How to Bathe Your Small Breed Dog, Like a Boss

January 22, 2017February 4, 2017Terri

My dog is not a water lover. When I first got him, a bath to him was a terrifying ordeal. He didn’t like the water on him and he certainly didn’t want any of the smell good dog shampoo on him. He humors me now and allows me to give him a bath without giving any thought to it although he’d rather roll in icky smelly stuff than take a bath. He’s yet to put two + two together = he rolls in icky smelly stuff, he gets a bath. I keep his bath time simple and I follow the same steps every time. He now knows what to expect and he completely trusts me to bathe him.

I use a metal tub that I bought at a Tractor Supply Center in my area. You can buy a Behrens 7 35-Gallon Round Steel Tub on Amazon if you don’t have a TSC in your area. I pretty much live at our Tractor Supply Center. Anyhow, I put my makeshift metal tub, in the tub, (that sounds strange) & I can easily wash and rinse it out after his bath. Another reason I put it in the tub is because I can’t lift anything over 5 lbs due to failed back surgery. After his bath, I then proceed to bleach my tub out really well. I’m a neat freak and the thought of germs, well, *shudders*… Plus containing him in a small space helps make bath time a breeze.

The temperature of his bath is important. It can’t be hot and it can’t be cold. If you’re worried about trying to get a lukewarm temperature for your small breed dog, you might want to consider buying a Duckymeter, the Baby Bath Floating Duck Toy and Bath Tub Thermometer. You can put it in and when the temperature is just right, you’ll know it’s time to bathe your dog. It’s a cute bath toy plus a thermometer.

If you’ve ever tried bathing your dog and you add the dog shampoo only to get a wet dog smell, throw away the shampoo and purchase OxGord Natural Oatmeal Dog Puppy Shampoo & Conditioner 100% Natural 20 oz- Medicated Clinical Vet Formula Wash For All Pets – Made with Aloe Vera for Relieving Dry Itchy Skin. It contains oatmeal, shea butter, and aloe vera to moisturize, soothe, relieve, restore and condition. As soon as I put this shampoo on Peanut, he smells divine. It is the ONLY shampoo I use on him and the only one I will ever buy. After buying dozens of pet wash shampoos, I finally found one that I have stuck with. Try it and I know you’ll feel the same way I do, I’m that confident in this brand. It’s no wonder that it’s the #1 Best Selling Dog Shampoos Plus Conditioners on Amazon.

After you wash and rinse your dog, dry him or her with a towel. I don’t use a hair dryer because I don’t want the noise upsetting him. I rub him with a towel until he’s dry and it doesn’t take long for that to happen. This is the step my little dog loves the most. And the shine he gets as his hair dries is impressive.