Dog'sBath

Regular grooming keeps your dog clean, healthy and manageable, as well as preventing yeast infections caused by matted hair, periodontal disease caused by uncared for teeth, ear infections from excessive buildup of wax, dirt and bacteria, etc.

This article covers basic at-home grooming and ways to make the process more pleasant for everyone involved.

How to groom your small dog  !!!

One of the advantages of owning a small dog is that they are very easy to bathe at home, though, at times can be difficult. Often small dogs are frightened by the noise and activity of a high volume pet salon. Why not save yourself the expense and your dog's nerves by following these simple steps for bathing your small dog at home?

Steps:

1. Collect the materials you will need so you will have everything close at hand. These materials generally include combs and brushes, pet shampoo, clean towels, and perhaps doggie treats. If you think about cleaning the dog's ears, then getting some cotton balls would be a good idea.                    
2. Allow your dog time to adjust to the idea of getting a bath. If you have a puppy, or a new pet, the whole process may be somewhat frightening, so take things slowly. Be ready to hand out lots of praise and a few treats to make the bath a pleasant experience for your dog. It will pay off in the long run if your pet is a happy participant, rather than frightened or resistant.
3. Groom your dog's coat before bathing to remove loose dirt, mats and snarls. Tangles in your dog's coat will be much harder to remove once his coat is wet. If you find yourself chopping away at matted fur - have them removed by a professional groomer the first time, then groom your pet more regularly to avoid matting in the future
4. Decide whether you will bathe your dog in the bath tub or kitchen sink. This is not only a question of your dog's size. It is also important to judge whether your dog is likely to remain calm and obedient during his bath. If there's any chance he might jump away from you, you should bathe your dog in a bath tub, rather than risk a fall from the kitchen sink. Another option is to take your dog with you right into the shower. You will get wet anyway so why not kill two birds with one stone! Sounds silly but it works.
5. Place either a rubber mat or a small towel on the bottom of the sink or bath tub. This will keep your pet from slipping on the wet surface, and will help him feel more comfortable.
6. Test the water temperature before beginning to wet your dog's coat. If you're using the kitchen sink, the spray hose attachment makes it easy to wet your dog down. Sprayers emit a sound that affects some dogs so you may wish to have a small plastic pitcher handy to pour water over your dog. Spray attachments are also available for your bath tub to make bathing your dog easier.
7. Use a shampoo designed specifically for pets, rather than your own personal shampoo. Quality pet shampoos take into consideration that a dog's skin has a different pH level than human skin. There are also tear-free shampoos that will not sting a dog's eyes. A great smelling conditioner is also a nice addition. Consult your veterinarian if your dog has skin irritations or other conditions. Dilute the shampoo and apply from a squeeze bottle (like a dishwashing liquid) so you can squirt the shampoo wherever you wish.
8. Avoid getting water or shampoo in your pet's eyes and ears. You can gently place a cotton ball in your pet's ears to help keep the inner ear dry. Rather than using the spray hose on your pet's face, your pet will be happier to have his face cleaned gently with a warm, wet wash cloth.
9. Rinse all shampoo out of your dog's coat thoroughly.
10. Blot up the water left in his coat by wrapping your dog in a bath towel. Change towels as needed to continue drying your dog's coat. Let his coat air dry once you have blotted up as much water as you reasonably can.
11. Blow-dry your dog's coat to get your dog dry more quickly, if your pet will tolerate this. Always use a low-temperature setting (warm or cool) to avoid inadvertently burning your dog's skin. Using a lower fan setting will undoubtedly be easier for your dog to endure. Some dog hair gets very static-y. There are sprays that limit this, help keep the hair smooth and easier to brush.
12. Praise your dog and give him a doggie treat as a reward for good behavior. He'll quickly learn that getting a bath is not a frightening experience.