Bath time is not one of Gracie's favorites but believe it or not, she is really good about standing still and not jumping out of the tub. I have been bathing her myself since she was a puppy and that maybe why she is so tolerant of the tub. Don't get me wrong, it's not like I don't get soaked giving her a bath, but with her sensitive skin and easy to dry short hair, it just makes sense for me to take care of the bathing instead of going to the groomer. And, it saves me a ton of money because I usually bath her once every two weeks. (If you are looking for a great local groomer, I recommend Many Paws Pet Villa in Westport, MA)
Gracie spends a lot of her time at Many Paws Pet Villa for doggie daycare and at the beach year round. She needs to be bathed quite frequently, especially because she sleeps in my bed at night! One of the best shampoos on the market, in my opinion, for dogs is Tomlyn Oatmeal & Aloe for sensitive skin. Gracie smells great for days after-wards even if she gets wet. It works wonders on her skin and coat.
Some tips that work for bathing Gracie are:
- Place some cotton balls in their ears before the bath. Water in the ears can cause ear infections. Just don't forget to take them out after the bath.
- For long-haired dogs, brush them before and after their bath. Getting your dog brushed before makes it much easier when brushing them after-wards.
- Place a non-slip mat on the tub floor. The bottom of the tub can get slippery and you don't want your dog to get hurt.
- Gate or close the bathroom door. You don't want any messy escapes.
- Keep shampoo out of their eyes.
- Rinse their coats thoroughly. I rinse Gracie 3 or 4 times to make sure I have removed all the shampoo residue.
- Make sure your dog is dried thoroughly. Even though Gracie has short-hair, I use a microfiber towel that really helps remove all the left over moisture on her coat.
I hope these tips are helpful the next time you bath your dog.
Does anyone have any other suggestions or tips when bathing your pet? Please comment below!