It may be time to bathe your dog when you begin to changes in his physical appearance. Some signs that a bath is in order are like when his fur coat has changed color or when he has a bad odor emanating from him. It may be an enjoyable experience for both you and your dog. The following are some tips that you could use on how to clean your dog especially if you are a first time dog owner.

The first thing to do would be to make time to visit a veterinarian. This is especially important because you need to be informed on your pets breed and the best shampoo type that would suit him. Different breeds need baths differently; some may need it often while some can survive a few days without one. Another criterion to determine whether your dog needs a bath or not would be to consider his level of playfulness and the amount of time he spends outdoors. Furthermore, dogs with smoother coats need bath less frequently as compared to those that have rough coats. However as much as hygiene is emphasized, too much bathing of your dog may strip his coat of vital oils and leave him dry.

The next thing to do would be to arrange and prepare the area where you are going to wash your dog. The most suitable areas are preferably the bathtub (if you don’t mind sharing with your pooch) or outside in the garden. This is because things may get messy and you’ll both end being soaked most of the time.

There are a number of items that you need to have with you before you undertake the task of washing your dog; a dog shampoo that has been approved of by a vet, a brush and comb, cotton balls and mineral oil, sponge, towels depending on the size of your dog, a brush with soft bristles to use in between his toes and a leash to hold him steady especially if he’s not fond of taking baths.

It is advisable to comb or brush your dog’s fur before the bath as this tends to get matted while bathing and will be a hard task to remove. It would also be unfair to wash your dog outside if the weather is extremely cold. In relation to this, puppies are required to take a bath after they turn four weeks old.

The water level in the tub should reach the dog’s knees and the cotton balls should be placed in his ears to prevent water from getting in. Wet his coat and lather it. Thoroughly scrub him then rinse. Dry him off with the towels then proceed to comb his coat.