Labrador Retriever Dogs Blog

All dog owners should regularly bathe their pets. Remember, it is not only crucial to ensuring you have a sweet-smelling pet, but is also important for the health and well-being of your animal. Bathing a dog can be a daunting task, especially if your dog does not look upon the experience favorably. However, some simple tips may make the job easier.

Preparation

Before bathing your dog, it is wise to do a little preparation. First, ensure that you have a good quality dog shampoo, which can be obtained from all good pet stores. It’s important to use the correct shampoo, because a shampoo that is not designed for dogs will have an incorrect PH balance and can cause severe skin irritation. In addition, it is advisable to have plenty of large towels handy.

If you have a small breed of dog, it is possible to bathe him, or her, in a laundry sink, which will tend to be a less messy business. However, if you own a large dog, you will not to use the tub or, in warmer weather, a small children’s pool in the yard. Wherever you choose to bathe your pet, it is advisable to have a handheld showerhead or nozzle on your faucet.

Once you have your bathing area ready, you need to prepare your dog. The first thing you need to do is brush the dog thoroughly. This is important for two reasons: first, it will reduce the amount of loose fur that is washed down your drain, and second, if knots and tangles in the fur become wet, they will be incredibly difficult to remove. Of course, if you have a longhaired dog or a dog with a double coat, it is particularly important to brush thoroughly, but even shorthaired breeds will need a good brushing before bathing.

To reduce the possibility of ear infections, you may find it helpful to place a ball of cotton wool in each of your dog’s ears.

How to Bathe Your Dog

Once brushed, your dog should be placed in the tub, sink or outside. Begin by wetting the dog all over. Start by holding your showerhead or nozzle at the dog’s neck and work your way down the back. Then come back to the neck and go along the undercarriage of the dog and down each leg. When bathing a dog, it is a good idea to keep one hand on the animal at all times, as this will prevent him, or her, from shaking.

Next, you will need to lather the dog. Be careful not to use too much soap and remember to use more water if necessary. The dog’s head and face are a little more difficult and should be done with some care. First, turn the pressure of the faucet or shower down to the lowest possible setting. Tilt the dog’s head back and direct the water down the nose and along the cheeks. Then place the nozzle under the chin and allow the water to run down the chest. When applying shampoo to the top of the head, ears, muzzle and cheeks, it is important to be keep the soap away from the dog’s eyes.

Rinsing the Dog

When rinsing, begin with the head and follow the same pattern as before. However, pay particular attention to removing the soap from the ears. In some cases, you may need to turn the ear inside out to rinse it thoroughly, but be careful not to direct the jet into the ear canal. Once the dog’s head is thoroughly rinsed, you can increase the pressure of the water and turn to the rest of the body. Again, follow the same pattern as before, rubbing with your hands to ensure that the soap is completely gone. Areas that are particularly sensitive are the front armpits and the tummy, so ensure that these areas are not overlooked.

Drying the Dog

This can be the messy bit. The shake is a reflex, so your dog cannot help it. However, if you want to suppress the shake until you have dried the worst of the water, quickly and firmly grasp the dog by the scruff of the neck. Then, place a towel over him, or her, and rub vigorously. Depending on the thickness of your dog’s fur, you may need a second towel. Once you have dealt with the worst, you can let the dog go, but you can still expect a good shake. Additionally, it is advisable to place a large towel or an old bedspread on the floor, because dog’s love to rub themselves dry. It is possible to use a hairdryer on a dog, but ensure that your pet is not scared of the hairdryer before attempting to use it.

Remember, bathing your dog is good for the overall health of your pet; it gives you an opportunity to notice any changes in the coat or body that may be cause for concern and can provide a wonderful chance to bond with your canine companion.

Who wouldn’t be tempted to cuddle a well-groomed and clean Labrador Retriever? They are every dog owners pride. But every dog owner should always remember that grooming and cleaning is not merely to make your Labrador Retriever look good. Grooming and cleaning is important in maintaining the general health condition of your dog.

Bathing is one of the many responsibilities of a dog owner. However, bathing your dog too often is not good for his skin. The frequency of the bath depends on your dog’s breed and his type of activities. As for the Labrador Retriever, give him a bath when he is really dirty especially if he has stayed out and worked a lot. You can also use your nose to tell if your dog needs a bath. Bathing him too often than needed will strip the skin’s natural protective oil resulting to dry, itchy skin and will irritate the skin further when scratched.

