Dog washing can be just as intimidating for your dog as it is for you. But, once the dog begins to smell, or he has tangles and mats, it’s time to bite the 
bullet.
Making sure your dog gets a good bath can be a daunting experience, especially if the dog happens to have a real aversion to baths and weighs almost, or as much, as you do. But, dog washing doesn’t have to be a harrowing experience and there are many ways to make it almost pleasant, both for yourself and the dog.
A Good Dog Washing Requires A Good Brushing
Be sure to brush your dog’s coat before you dunk him into the water. Brushing helps to remove hair, grass, twigs and mats that might have collected on your dog and makes the dog washing go much smoother. If you don’t perform this pre-washing maintenance, matting might occur when the dog gets wet.
If brushing doesn’t resolve problem areas, you may need to use clippers to remove it. Then, after all that is done and you’ve assembled all the supplies you need, finding the dog is the next step. Pooches have a way of knowing when they’re about to be washed and may become adept at hiding.
Some doggies may be especially difficult to hold on to when you place them in the bath. That’s when a partner comes in handy to hold the towel, pass the shampoo or to keep the dog tethered. A sprayer is nice to have so you can be sure you’re getting the entire soap residue off the dog. If you don’t, the dog may develop itching or dry skin problems.
After the dog washing, get ready for the big ‘shake.’ Your dog’s natural instinct is to shake the water off, so you might want to close the shower door and let him before you begin to towel dry him.Dogs love the part after the bath where you wrap him in the towel and rub him all over. Some dogs don’t mind hair dryers to hurry the process along –
but others will react almost violently to having a noisy machine near them.
Some dogs need baths more than others. Those dogs (like water dogs) who spend a great deal of time outdoors and that have extra oily skin may need more baths than a short hair dogs who almost never leave the house.
Dog Washing Alternatives
As an alternative to washing your pooch at home dog washing venues have popped up all over, giving owners a choice about whether to take their pooches to an expensive groomer for their grooming needs or use a safe and affordable doggie “laundry-mat.” These one-stop, self-serve dog washing areas are equipped with easy to use equipment and most even supply shampoo. So if you don’t have the proper facilities at home…besides the bath tub…this might be an option for you. Especially if you have a large dog.
You and your dog will definitely enjoy the aftermath of a good dog washing as a clean, well groomed dog is a happy dog.