How to Wash a Dog's Head

Easy
10 - 15 Minutes
1 Day

Introduction

Velma is a cute little Scotty who loves to get into just about everything and anything. While she might look at you with eyes that seem filled to the brim with "old soul", don't be fooled. Let's face it, by the time Velma has stuck her nose in the garbage, rooted around in the dirt, and who knows what, her face isn't going to be quite so cute. If possible, you should try to include a full bath if you need to clean her up. However, there are going to be times when you just need to wash her face. 

Dog's Perspective

Velma really doesn't care how dirty or stinky her head is. Worrying about that sort of nonsense is a "human thing" as far as she is concerned. Moreover, she really isn't too fond of having water poured on her face either, making the job just that much more difficult. With a little time and patience, you should be able to wash Velma's face any time it needs cleaning. 

The Pre-Moistened Wipes Method

Effective
0 Votes
Slicker Brush
Towel
Step
1
You need these wipes
Seems like they have pre-moistened wipes for just about anything these days. They even have them just for cleaning pups like Velma's faces when they get dirty. Be sure to get wipes that are made for dogs.
Step
2
Brush the worst off
Start by bringing Velma over and using your hands, gently brush off the worst of the dirt.
Step
3
Start at the top
Start by using one of the wipes to clean the top of her head and ears.
Step
4
Gently does it
Use the wipe to work your way very gently around Velma's eyes and then the bridge of her nose.
Step
5
Final clean up
Finish up by using a wipe to clean around her nose and mouth before finishing up under her chin. Finally, brush out her hair gently and go over her head and face to make sure you got it all nice and clean.
Recommend grooming method?

The Cotton Ball Method

Effective
0 Votes
Slicker Brush
Shampoo
Towel
Step
1
Brush first
Brush Velma's face carefully to remove dirt, debris, and anything else that might be trapped in her face hair.
Step
2
Cotton balls
Using two cotton balls, place one in each ear. This is to seal the canals so that water cannot get in Velma's ears and cause a host of medical issues.
Step
3
Wash time
Using a warm wet washcloth and a bowl of water with a small amount of dog shampoo, gently wash Velma's head and face.
Step
4
Clean the smaller areas too
Be sure you get the areas around her eyes and the outer surfaces of her ears.
Step
5
Rinse time
Rinse out the washcloth under warm running water and then use it to rinse Velma's face. Be sure to rinse the washcloth frequently to make sure you get all of the soap off. Take out the cotton balls and gently dry her face with a nice soft towel.
Recommend grooming method?

Caution & Considerations

  • Never use soaps not intended for use on dogs. Human soaps and shampoos have chemicals in them that can be harmful to your dog's health.
  • Try not to allow water to get in your pup's eyes and ears as this can lead to serious medical issues.
  • Never use a blow dryer around your dog's eyes and ears as severe injury can occur.
  • Keep the soap out of your pup's eyes as it can cause irritation and possibly damage her eyes.
  • If your pup has chronic tear stains, you may want to take her to the vet for an examination.
  • If your pup's face has skin folds, be sure you clean them thoroughly to help him avoid problems like rashes, raw spots, and other skin conditions. 

Conclusion

Who could love a pup with a dirty head and face? The answer to that is simple, any dog lover can. But, when you want your pup to look her best, washing her head and face on a regular basis is the right way to make it happen. Take your time, be gentle and your pup will soon come to love having her face washed whenever it needs to be bathed. 

Success Stories and Grooming Questions

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