I am going to give my dog a bath?

Question

Is there a way to make it easier? She is a pit-lab mix, about 45 lbs, about 1 ft and a half to her shoulder. She really hates baths but how can I make it easier on the both of us? Should I go outside and use the hose, or get warm water and pour it on her from the bath tub (i mean, does it make a difference to her?) Also, is it ok to use garnier frucits on dogs?

Also shes really dirty because we took her to the lake and she rolled in the dirt too. So I might have to wash her more than once. Is it ok to use conditioner?

i HAD dog shampoo but I ran out on m,y other dog

no im not afraid of pits...those are practicaly the only dogs ive ever had, just info so like someone doesnt tell me to put her in the sink or anything

Answer 1

1.) It is not recommed that human products be used on animals. They are generally too harsh--even for larger animals.

2.) WARM is better! Wouldn't YOU like it better? And she'll get cleaner too!

3). Difficulty containing the dog? Do you have a laundry tub that might do better containing her? That is not the be/all end/all answer though either. I had a 15 lb. itty bitty dog jump out of a laundry tub once. Maybe another person there to help?

Answer 2

I wouldn't recommend using the Garnier Fructis, if you have baby shampoo at home, or any product made for children, they are usually fine.

Lukewarm or tepid water is usually better for bathing dogs.

Usually it's easier on you and your dog if you have him up on a surface that's about waist high to you. Make sure he's on a rubber mat or towel so he'll feel secure. Some people rig up a leash holder - something with 2'x4' boards (maybe by attaching to a picnic table). Fixing up something like that allows you to use both your hands. Or, you can have someone else hold the leash while you wash him.

Overall, the best advice I can give you is to be matter-of-fact about it. Let him know that you are in charge and that it's going to happen. Don't allow him to take charge. Make the first bath very quick.

Giving him lots of love and attention as well as extra special snacks during and right after will get him to have a positive attitude toward his bath next time. Gradually increase the bathtime as needed.

Answer 3

You really should use a dog shampoo. Their skin is very different from ours. At the very least, use an unscented baby shampoo-- but dog shampoo is better.

Indoors is better. Warm is better. A bath will feel unsafe, so anything you can do to make it feel safe is smart. Here are some things I learned:
Put the bathmat down. Slipping is scary
Use warm water. Cold is shocking.
Turn off the tap and use a bucket with a cup. The sound of the water running is too loud.
Be ready with EVERYTHING... Be FAST. It's better to do a so-so job in 5 minutes than a perfect one in 15 minutes, which will drive her crazy.
Plan a nice warm, confined area for her after the bath. Like the kitchen, with a heating pad or a warm water bottle. You don't want today to be traumatic for her. She will need many baths in her life.

Aren't you afraid to piss off a Pit? I would be, but that's probably BS.

Answer 4

for mine that don't like baths, outside is usually easier. For one thing, they hate getting their feet wet the most! If you can keep from getting her feet wet, it may not be so bad. But the temp does matter. If it is warm outside and the waters not too cold you should be fine. Otherwise you might try putting warm water in a bucket and using a cup. The tub is ok too, but I have found that if I use the tub it works best if I use the shower hear the comes off and i can put it right next to their skin. Then they can't hear the noise it make (which freaks them out).

As for shampoo... I prefer using dish soap (Dawn dish detergent is the best). It cleans them really well and usually doesn't require a 2nd wash. Regular shampoo and conditioner can dry their skin out and cause itchy, flaky skin.

Answer 5

for the garnier frutis-dont use it...people's skin is more acidic then dogs-so she wont appreciate using human shampoo.

o and use oatmeal base dog shampoo (go out and buy more if u dont have!)

hose water is usually cold so she probally wouldnt appreciate that too.

either wash her in a baby pool outside or in a tub inside-i recomend not doing it alone. one person can wash the dog and the other person can keep it still with a a short leash and constant feeding of treats.

also dont make it a bath-use a shower head because there is no point in washing her indirty water.

good luck and lather rinse repeat! =]

Answer 6

No do not use garnier fructuis because dog skin is more sensitive than the human skin. They are very different also. I think the best way to wash your dog is to make a game out of it. Perhaps if your dog cooroperates with the bath then you can give him or her a nice treat. That way your dog will know to get their act together!

Answer 7

till your canines has a medical difficulty, you fairly shouldn't bathe more beneficial than once each and every 2 weeks on the most. ideally it should not be more beneficial than once each and every 4 weeks (so, once a month...besides the undeniable fact that breeds like westies or poodles or schnauzers who do not shed would do properly to be bathed each and every 2-3 weeks because the airborne dirt and mud and oil fairly construct up in the adventure that they bypass too lengthy between baths). commonplace bathing, inspite of gentle cleansing soap, oftentimes strips the oils from the canines coat and fairly dries their epidermis out that may lead them to itchy and flaky. regularly, canines with seasonal/environmental hypersensitive reactions take advantage of having a bath once a week. And there are some epidermis circumstances which will take advantage of being bathed more beneficial regularly than once a week (at the moment my hypersensitive reaction canines is getting bathed each and every 4 days because he has patches of epidermis that are threatening to grow to be contaminated and my vet would prefer to address it topically...ie bathing with medicated shampoo and conditioner...quite than placed him on antibiotics). besides the undeniable fact that, when you're bathing your canines more beneficial regularly than once a month you fairly want to be utilising a conditioner formulated for canines to boot as a very gentle shampoo.

Answer 8

Have someone help you. Try to distract her with tiny bits of treats if she struggles. It is better to wash your dog outside if the weather is allowable, since the bathtub makes it harder to manuver with a squirming dog.
I guess it is okay to use ppl shampoo on pets, as long as they don't have skin conditions...I use Tresemme on my kitty sometimes.
Don't condition, just wash twice with shampoo and really wash well. And rinse well too!!

Answer 9

Take her to a self-service grooming area-they clean up the mess and I think provide towels etc all for a small fee

Dog shampoo only-human shampoo will strip her coat of necessary oils.

Answer 10

if it's hot outside, go ahead use the hose (LIGHTLY OF COURSE), but otherwise, use the bathtub and use the shower head to kinda massage her....she just needs to get used to the water, i had a lab who was terrified of bath time, just be very calm, loving, she'll take ur lead....o yea and treats during and after the bath are always good