When your dog starts smelling like a dog, it’s time for a bath.
So how often should you figure on having this enjoyable experience? If your dog spends most of his day lying on his bed (or yours), every month or two is fine. But if he is a regular on the dog park circuit and gets into lots of underbrush and muddy puddles, every few weeks or so is probably a good idea.
The size of your dog might affect how often you need to wash. According to Chicago veterinarian Sheldon Rubin, an adviser to the American Veterinary Medical Association, large dogs might need washing only every two months. Small dogs can be bathed every two weeks, and medium-size dogs usually need a bath every four to six weeks.
Here are tips for giving your dog a bath:
* Assemble everything you’ll need — shampoo, towels, a waterproof apron (for you) — before you begin. Some pet owners use the bathtub or kitchen sink, others opt for the garden hose.
* Brush your dog before the bath, to get as much loose hair off as you can.
* Water temperature should be cooler than what you would use to wash yourself. Lukewarm is good.
* Use a shampoo formulated for dogs, not for people. Dog shampoos have a lower pH factor. Some vets prescribe special shampoos for skin conditions; take those along if you are going to a DIY facility.
* Lather and scrub all areas, using your hands. Be careful around the eyes and ears. Many self-service dog washes provide disposable ear and eye wipes.
* Feel your pet’s body for ticks, lumps and bumps. New or unusual growths should be reported to your vet.
* DIY dog-wash centers usually provide professional-grade room-temperature hair dryers rather than the heated-air type people use. If you wash your pet at home, it’s not a good idea to use your own heated-air blow dryer; its high temperatures could make your dog overheated.
* At the end, a treat might be in order — for both of you.
