How to Bathe a Large Dog

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How to Bathe a Large Dog

Easy

20 - 30 Minutes

1 Month

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Introduction

Remember how much fun the Brady Family had bathing Tiger their pet dog? In fact, if you look at most television shows and movies that involve a scene in which a larger dog is being bathed, they never seem to have a problem. Yet when it comes to bathing your big dog, it seems much easier to just take him to the local groomer instead of dealing with it yourself.

They say knowledge is power and once you learn how to bathe your large furry friend, you may find yourself wondering why you have been wasting so much money.

Dog's Perspective

No dog truly likes to be dirty, but most do not like the idea of being bathed. There is just something about the whole process they tend not to like. For most, it is simply that being bathed is something they are not used to. Once they have been bathed a few times and realize that not only does being bathed feel good, but it leaves them spotlessly clean and feeling fresh, they may start asking you for a bath.

The Brush First Method

Effective

0 Votes

Slicker Brush

Shampoo

Dryer

Towel

Step

It starts with a brush

Before giving your dog a bath, you need to give him a thorough brushing. This will help to remove most of the mats, lots of dirt and debris, a few bugs, and who knows what else. You may want to plug his ears with a couple of cotton balls to help keep the water out.

Step

Run the bath

Run a bath for your pup. Keep the water lukewarm, anything hotter can easily burn your dog's skin. Think of the temperature in terms of the water you would use to bathe a baby.

Step

Dog meets water

Using a calm relaxing tone, have your dog step into the water. Wet him thoroughly, and using a dog shampoo, start at your pup's neck and work your way back, lifting legs as needed and ending up at his backside. Work the shampoo thoroughly into his fir getting it all the way down to his skin.

Step

And time to rinse

Rinse every inch of his body thoroughly, you must not leave any shampoo residue as it could damage his skin.

Step

Now the face

The reason we didn't say start at your pup's head and face is that you should not wash these areas like you do the rest of his body. You should use a warm wet and soapy washcloth to wash his face and head. This lets you be far more careful and get his face nice and clean.

Step

Dry time

The only thing left is to decide whether you are going to let your pup air dry, towel dry him, or use a hair dryer if he will tolerate it. Voila, one big, clean dog!

The Safe Set Up Method

Effective

0 Votes

Slicker Brush

Shampoo

Towel

Step

Set up the tub

To bathe a large dog, you will need a brush, a rubber mat for the tub, a washcloth, and either a pitcher or a removable shower heads. Pop the mat in the tub before anything gets wet, it will help keep your pup from slipping or falling.

Step

Get ready

Since you are bathing a large dog, the amount of water being splashed around can be significant. You may want to put on a bathing suit or some clothes you don't mind getting soaked.

Step

Who let the dog in?

Well actually, you called him into the bathroom, now you need to close the door to keep him in. Plug his ears with cotton balls to keep the water out. Then tell him to get in the tub, you can use a leash and collar to help guide him in. You can also give him a treat as a reward.

Step

Brush time

Go over his coat with a boar's hair brush to remove mats, tangles, dirt, debris, and anything else his coat might be hanging on to.

Step

Shampoo time

Using a pitcher, or better yet a removable showerhead, rinse your pup down with lukewarm water from the neck down. Using a top-quality vet approved shampoo, work a generous amount into every inch of your pup's coat. Work the shampoo down to his skin and massage it in. Use a washcloth to clean his face.

Step

Rinse and dry

Using the pitcher or showerhead, thoroughly rinse every inch of your dog's body from tip to tail. Even though your shampoo is vet-approved, if you leave any on his skin it could cause skin irritation. Finish up by toweling your furry friend dry and brushing his coat again.

Caution & Considerations

Always use a rubber mat in the tub for your pup's safety.
Never use shampoos or soaps made for humans, they can be toxic to dogs.
Keep the water lukewarm. Any hotter and you could seriously burn your pup's skin.
If you find any large mats, you should cut them out rather than try to rip them out as this can seriously injure your pup.
Take your time and go at a pace that keeps your pup calm and relaxed.
If he gets too excited, try using treats to help him relax, along with a nice soothing voice.
You may find it pays to have a helper when bathing large dogs.
Be sure to use cotton balls in his ears, they can keep the water and shampoo out.

Conclusion

The only hard part of bathing a large dog is convincing him to get in the tub. The rest is just like bathing any other dog, just on a much larger scale. The calmer and more relaxed you are, the more relaxed your dog is likely to be. When you are all done bathing him, drying him off, and brushing him, give him lots of praise and a nice treat or two.

How to Bathe a Large Dog

Introduction

Dog's Perspective

The Brush First Method

The Safe Set Up Method

Caution & Considerations

Conclusion

Success Stories and Grooming Questions

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