One of the features that can attract many people to the bichon frise is that they do not shed. Not only is it nice to not have to clean up dog hair around the house, but this also makes them good dogs for those who suffer from dog allergies. At the same time, the lack of shedding requires a higher level of maintenance and care. In this article we will look at one thing that can make your puppy's life much easier and healthier: regular washing and cleaning.

One thing that these dogs require is regular grooming every four to six weeks. This should be a mainstay in your schedule and something that you plan for on a monthly basis. When your puppy comes home from the groomer he/she will look wonderful and clean. The best thing you can do is help maintain that look between grooming sessions.

In general, there are certain things you should do on a daily basis and others that you should do on a weekly basis. Keeping a regular schedule with these grooming and cleaning regimens will help keep both you and your dog happy.

The first thing you should do on a regular basis is brush through your dog's hair. Even if you decide to go with a shave-down at the groomer, a daily brushing will break up knots and snarls and help prevent new ones from forming. Doing this is easy and only takes about five minutes. It is best to sit your dog on your lap and simply brush through with a soft-tipped brush. You should brush in the direction of hair growth and not against it (usually this is from head to tail). Repeat this daily for a healthy and clean coat.

On a weekly basis you should give your puppy a full bathing. What follows is the bathing process I use, and I highly recommend.

The first thing you should do, even before filing the bath tub with water, is inspect the hair around your bichon's eyes. Excessive hair around the eyes is a main cause of the eye infections that bichons are notorious for having. If the hair is beginning to cover the eyes gently cut it back with scissors.

Once you have trimmed around the eyes you can begin to fill the tub with warm (not hot) water, and prepare your puppy for his bath. Place the dog in the tub and allow him to get used to the water. The best way to do this is to use a bowl or pitcher to gently pour water over him.

After you have thoroughly wetted him down, begin to rub your dog shampoo in. The brand you use is up to you, but I recommend Synergy Groomer's Blend Pet Shampoo for Ultra White Dogs. Gently massage it in and make sure to cover from head to tail.

Finally, rinse your dog by again using the bowl or pitcher to pour water over him. Do not try to immerse your dog in the water. He will most likely hate the experience and will dread it every time you try to bathe him. Gently rinse with the bowl and wash away soap residue. Once clean you should then towel dry and brush through the coat. This will prevent any matting or knotting and will ensure a clean, smooth finish.

This whole process takes about thirty minutes and should be done once a week. It is important for keeping your dog clean and healthy, and will result in much better cuts next time he goes to the groomer!