Pet Care Essentials- How to Bathe Your Dog

Dirty, smelly, dogs are simply not enjoyable to be around! This is especially true if your pet is indoors. Or, perhaps you prefer to drive your favorite pooch to the park for a game of fetch, but do not want to stink your car up along the way. What can a pet owner do to have a clean and neatly groomed dog? Professional groomers are always an option, but they can be expensive. However, most pet owners are capable of grooming their pets at home. By following a few steps on how to pick out appropriate shampoos, bathe your dog at home, and care for your dog after a bath, grooming at home can be a simple task.
Since the shampoo is the “main ingredient” when bathing your pet, it is the an appropriate place to start. Picking out the right shampoo for you dog is easy. Simply begin by finding a good quality shampoo and conditioner. Many pet stores offer a variety of shampoo brands, types, and scents. The coat type of your dog is a good indication of what kind of shampoo and conditioner you need. If your dog has dry, flaky skin, than a shampoo for sensitive skin would be a good choice. Likewise, if you own a white dog, a shampoo for white hair will make your dog look snowy, and very white. Picking out a conditioner is also important. A conditioner will help your dog’s hair stay soft, and moisturized. If you have a long haired dog, a conditioner will make brushing easier.
After a shampoo and conditioner have been picked out, it is time to bathe your dog. Start by running some water in the bathtub; make sure the water is a comfortable temperature before you place your dog in the tub. Remove your dog’s collar, and put your dog in the tub. Most dogs enjoy a bath, but a few can become anxious and try to jump out of the bathtub. To avoid this, gently, but firmly, hold onto the dog. Once the dog is in the tub, you can start rinsing him/her. An old cup works well for this job. After the dog is completely wet, start applying the shampoo. Work it into a rich lather, making sure to wash the dog’s legs, and under his/her belly. Avoid getting shampoo in the dogs eyes, and ears, as this can cause irritation. To wash the dog’s face, simply wet the hair, and apply a very small amount of shampoo. After the dog is completely lathered, rinse off the shampoo. Next, apply a small amount of conditioner, making sure you work it in well. After you have done this, rinse and dog, and take him/her out of the tub. Place a towel over the dog, and vigorously rub all parts of his/her body. As soon as the dog has been dried off, you are ready to start some after bath-care.
After bath-care is a “last but not least” process when grooming in your pet, so do not skip this step. This process can be as simple as brushing your dog (if it has long hair), or it can be a little more complex, like trimming long toe nails, and brushing your dog’s teeth. These choices depend on whether or not such tasks are necessary. If you have a long haired dog, brushing him/her will keep their hair from getting snarled. Begin brushing after the dog is towel dried. Trimming a dog’s toe nails should never be done unless you have the proper tool for trimming. This can be purchased at essentially any pet store. Also dogs that have black, or dark colored toe nails, are tricky to cut because the quick is hard to see. If this is the case with your pet, you should have an experienced person, such a vet or professional groomer, do this for you. If your dog has light colored toe nails, you can trim them yourself. Simply trim the nail being careful not to cut too close to the quick. Lastly, some pet owners choose to brush their dog’s teeth. This is only necessary if your dog has a large build up of plaque. Providing your dog with a chew toy is a simple way to avoid plaque build up, but this only works in some cases. Plaque can cause gum and tooth decay in dogs, so it is important to remove this. Pet stores often sell special tooth brushes and toothpastes for dogs. To find out how to brush your dog’s teeth, simply following the directions that come with the toothpaste.
With these few tips on how to find the proper shampoo, bathe your dog yourself, and what to do after you wash your dog, grooming your pet at home will become a breeze. By doing this yourself, you are saving money, and learning how to better care for the pets you have. So, next time you see Rover in the backyard romping through a mud puddle, simply run some bath water, set out a towel, and call him in for a bath.

Process anaylsis essay written by the Annie Girl