How To Give The Perfect
Dog Bath
By
Doug Gelbert 
Most pet owners do not think twice about spending big
dollars to buy their dog premium dog food, the best health
care or even blissful days at a doggie day care facility.
Most pet owners also don't think twice when it's time to
give Bowser a bath. Grab the Head and Shoulders and fire
up the backyard garden hose. But lets give it a bit more
thought than that.
But a proper dog bath is key to
maintaining your pet's vigorous good health. The skin is
the body's largest organ and a perfect dog bath is key to
stimulating blood circulation and keeping the skin
healthy. Improper bathing can cause a matted condition in
the coat which is uncomfortable to your dog. The first
step in the perfect dog bath is a good brushing.
For short-haired dogs brush in a
circular motion with a curry comb made of rubber with
teeth cut into the edges. It will pull the dead coat out.
Slicker brushes will take out the dead undercoat. Start on
the legs and hold the outer hair so that you can brush
from the skin outward. If it is not removed, the coat will
easily mat. Use this technique all over the dog - legs,
body and tail. Dogs resent the tail being brushed so save
it for last. For fine-haired dogs use a natural bristle
brush. Moisten the area to be worked with a good coat
conditioner.
For long-haired dogs use a pin brush if
the coat is not tangled, a slicker brush if the coat is
tangled. Start at the legs, again brushing from the skin
out and brushing only a few hairs at a time. The secret to
thorough brushing is to brush only a few hairs at a time.
Check each area with a comb; if the comb goes through
without stress continue all the way up to the middle of
the dog's back. Go to the loin area and to the back legs;
then move to each side of the back of the dog.
You are now ready to wash. Never use
human shampoos to wash your dog. Dog shampoos are
specially formulated to match the pH level of a dog's
skin. Human shampoos can strip a dog's coat of essential
oils. The right way to bathe a dog is determined by the
texture and length of the coat. Short-haired dogs are
washed with a vigorous circular motion which will pull out
the dirt. On dogs with a medium- length coast, use a
back-and-forth motion. As the hair gets longer, go only in
the direction the hair grows.
Step 1. Rinse the dog completely.
Step 2. Apply the shampoo along the
back, working up as much lather as possible; do the same
with the belly, legs and tail.
Step 3. Rinse the coat with one hand to
run water on the dog and the other hand in a kneading
fashion to work the soap out. Make certain all the soap is
out as dried soap will dull a coat and cause skin
problems.
Step 4. Before towel-drying, squeeze as
much water out of the coat as possible by pulling the hair
straight out and squeezing at the same time.
Step 5. Use a washcloth to clean the
dog's face and avoid getting water in his ears. Moisture
inside the ears provides the conditions for fungus
infections.
Step 6. Towel dry your dog and use a
hand-held hair dryer on thick-coated dogs but never use a
human hair dryer as they run too hot and can burn the dog
and damage the coat.
Voila! A clean, healthy dog.
copyright 2006
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