Everyone loves their furry friend and would do anything to keep them happy and healthy. They are also known to roll in things or run through things they’re not supposed to, making them stinky and dirty. The following will give clear instruction on how to clean a dog’s fur.

Supplies

Tub or Shower

Brush

Shampoo

Towel

Hair Drier

Step 1: Analysis

The first step is analyzing the dog’s coat. Do they have thin, short, straight fur? Or do they have long, curly, coarse hair? If he has a long, curly haired coat, there will have a little extra work to do. The best combs for curly haired pooches will be the Furminator. The best shampoo and conditioner to use is Tropiclean SPA products.

Step 2: Brushing

To start the bath, get the dog

comfortably positioned in a tub or shower. Start by combing his fur from ears to toes. If he has a longer hair or curly hair, really comb through around the ears. Gently hold the top of the ear up, and comb the hair at the base of the ear. This is where most matts occur with longer haired dogs. Matts are clumps of hair that get knotted together when the hair does not get brushed correctly. These matts start at the base of the hair, so they must be removed. If matts get wet, they can collect bacteria and become infected. Continue brushing from ears to the tail, down to the feet. These motions should go in the direction that the hair grows. This will change along the dog's body. Any spots with long hair, start brushing at the end of the hair, and work your way to the base of the hair. Once all the knots are out of the pet’s coat, start wetting him down.

Step 3: Wetting

Use

the cup or nozzle to wet him down with warm water. Be sure to get the entire fur wet, even the belly and groin area. Once he is completely wet, the fun can begin!

Step 4: Shampooing

Start by filling a palm with shampoo. Start with the back, massaging in the shampoo to the belly. Move down to the base of the tail, and the back sides of the rear legs. Be sure to not miss between the legs and under the legs. If the dog has a long, furry tail, be sure to massage the shampoo in from the base of the tail to the end of the tail. At this point, more shampoo may be needed. Massage this shampoo in at the base of the ears, to the shoulders, chest, and down to the front feet. Use a tiny bit of shampoo to massage the top of the head, around the nose and chin. Be careful not to get it in the eyes, nose, or mouth of the dog. Scrub the pup’s feet with the shampoo, since this will be probably the dirtiest part of him.

Step 5: Rinsing

Now that the dog is all bubbled up, it is time to rinse it

all out. Gently rinse, starting with the top of the head. Tilt his chin up to keep water and shampoo out of his eyes. While rinsing, use one hand to administer the water, and the other to help guide the shampoo out of the hair. Be extremely diligent about getting all of the shampoo out of the dog’s fur. Shampoo left in the fur will result in dry, itchy, and irritated skin. Once all of the shampoo is rinsed out, double check the fur by using hands and fingers to feel for any shampoo residue.

Bathing a Dog - Step #5
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Step 6: Drying

The next step in this process is to dry off the dog. Start by squeezing the excess water off his neck, back, belly, legs, and tail. Be gentle to not pinch him. Then take the towels that were set out and unfold one. Drape the towel over the dog’s head. Gently rub the fur with towel from head to toe. Move the towel in directions that do not tangle the fur. Pat the fur dry. Once the fur is towel dried, brush through the fur to get out any tangles. Now, plug in the hair dryer, and turn it on a low heat. Hold the dryer approximately eight-to-ten inches away from his fur. Do not get too close, or the skin can burn. Move the dryer in a sweeping, side to side motion. Start by the ears and neck, then work down the spine to the tail. Once the back is dry, then work down to the belly and legs. This step will take time. It is important to be patient

Step 7: Brushing (2)

Brush out the hair one more time to get all the tangles that may have formed during the drying process.

Step 8: Tips

Bathing a dog should only occur once every few months. Doing more frequently may result in dry, itchy, irritated skin. Use wipes or sprays to keep him looking and smelling fresh without damaging the skin.