Bathing

[wolfsoul]

How often do you bathe your dogs, and with what shampoo? Do you do it yourself or take your dog to a groomer?

I bath Visa once a week, every Saturday. This week she missed her bath because she went to an agility seminar on Friday and didn't come back until today -- the agility seminar was in a barn, and boy is she ever smelly and dirty. So this week her bath will be on Tuesday.

Normally I bathe her in Lavenderm by Nature's Specialties. It's a very high quality shampoo and smells so nice, especially after she goes swimming. But I bought her some Black On Black, by Kelco. Another very high quality shampoo. I haven't used it yet, but I can't wait to. It's supposed to make black dogs look even blacker. I also use Moisture Mist Conditioner by Veterinarian's Best. I add some to the bathwater and I also spray it on her every day. She hasn't had any dandruff or itching since I started using it. But the other day I bought her some Ultra Moisturizer by Kelco so that I don't have to waste so much Moisture Mist conditoner (dang expensive!). I use Filthy Animal shampoo by Kelco on her ears, and Berry Gentle shampoo by Nature's Specialities on her face and head. Oh, and I add a bit of Oatmeal shampoo by Nature's Specialties incase she has any dandruff. After her bath she gets blowdried with the high power dryer so that I can get rid of alot of undercoat and be able to see any skin conditions, parasites, etc. I also bathe her with a Bathing Beauty, this really cool bathing system that gives the dog a massage while it sprays. I've bathed dogs that have physical problems and then have the owners say that the dog was pain-free and moving well the next day.

I have to say that even though I bathe, dry, and groom several dogs every day, I enjoy it ten times better when it's Visa. It's so nice to see her afterward, all happy and fluffy and smelling so good and looking so shiny.

[Flatcoatluver]

i try to give everybody a bath every friday, but t.j's will have to wait for awhile since he has tons of open sores.

[Jessika]

With my current living situation, I can only bathe my dogs if the weather outside is warm enough. Otherwise we don't have a tub and our shower is only like, 3x3 feet so there is no way we're going to give them a bath in there without getting water EVERYWHERE.

But I bathe them myself. Charlie has been to the groomer once before though while I was working at PetCo the grooming manager gave him a free bath and brush for his birthday

[cyber-sibes]

I bathe them myself, just a couple times a year. I use a nice herbal dog shampoo. Their last bath was at the new dog wash in the pet store - very nice!!!! They have a hydro-jet that works fantastically on the huskies' double coats, and the dryer really gets the undercoat blown out-- plus, THEY do the cleanup - Ya can't beat that! I think we'll do that again.

[buckner]

Honestly, I bathe Daisy whenever she starts "smelling like a dog". You know that smell, when she smells like everything else in the house does. Usually, it's once every 2-3 weeks. It's usually on a Saturday because that's when I'm the most free, but it doesn't matter. Whenever it smells of 'DOG' when she walks into the room, I take her upstairs and draw her a bath. :P

I use 3 different shampoos. Two of them are prescriptions from the vets that are medicated, and one is an over the counter shampoo.

The one I use for her body is called Dermal-Soothe. It's an anti-itch shampoo that's supposed to soothe the entire body. I always do a quick lather of this on her feet and such. The other one is called ChlorhexiDerm (the active ingredient is Chlorhexidine Gluconate). I apply this to her paws, between her toes, on her privates, and on her belly. I let both shampoos sit for about 10 minutes total. Each foot has to stay out of the water for a good 2-3 minutes. The over the counter shampoo is changes. Just anything that is tear-free (as the two medicated ones are not allowed near her face) and that is a good brand, imo. I can't remember the brand I'm using right now, but it smells WONDERFUL.

[tricollie4me]

I voted "take my dog to the groomer's" but recently began trying to bathe Bijou myself. She doesn't much lke it, but because I know her so well, it works out okay. She tries her best to please me even when she's unhappy (she doesn't much like the washing part, but the drying and brushing is even harder on her, poor little dear!). I do want to purchase some high quality doggie shampoo, so this thread is really helpful to me! I saw some "doggie spray" whilst shopping that will help pups smell yummy in between baths, which seems nice to use on occasion!

[.sarah]

I bathe my dogs myself, and only every 2-3 months or whenever they're dirty. Labs aren't supposed to be bathed more than that or you ruin the oils in their coat. Mandy just doesn't get dirty, so I don't have do bathe her much. She's pretty much an inside dog, but she may dig once in a while and even then I just rinse her off.

[Love4BCs]

Mickey's coat is always nice and bright and shiny. From my knowledge, he's only had 3 baths in his life.

One after he was rescued from the pound by the rescue, one in March 2005 we sent him to the groomers before we took him on holiday with us, and one in August 2005 because you could see his coat starting to get a red tint to it, aka dirty.

He gets mini baths throughout the springs for mucky paws by us.

I accidently used extra whitening shampoo for dogs on him in August and his black had a blue tint to it in lighted areas..... lmao

[AllAmericanPUP]

i bath mine myself....they usually get a bath once every 2-3 months or whenever i feel that they are dirty and need one..

[CagneyDog]

use Filthy Animal shampoo by Kelco on her ears, and Berry Gentle shampoo by Nature's Specialities on her face and head.

Cagney goes to a groomer.


Just curious, Why do you use different shampoos for her body/head/ears etc?

[wolfsoul]

Just curious, Why do you use different shampoos for her body/head/ears etc?

The Filthy Animal is used on the ears because it's the best at getting rid of grease, and the ears are the greasiest place. The Berry Gentle is safer for the eyes and it smells yummy like berries. Alot of times I'll use Berry on a dog's whole body just because I think they should smell like berries lol.

[areias]

I usually do my dogs myself, every month or two. I usually use...ah I forget what its called, but its a Flea&Tick preventative that also smells like baby powder. When I worked at the kennel I would bring my dogs in..I loved bringing Casey, and using this Down and Dirty stuff. I would blow her out all pretty, and clean her up, do her ears and nails, and use some doggie deodorant. And then she would know she was gorgeous and would prance around. Its funny how they know how good they look.