweat and debris, creating an ideal environment for bacteria and yeast.
If you use a pet dryer, don't leave your dog unattended when the dryer is running. Even on a cool or low setting, the machine dries your dog quickly and your dog can easily overheat. Pet dryers are loud, and your dog may be frightened until he becomes accustomed to the noise. He may also knock the dryer over, which presents another safety concern.
Check the folds for redness, moist sores, rashes, or musty smells. These may indicate infection. If you notice your dog rubbing her head sideways against various objects, she may be trying to rub away the discomfort.
To clean the folds, apply some mild antibacterial soap or hydrogen peroxide to a damp washcloth. Lift the fold and wipe it from one side of the wrinkle to the other. Apply a little baby powder or cornstarch to keep it dry.
