How often should I bathe my dog?
How often a dog should be bathed is different for each breed. Breeds prone to skin conditions, such as Cocker Spaniels, benefit from regular bathing about every six weeks. Double–coated breeds only need bathing about 3 or 4 times a year. Bathing a dog with an undercoat more often than this will cause the coat to soften and reduce the coat’s isolative and waterproofing qualities.

What kind of shampoo should I use?
That depends on your pet’s coat and any specific needs you have, like moisturizing the skin. Always use a shampoo specially formulated for dogs. Human shampoos are harsher and are formulated with a different pH than what a dog needs.

What should your bathing session consist of?
Gather all supplies so that they are within arm’s reach, everything you need should be right next to the bath. Placing a rubber non-slip mat on the bottom of the tub keeps your dog from slipping around on a slick surface and will put him more at ease. Pets can get very nervous if they lose their footing, and they may try to jump out.

Protect your pet’s ears
Place one or two cotton balls in each ear as a barrier should any water accidentally get in the ear canal. If the pet has floppy ears, press the ear leather against the ear to help keep the water from soaking the cotton. If the pet’s ears stand up, cup your hand over the opening of the ear while wetting and rinsing.

Protect your pet’s eye
A drop of mineral oil in your pet’s eyes prior to bathing will form a thin coating over the eyeball to help keep soaps and chemicals from irritating the eyes. A tiny drop in the corner of each eye is all you need to provide a barrier against irritants. Mineral oil is not harmful to the pet’s eyes.

Properly lift your dog to avoid injury
If you need to lift your dog into a tub, avoid possible injury to both you and your dog by using proper lifting techniques.

Place one arm under the chest in front of the dog’s front legs, and place the other arm behind the rear legs, just under the tail. Keep your upper body upright and lift with your legs, not your back.If your dog is heavy, always ask for help.

The person in front places one arm under the chest in front of the dog’s front legs, and the other arm under the chest, just behind the front legs. The other person places one arm behind the rear legs, just under the tail, and their other arm is placed under the dog’s body, just in front of the rear legs. Both people stand up at the same time, remembering to lift with the legs, not the back.