How Often Do You Bath Your Dog??

**apbtmom76** · 01-05-2010, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by kittenwhiskerz

I have a black Belgian Shepherd with long, fine hair and he won't let us groom him, so Smokey goes to the groomer about every two months.
My mexi-mutt Katie is so little and shorthaired, I can just spot clean her. LOL!

lol kittenwhiskerz, I can understand that and spot cleaning, how would you do that?? Is that like spitting on your tumb to wipe your son's mouth off, cause he ate choclate donuts for breakfast, lol

**StaffyDaddy** · 01-05-2010, 01:43 PM

Back nails trimmed once a month (heck they hardly grow cuz of our walks)

front nails done every week

Tooth brushing every 3rd day or so

And a SHOWER every 2 weeks. Chino hates baths. But he loves the shower LOL

And I use very gentle shampoo to keep his skin moist

**apbtmom76** · 01-05-2010, 01:52 PM

thanks Oz, good health is so very important, I have never brushed any of my dogs teeth but they chew on enough stuff that even the vet has told me they don't need their teeth brushed, lol

**kokopup** · 01-05-2010, 02:06 PM

Koko is a Lab/Golden mix with hair length like a golden. She tends to get dry flakey skin, on her back, in the late summer into the fall. I have a special shampoo that she has to be bathed in about every two weeks. I usually get her in the shower with me in the cool weather and I bath her outside in the summer. She hates the word "shower" and if I mention, "it is time for a shower", she runs off and hides. I don't know why because she is a water dog and loves to swim.

**MonicanHonda** · 01-05-2010, 02:40 PM

I have heard dalmatians shouldn't be washed more than two times a year because of thin fur and the use of body oils to make their fur clean. They are naturally clean dogs that shouldn't smell. I bathed Honda maybe twice a year. I bathe Delta when she gets dirty, but once she's older, only 2 times a year. I have already seen the negatives of washing her too much. Lol She has dry flakies on her back and sometimes will itch for awhile after baths. It dries her skin out. I now use a conditioner because I hear it's supposed to help sooth their skin. And a moisturizing shampoo.

**Candy317** · 01-05-2010, 02:54 PM

I try to do the once every two weeks, some weeks I get lazy and I don't and other times if they NEED a bath from rolling in the mud or whatever the case, they'll get it. Sometimes I take them to the groomer.

**dixieland** · 01-05-2010, 03:38 PM

Once a month usually for me.They never really get stinky.Normally I give them baths just to help knock dirt and grass off from rolling around outside.

**Bea** · 01-23-2010, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by kokopup

Koko is a Lab/Golden mix with hair length like a golden. She tends to get dry flakey skin, on her back, in the late summer into the fall. I have a special shampoo that she has to be bathed in about every two weeks. I usually get her in the shower with me in the cool weather and I bath her outside in the summer. She hates the word "shower" and if I mention, "it is time for a shower", she runs off and hides. I don't know why because she is a water dog and loves to swim.

Hi, I think the flakes come from not getting rid off her undercoat, it is choking the skin. Have you got a rake? and a slicker brush? and a comb for the finer details like front of legs, feet, face.
I own 4 Golden Retrievers and never wash them in any soap! I brush and rake them real good, then we go for a swim in the sea and then I rinse with conditioner, good rub down and another brush, - done. Never have any smelly dogs or skin problems. Shampoos are simply not needed, invented by someone that wants money!
However the special shampoos for skin problems are great value, like the Malaseb from Dermacare. But, do only use them if you really have too, as they do destroy the luster/oils in the dogs coat aswell.

For the clipping variety, every six weeks at the groomer, because of clipping. Otherwise they only need to be brushed and combed thoroughly. Too many little white dogs have skin problems from a too enthusiastic mummy! And funny enough, they spend all that time washing their dog, but they have never time to brush and comb!
Usually a simple mix of conditioner and warm water with a good rub down and a clean towel, will clean any pet!
I would also recommend some essential oils, Omega 3, 6, + 9, daily one capsule or 1 teaspoon of Flaxseed oil. Also 1 teaspoon of Brewers yeast (Vit B, available in powder form, healt store. And fresh fruit, so your dog can make is own Vitamin C!! Coupled with fresh raw meat, and bones, and green leafy vegetables. See this website pet-affair.com.au

**kokopup** · 01-24-2010, 12:00 PM

In response to Bea

I have found lately that her flaking issues have been eliminated from going to a grain free diet. I believe corn is the main culprit in her skin issues. I have only recently invested in a comb to remove her undercoat. Her coat is so thick and long it is very hard to effectively remove the the undercoat. Last year I gave her a lab cut thinking it would help her stay cool. i believe the short coat actually made her hotter, so this year I did not cut her coat. koko is a large 100 ibs ( 45 kg) but because of her thick long coat people are constantly commenting on how big she is. I just tell them they should see her wet because she is really lean.

Being the owner of Golden''s what is your opinion on giving short cuts to your dogs. People infer that I'm abusive because she has such a long coat. Our typical summer high is 95 f (35 C), so the weather is higher than her bred is used to. When we are having our coldest weather is when she really comes alive. She would go swimming on a 32 degree f (0 degree) day. In the summer even in the air conditioned house she is either on a AC vent, or lying on cool tile floors. I really think though that she was cooler this year with her long hair.