If the weather is good and warm, you can bath your dog outside. Make sure to choose a place that will not turn into mud when it gets wet. If you think that bathing outside seems unappealing to your dog, wash him inside and try to use warm water. But before the bath begins, prepare everything- shampoo or conditioner, towel, comb and even dog treats or toys. Remember to use a shampoo specially formulated to work on problems such as fleas and ticks, dry itchy skin, doggy odor, abnormal shedding and others.

Start bathing your dog from the head and work towards the tail. Wash his face with wash cloth. Avoid pouring lots of water in his face to prevent it from getting inside the ears. You may also want to place cotton balls inside his ears to make sure water cannot enter. Water in the ears is not good for dogs and can cause health problems such as ear infection.

Thoroughly wet your dog with water using a pitcher or a spray nozzle. If you are using spray nozzle, make sure that the spray is not too strong. Avoid spraying directly into your dog’s face or genital. Apply dog shampoo and work from the head to the tail. Remember to read and understand the product labels carefully. While shampooing, pay particular attention to parts like rectum, between the toes, behind the ears and under the chin.

After shampoo, rinse your dog thoroughly to prevent shampoo residue that may possibly cause skin irritations. Dry your dog’s coat using towel. But be careful not to rub because coats of some breeds tangle easily.

Some dog owners think that bathing a dog is so difficult, but with the right knowledge and technique, bathing a dog is not a challenge anymore.

We tend to think one of two ways about bathing a dog. Some people think dogs don’t need to be bathed more than once a year or so, while others believe in bathing their dog every month.

While bathing is beneficial, it can cause problems if it is done too frequently.

Dogs have natural oils in their skin and fur, just like humans do. Washing too often will cause drying, leaving your dog at risk of scratching and developing sores. Keep in mind that there are some benefits to having natural oils present. For one, they provide protection from skin bacteria.

Make bathing a dog fun for you and your pet, but take care. There are certain things you must watch.

1. Protect your dog’s ears. If water and soap enter the ear canal, an infection can develop. This can be temporary but it can also cause serious damage. Infections can harm the ear drum and lead to deafness. There are familiar signs that your dog might have an ear infection. He will shake his head and you will see a constant discharge from the ears.

To ensure this doesn’t happen, gently plug your dog’s ears with cotton balls. Do not force them into the ear canal. Simply place them securely at the ear entrance to block water from entering. When the bath is over, be sure to dry the inside of the ears as some moisture is likely to gain access. Use a cloth over your finger. If you choose to use a cotton swab, be extremely careful not to enter too deeply into the canal or you could puncture the ear drum.

2. Use a proper dog shampoo as they are formulated specifically to protect your dog’s skin and fur. Human soaps can be too harsh and irritating. As well, there is the chance your dog will be allergic to the scents that are added to human products.

3. Frequency of bathing will depend on your particular dog’s breed. Longer haired dogs will require more frequent washing than short haired breeds. If you have a Spaniel or other hairy dog, schedule the baths to once every two months. Other breeds can go 6-8 months. However, if your dog spends a lot of time outside, he is likely to become dirty faster. Regulate your baths accordingly.

It’s important to start your dog off right with the bathing routine. Be patient and compassionate. Once you scare your dog, it will be more difficult bathing him in the future. Try to make it fun. Dogs love having water sprinkled on them, and running into rivers and lakes.

Set up your bath outside when possible and encourage him to run through it. Use a toy to distract him from the water. When his energy has subsided, begin the bath. You might want to put him on a leash so he can’t run away.

Be sure to collect all the equipment first: soap, conditioner, towel and some sort of bowl to pour water over him. Water running out of the hose might be too cold, however water in the bath will have warmed to a comfortable temperature.

Show your dog that bathing is something to enjoy and he will look forward to your next session with excitement.

We tend to think one of two ways about bathing a dog. Some people think dogs don’t need to be bathed more than once a year or so, while others believe in bathing their dog every month.

While bathing is beneficial, it can cause problems if it is done too frequently.

Dogs have natural oils in their skin and fur, just like humans do. Washing too often will cause drying, leaving your dog at risk of scratching and developing sores. Keep in mind that there are some benefits to having natural oils present. For one, they provide protection from skin bacteria.

