Taking care of your dog is a real pleasure, but lots of the things we do to make sure that they are happy, are also keeping them healthy. A long walk in the park with a lengthy game of fetch in the middle gives your dog plenty of exercises as well as a chance to bond with you as a friend and run off any excess energy that would otherwise cause chaos in the house. 

Similarly, taking care of his coat with washes when he is particularly muddy and plenty of brushing will keep him happy and spot-on treatments such as Pet-Lock flea and tick treatment will also ensure that any fleas are dealt with quickly and effectively. 

Bath Time

Give your dog a quick brush before their bath to tease out any tangles and get rid of some of the muck. This is a good way to gently prepare your pup for his bath and is a good bathtime routine to get into as it will keep him nice and calm. 

Some dogs love to bathe, others not so much. However, if you can introduce your puppy to a pleasant bathing experience fairly early on, then they should grow into dogs who are happy to be bathed. Start by getting everything you will need together. You might want to put a towel in the tub to stop your dog from slipping about, and you will also need a towel for drying off later, some dog shampoo, a brush and some treats. 

It is easiest to use a shower head rather than a bath as you can more easily direct the water. Put your dog in the tub and then test the water temperature on your wrist. It should be about lukewarm, not too hot or cold. If this is your puppy’s first bath, avoid the head and neck and just wash his body for now. This is good advice in general unless your dog has a particularly mucky face. Never get water or shampoo in their eyes, ears or nose. You may wish to put cotton balls into your dog's ears.

Direct the water using the showerhead on a slow setting, keeping it fairly close to your dog’s body. They won’t like it if you hold the showerhead away to spray them. Wet your dog’s coat right down to the skin, which is where the cleaning really needs to happen. If you are washing their face, start here and work down the body to their legs. 

Work the shampoo into their fur, making sure that you follow the direction of growth. This will help to train the hair so that it doesn’t stand up, or so that it does, depending on your preference. Work the shampoo into a lather before testing the water temperature again and rinsing. Continue to rinse your dog with warm water until the water runs clear, and your fingers squeak against his coat.

Cuddling in a Towel

Wrap your dog in a warm, fluffy towel and rub him dry. Puppies aren’t very good at regulating their own temperature, so you need to make sure they are kept wrapped up and warm enough as soon as possible after washing. The washing process shouldn’t take more than 5 minutes for these little guys, and older dogs won’t want it to last too much longer either. 

You can use a hair dryer too just remember to switch it to the cool setting and use a low air flow. A puppy will need to be acclimated to the noise first with plenty of treats to make sure it is a good experience. Then, hold the hair dryer quite far away to avoid them getting too hot, or accidentally burning their skin. Keep the dryer moving and gently brush their coat back into place. They don’t need to be completely dry with the hair but make sure that you keep them inside where it’s warm until they are.  

Brush, Brush, Brush

There are all sorts of different types of brush you can use to give your dog a shiny coat and get rid of any remaining fleas. A rubber brush is ideal for removing dirt and any dead skin or hair from a short smooth coat. This will brighten up your dog’s fur and make him look his more handsome self. For longer hair, you are better advised to use a comb to remove knots first and then a wide-toothed comb for more general brushing. If there is any matting, you can either persevere with a gentle motion detangling the tips first and then move slowly towards the roots. 

Staying Calm and Talking Like a Hairdresser

When you go to the salon, quite often it’s a nice opportunity to have a chat with your hairdresser - where are you going on holiday? How are the kids? - you know the kind of topics they go for. Well, it seems that dogs like to be chatted up while they have their hair done too. 

Because dogs aren’t quite as into having their hair done as we are, you need to make sure that they stay calm throughout the process. This means talking them through what is happening and praising them for their good behaviour both verbally and with treats. Though your dog might not be planning an exotic holiday anytime soon, chatting with them and letting them hear how calm you are will be very reassuring and make the job much easier. 

Grooming your dog is good for his coat, good for his health and will also make sure that any fleas or ticks he has picked up recently can be dealt with soon. If you do find any fleas or ticks while you are grooming, make sure you use a spot on treatment to sort them out as soon as possible. 

Sticking to a grooming routine is usually best for your dog and giving them chance to acclimate to what is going on is always a good idea. Never just dump them in the bath and assume that will be fine. That is definitely going to result in water everywhere!