Your dog’s relationship with water and bath time will depend a ton on its prior experiences.
Generally speaking, positive experiences will make them look forward to the next time they go swimming outdoors or when you give them a bath after a long and active day out in nature.
On the flip side, negative experiences might make them shy away from water when you start beckoning them to the tub or shower.
Bathing can be a wonderful way to build trust with your pet and strengthen your bond. It’s also a ton of fun! But only when you do it right and take your time.
In a nutshell, the more effort you as a pet owner put into making bathing a positive experience, the fewer frustrations you’ll have further down the line.
The same goes for socializing your dog, teaching them good manners, and rewarding good behavior.
If, on the other hand, you take the easy route in the present, you’re only making things harder for your future self.
So, how often should you actually bathe your dog? Well, the answer is: it depends.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) points out that bath frequency depends entirely on how much time your doggo spends in the great outdoors.
It also matters what your pet actually does outside. There’s a big difference between a breezy walk across paved park paths in good weather versus gambolling across muddy puddles when it’s pouring.
Broadly speaking, you should bathe your dog as infrequently as possible. This way, you can protect their natural oils. Moreover, you avoid drying your pet’s skin.
According to the AKC, short-haired dog breeds need to be bathed less frequently. Meanwhile, oily-coated breeds may need baths once a week.
Dog breeds with water-repellent coats with lots of natural oils should be bathed less often, just like short-haired breeds.
On the other hand, dogs that have thick double coats need fewer baths, too. However, they require plenty of brushing!
No matter what dog you have, don’t use human shampoo because it can harm their skin due to different required pH levels. Talk to your local pet shop employees or vet about the type of dog shampoo that is best for your breed.
Before you bathe your dog, brush its coat so that you get rid of all the loose hair, dirt, etc. Make sure that you’re actually dressed for the job, too! The odds are that you will end up soaking wet.
#20