Make bathing a dog fun for you and your pet, but take care. There are certain things you must watch.

1. Protect your dog’s ears. If water and soap enter the ear canal, an infection can develop. This can be temporary but it can also cause serious damage. Infections can harm the ear drum and lead to deafness. There are familiar signs that your dog might have an ear infection. He will shake his head and you will see a constant discharge from the ears.

To ensure this doesn’t happen, gently plug your dog’s ears with cotton balls. Do not force them into the ear canal. Simply place them securely at the ear entrance to block water from entering. When the bath is over, be sure to dry the inside of the ears as some moisture is likely to gain access. Use a cloth over your finger. If you choose to use a cotton swab, be extremely careful not to enter too deeply into the canal or you could puncture the ear drum.

2. Use a proper dog shampoo as they are formulated specifically to protect your dog’s skin and fur. Human soaps can be too harsh and irritating. As well, there is the chance your dog will be allergic to the scents that are added to human products.

3. Frequency of bathing will depend on your particular dog’s breed. Longer haired dogs will require more frequent washing than short haired breeds. If you have a Spaniel or other hairy dog, schedule the baths to once every two months. Other breeds can go 6-8 months. However, if your dog spends a lot of time outside, he is likely to become dirty faster. Regulate your baths accordingly.

It’s important to start your dog off right with the bathing routine. Be patient and compassionate. Once you scare your dog, it will be more difficult bathing him in the future. Try to make it fun. Dogs love having water sprinkled on them, and running into rivers and lakes.

Set up your bath outside when possible and encourage him to run through it. Use a toy to distract him from the water. When his energy has subsided, begin the bath. You might want to put him on a leash so he can’t run away.

Be sure to collect all the equipment first: soap, conditioner, towel and some sort of bowl to pour water over him. Water running out of the hose might be too cold, however water in the bath will have warmed to a comfortable temperature.

Show your dog that bathing is something to enjoy and he will look forward to your next session with excitement.

Great care should be taken when bathing you dog; his ears must be protected from the water with large cotton wool balls. If water enters the ear canals he may get an ear infection. The symptoms of an ear infection are a shaking of his head and a constant discharge from his ears.

How often you bath your dog depends on his breed. If long haired breeds are bathed too often their skin and coat will not protect the dog as well as they should. However sometimes it is unavoidable if the dog has messed its self due to illness then it would be necessary for the sake of hygiene.

Ensure that bath products used stipulate that they are suitable for dogs. Human shampoo and soap is not suitable to use on your dog. Human shampoo and soap could irritate the skin of your dog. If you use a new product be sure and read the label.

Dogs love water if you take him out to where there is river or stream let him have a swim in it. Ensure that you are organized with the lease to hand and a towel. When bathing your dog organize yourself before hand and make sure you have everything you need within reach.

As with humans if you use conditioner on your dog at bath time his coat will be easier to comb.

If you don’t clean your dogs ears properly you could damage them as they are very delicate. In order to clean your dogs ears properly you need to ;-

Use cotton wool balls in his ears at bath time to prevent water getting in his ears and causing an infection.

Every four weeks clean your dogs ears with a cotton swab, your vet may make a recommendation as to a mild cleansing agent but you could use mineral oil. Take the swab and gently clean both the inner and outer parts of the dogs ear but being careful not to push any wax into the ear, leave a little wax in the ear as this will protect the ear canals.

Clean under the ear flaps and remove any foreign objects that may be stuck in the fur around the ears.

Trim any long hair around his ears as this can cause an infection. The air circulation will be improved by trimming the hair.

Call your vet if necessary if you dog has any wounds, cuts or scratches to his ear flaps that have become infected.

Clipping your dog

Clipping a dog is an art. Skin disease can be caused by dirt accumulation in a dog’s coat. Clipping of a dogs coat or nails must be done very carefully so as not to cause any injuries.

Clipping can expose any skin complaint or parasite that your dog may have. Pet Health Parlors are available for the clipping of your dogs coat and nails. If you you’re your dog yourself take care not to cut his coat too short in the winter, also you may cause your dog injury which could cause bleeding if you clip his coat and nails too short.

If you do your own clipping sharp good quality clipping instruments are available from most pet shops remember it is not advisable to clip you dog if he is ill.