At-Home Bathing Tips
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While it’s ideal to bring your dog to a professional groomer once a month, there are many circumstances that may prevent you from doing so. Sometimes life just throws a curveball - like Bailey once again nose-diving into a mud patch while chasing a squirrel… 5 days after his groom.
When I began my grooming career 9 years ago, I started out grooming in-home. I had all of my tools with me and I had to be creative with whatever set-up a client had available to me. Over the 2 years I traveled, I picked up a lot of tips, tricks, and tools that helped make my job easier. I have compiled my favorite tips and tricks here for you hoping to make your at-home bath a little easier for you and your pups.
What you absolutely need:
Shampoo
Conditioner
Either a water jug or a hosed faucet
Towel
Brush
Comb
Cotton Balls
What will elevate your bath experience:
Choosing a shampoo and conditioner:
There are many shampoos and conditioners on the market! How do you know which one to choose? First, think about if your dog has any skin issues or allergies. If they have none, you’re safer to experiment with what feels right for you in terms of reviews and scent. If your dog has skin issues, talk to your veterinarian because they will be able to prescribe a medicated shampoo specific to your dog’s needs. If your dog has a grain allergy, pass on anything made with oatmeal. Likewise, if they have many outdoor allergies stick to a hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner.
Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe
Earthbath Shed Control
Earthbath HypoAllergenic
Pro Tip: Don’t skip the conditioner! Shampoo does a great job of stripping the hair and skin of dirt, oils, and dander, but it leaves the hair cuticles open. Conditioner closes the cuticles, smooths the hair shafts and adds moisture back into the hair and skin. This is especially important if you give your dog frequent baths to avoid drying out the skin.
Which brush and comb should you use for your pup’s coat type?
Check out Brush and Comb Recommendations to find out! If you’re still unsure, ask your groomer his or her opinion. If your dog has been to True Vibes Unleashed before you can contact us and we’ll be happy to help.
Step By Step Basic Bath Instructions
Step One: Brush
Now that you have all of your tools within arms reach, we’re ready to begin. Start by using the brush that is best for your pup to loosen any hair, dirt, dander, and tangles. Doing this step will help the shampoo and conditioner reach the skin and cut drying time. It will also prevent matting afterwards. Using a leave-in spray conditioner will help with this step.
Step Two: Cotton Balls
Take a cotton ball and pull apart a piece that is small enough to fit the entrance of the ear canal, but large enough that you can see it. Roll it between your fingers and fit it snugly at the entrance. Doing this will prevent ear infections from water entering the ear canal and it will also help block the sound of a dryer if you use one.
Step Three: Bathe
Use a water temperature that is comfortable for your dog. Some dogs like warmer water while others prefer cooler water. Experiment with temperature until your pup seems as comfortable as they can be.
Wet the entire coat and use the recommended amount of shampoo on the bottle. Start at the shoulders and smooth the shampoo back towards the tail and down the legs. If you have a short-haired dog, you can scrub back and forth. If you have a dog with long hair, work in one direction to prevent mats. While the body is sitting in shampoo, work gently around the head. If your dog is giving you a hard time using your fingers, try a washcloth or cotton ball. Give them a little face massage to help relax them while the shampoo sits and draws out all that dirt for a few minutes.
Rinse the body with your hose or water jug. Be mindful around the face and try to reduce the water pressure. Point their nose up and gently rinse toward their eyes. Repeat again with shampoo if desired, then repeat again with conditioner. If your dog has any tangles, it may be easier now to work them out while conditioner is in the coat.
Spend time making sure everything is rinsed out. Leaving product in the coat can cause skin irritation and infection. Anytime they shake a cotton ball out, replace it.
Step Four: Dry
If you have a long-haired dog, avoid vigorously rubbing a towel back and forth even if they love this part! The back and forth motion could cause matting. Instead, wrap them in the towel and blot up the water by pressing your hands gently into their body. If you have a short, sheddy dog…go crazy! The back and forth motion will help coax out shed. If you don’t plan on using a hair dryer, allow them to air dry with leave-in conditioner.
Pro Tip: If you can, try to dry them with a hair dryer on a low heat setting. Leaving the hair and skin wet for a long period of time could cause a skin infection or hot spots.
Step Five: Brush Again
Once your pup is all dry, brush and comb them. Don’t forget to remove the cotton balls!
For The Avid At-Home Bather
If you spend a lot of time bathing your pup at home, these tools may help make your experience faster and easier.
An apron will help keep you and your clothes dry while you bathe your pets.
This was my favorite tool when I groomed in home. It keeps dogs safely in the tub so I could focus on making sure they were clean.
These are good for dogs who need a little more enticing to stay in the bathtub, especially during drying.
Pet hair dryers are much more powerful than human hair dryers and can dry the hair much faster. The force of the air knocks away water and fur, helping with deshedding. Use caution when using these as many dogs can be apprehensive of them. Keeping cotton balls in the ears, giving high-value treats, or using a happy hoodie can help keep them calm during drying.
Using a hose is much easier than a jug and allows you to rinse underneath the dog easier. If you don’t have a hose, these attachments can be added to a kitchen or utility sink. There are wider ones available for tub faucets as well.
Happy Hoodies are like a sweatband for a dog’s head. It covers their ears and applies gentle, calming pressure. When used with cotton balls in the ears, this makes a great sound barrier for dryers and helps dry the ears at the same time. Some dogs don’t like how this feels on their head and will try to take it off, so gauge if they might be open to something like this by tying a shirt around their head.
A grooming table makes at-home maintenance so much easier. It lifts the dog off the floor, saving your back. Because the dog is on the table and restrained with a loop, they are much less likely to move around. Exercise caution while using one - never walk away from your dog unattended on the table. The loop should be high enough to prevent them from lowering their head to the table, but low enough for a little slack. All of your tools should be within reach before placing your dog on the table. When used properly, a table will make brushing, drying, and nail trimming easier for all involved.
