Grooming

If a tangle is small or relatively minor, or if your dog has just picked up a burr or grass awn, you may be able to gently remove it by brushing or combing it out. If, however, the tangle is extensive or there is a large clump of burrs or grass awns forming a mat, it may be necessary to cut out the clump of hair. In this case, you need to be extremely CAREFUL that you do not accidentally cut your dog’s skin. When tangles are severe or extensive, we strongly recommend that you seek professional care, either from a dog groomer or from your veterinarian. If a mat has caused any sort of skin irritation, you should take your dog to the veterinarian so that the appropriate treatment can be prescribed.

If you are planning on bathing your dog, make sure that you brush out as many burrs or tangles from the coat BEFORE bathing, since tangles can become impossible to remove after a bath!

Most dogs require bathing on an occasional basis, usually when their coat becomes dirty or when they develop a ‘doggy odor’. Non-shedding breeds that have no health issues usually need to be bathed about every six to eight weeks, at the time of their regular grooming. Dogs that have a heavy undercoat will benefit from bathing in the spring or fall when they are undergoing their seasonal shedding.

How often your individual dog needs to be bathed will vary somewhat with its age, lifestyle, type of hair coat, and underlying health status as discussed above. If you have a young puppy that is just being house trained and it accidentally soils itself, there is no question that it should be bathed immediately. A dog that enjoys running through puddles or jumping into water may need a bath after a stroll through the mud or a romp in a scum-covered pond. Some dogs enjoy rubbing their head in decomposing debris in the park, or rolling in objectionable objects, and will need a bath whenever this happens so that it is allowed back into the house! Finally, if your dog has allergies, your veterinarian may prescribe frequent bathing as part of the treatment regime—with some of these dogs, daily bathing may be necessary until the problem gets under control.

If you find that your dog requires frequent bathing, you should discuss this with your veterinarian, who may recommend the use of a special shampoo, conditioning rinse, or ‘dry shampoo’ so that your furry friend does not develop skin problems associated with the repeated baths.

No. Dogs should only be bathed in a shampoo that is formulated for use on dogs – their skin has a different thickness and pH than human skin, and human shampoo, including baby shampoo, is too harsh for their skin. For regular bathing, a hypoallergenic shampoo without any added perfumes is the best choice.

You should always bathe your dog in warm water, partly for the comfort of the dog and partly because shampoos clean more effectively in warm water. Depending on the dog’s size, you may find that it is convenient to bathe him in the laundry tub or the bathtub, or even in a walk-in shower stall. The common habit of washing dogs under the garden hose, using cold water, is not recommended and is often the reason why dogs dislike being bathed.

“Make sure you read the instructions on the shampoo label…”

After you have applied the shampoo, work it through the entire coat to remove all dirt and debris. Some owners of dogs with particularly thick coats find that it is best to dilute the shampoo in some water so that it is easier to apply and rinse out. For routine bathing, you can rinse the shampoo out right away, but if you are using a medicated shampoo, it must be allowed to sit on the coat for 5-10 minutes before being rinsed out. Make sure you read the instructions on the shampoo label for the specific product that you are using or follow your veterinarian’s directions if you are using a medicated shampoo.

Once the shampoo has done its job, it must be completely rinsed out. For best results, a conditioning product should be applied afterward, to restore any lost moisture to the skin and minimize the development of dandruff after the bath.

Dogs with long hair may be more comfortable if their coat is cut short for the summer, depending on the circumstances. This haircut should be done before the temperature becomes too high, so that the exposed skin does not become damaged from sunburn.