With muddy walks common around this time of the year, dog bathing is essential. Without bath time, your pooch is at risk of spreading muck all around the house.

Washing your dog can sometimes be a challenge though. They don’t always want to play ball, so to speak.

In this post, we take a look at some do’s and don’ts for bathing your dog and how to get it right, without stress.

Do brush your dog first

Generally, it’s a good idea to brush your dog before they take a bath. If their fur is matted, it’ll hold on to water, making it difficult to get all the muck out once they start bathing.

To get rid of matted sections, you’ll need a proper dog grooming comb, suitable for the type of fur that your dog has. You can pick these up from pet stores. If you struggle to comb out matted areas, then massage them first with products designed to reduce tangles and knots.

Don’t forget to reward your dog

Whenever you bathe your dog, make sure that you reward them at the same time. Pet them, play with them, give them a treat or praise them for being such a good pooch. The more positive reinforcement you can give them, the better. Eventually, you should get to the point where your dog appears calm and relaxed in the tub, even though they might fight you, to begin with.

Do use lukewarm water

While you might like your showers hot, dogs prefer lukewarm water. If it’s too hot, it is uncomfortable and may burn them.

Run the water at the same temperature as you would a human baby. When you put your hand in the water, it shouldn’t feel hot or cold, but about right. As long as it is below around 45 degrees celsius, it should be fine for your pooch.

Don’t forget to rinse

Rinsing down a dog can take some time, but you need to do it thoroughly, particularly if you use dog shampoo. Rinse and then rinse again to make sure that you remove all of the suds.

Do calm your dog

Trying to get a fearful, anxious or hyperactive dog to take a bath is just about impossible. You’re fighting them every step of the way.

However, as an owner, you can calm your dog. Natural supplements from Pet Remedy help to reduce stress, making them more amenable to bath time.

Do use a doggy tub

While you can put your dog in the bath, you might have better luck with a doggy-sized tub that feels less intimidating. You can put them in a makeshift washing up tub or a sink, or you can buy ready-made products for dog bathing from the store. Some are collapsible, allowing you to fold them away once you’re done with them.