Learn
More!
How
to Bathe a Dog
Even though
a good bath is one of the kindest things you can give your shelter's
dogs, chances are they're not going to see it that way. But while you
probably won't win the
hearts of all canines by getting them wet, you can make the experience
more pleasant for
both you and the dogs if you follow these steps. These instructions
are appropriate for
friendly shelter dogs in need of just a bit of cleaning. Heavily matted
or aggressive dogs
should be handled by a professional groomer.
1. Put
on Your Wet Suit
Even the most docile dog may struggle or squirm during a bath, so be
sure to put on a smock to keep yourself from getting soaked. The best
location for bathing a dog is in a room with a closed door; this will
prevent a wet and nervous dog from fleeing through the building should
she get away from you. Make sure that the dog stands on a non-skid surface
during her bath. Before beginning, have your supplies ready: brush,
shampoo, detangler, mineral oil, cotton balls, and a muzzle or harness
(if you plan to use one). That way, you don't have to leave a possibly
frightened dog in the room by herself.
2. Prepare
the Pooch
Before starting the bath, you may want to let the dog get accustomed
to you, and give her a chance to relieve herself. If the animal is particularly
nervous, consider muzzling her and asking a partner to help you. Try
to comb out major snarls in the dog's fur, and trim her nails to keep
her from clawing you accidentally. Put a drop of mineral oil in each
of the dog's eyes and cotton balls in her ears to keep water and soap
from getting in them. Be sure to remove the cotton balls after the bath!
3. Lather,
Rinse, Repeat
If the dog is heavy, don a back brace. Then lift the dog into the tub.
Use a lightweight spray hose that can be maneuvered with one hand. Test
the water temperature before spraying the dog, then gently get the dog
used to the temperature by spraying water on her back and shoulders.
After the dog relaxes, begin washing her head and then move gradually
toward her rear; this will prevent fleas from moving up her body and
congregating on her head and face. Lather the animal with a mild shampoo
formulated for dogs. The active ingredient should be chlorhexidine,
which is mildly antiseptic. If you must use an insecticide, use a gentle
pyrethrin-based shampoo, and be sure to follow the safety instructions
on the bottle. Oatmeal shampoos are good for dogs with itchy skin.
4. Make
Fluffy Fluffy
Scrub and rinse the dog thoroughly. Soap stays in the fur long after
it seems to be gone, so keep rinsing. When you finish, rub the dog down
thoroughly with towels. Don't put a wet dog back in her cage-it's okay
if she's just damp, especially if you have a climate-controlled facility.
If you use an automated dryer that hangs on the front of the cage, test
the temperature of the air before aiming it toward the dog, and check
on the animal at least every 15 minutes or so to make sure she's comfortable.
5. Suds Up the Puppies
Puppies have special bathing needs. Don't use an insecticidal shampoo
on a puppy unless the shampoo is formulated specifically for puppies
and the puppy actually has fleas. With a young dog, it's especially
important to use warm water and make his bathing experience pleasant,
using just the right combination of gentleness and firmness. If you
are kind and sensitive to their fears, puppies will begin to regard
their baths with pleasure rather than dread, making life more pleasant
for you, for the puppies, and eventually for their adoptive families.
Animal
Sheltering, Jan-Feb 2000 Issue
