How to Wash Your Dog

Here at Zen Frenz, we believe “Look good, feel good” and this is the same for your pup. A fresh bath makes a huge difference for your dog and it will make them feel fresh and rejuvenated. However, sometimes this task can be a little challenging. Whether your dog loves baths or runs the other way,  bathing your dog regularly is an important part of caring for your pet. Here are some tips and tricks to help your pet get zen!

How Often Should You Bathe Your Dog? 

Unless your pooch just spent the afternoon splashing in mud puddles, you probably don’t need to bathe your dog more than once a month. This is breed-dependent; some dogs with longer coats will require more frequent baths or even trips to a professional groomer. If you’re not sure how often to suds up your pup, check with a groomer or your vet. Giving a monthly bath is key, though.

Key Products and Tools  

Your first decision is likely choosing where you want to give your dog a bath. The size of your dog will likely influence your choice. You may be able to bathe a small dog in a kitchen sink, whereas a large dog will require more space. Some pet parents prefer a dog-specific bathtub, either a stand-alone unit or one that’s built-in at home or at a DIY dog bath facility. Using a dedicated dog bath area can keep fur and grime from clogging your family bathtub. But if you prefer to give your dog a bath in the family bathtub, that’s fine too. Just choose a place where you can safely get your dog in and out of the cleaning area. 

Then, before you turn on the faucet, make sure you have all your products and tools handy. You want to have everything you need, right where you can reach it. You don’t want to be chasing a wet dog around your home while you try to find the conditioner. Your supply list will obviously include shampoo, conditioner, and towels. You may also want a non-slip bath mat and an eye wash just in case. 

Pick the Proper Shampoo and Conditioner 

To give your dog a good bath, you’ll want to start with the right products. We recommend using Zen Frenz Shampoo. It’s all natural and made with Calming Ingredients such as oatmeal, lavender, and chamomile. It helps relieve stress and anxiety while protecting skin and coat and soothing itchy skin. 

If you’re bathing a puppy, puppy-specific shampoo can be a good idea. The pH of puppy shampoo matches the pH of a dog’s eyes, meaning it won’t irritate the dog’s eyes as much if some gets into that area.

After shampooing your dog, putting on a conditioner is the next important step. You always want to follow up when you're grooming at home with a conditioner because when you use your shampoo you strip a lot of the natural oils out of the skin and out of the hair. So, your conditioner rehydrates the skin as well as closes up all the cells on the outside part of the hair shaft itself.

Proper Dog Washing Technique 

 When you have chosen the right place and have the right products ready to use, the real fun begins. Here's the bathing process our pros recommend:

1. Coax or place your dog in the tub or wash station. Treats are a great way to get the process off to a positive start! 
2. Dilute the shampoo with water. Try adding some to a bowl full of water, or put the shampoo in a dispenser that contains water. Diluting shampoo helps it suds up and spread better. Most shampoo is thick and concentrated, and adding water can make it easier to use.
3. Wet your dog using warm water. Checking the temperature with your hand is just fine.
4. Shampoo the dog twice. The first time, the shampoo binds with the dirt and helps get rid of it. The second go-around, you’re really washing the skin and pulling out all the remaining dirt and oil in the hair. Easton recommends a loofah sponge to help spread around the shampoo. Be sure to not overlook places like the pads of the feet, armpits, and bellies. Above all, make it an enjoyable experience. You can use your hands to really massage the whole dog. And if you're doing that, and you're using warm water and the dog is somewhere warm, it should be a fun experience for the dog.
5. Use conditioner. Leave it on for a few minutes and then rinse away.
6. Rinse well until there is no more product on the fur. You want to scrub them really well, but you also want to make sure that all of the soap is out. That's probably the most important thing. If you don't get all the soap out, then the soap will stay on the skin and irritate it. It’s worse than not giving them a bath.

What to Do Post-Bath 

First, towel-dry your dog as best you can. Then, use either a dog-specific hairdryer or a human one on a medium or cool setting. We recommend brushing your dog as they dry. You also could air-dry your dog, as long as he doesn’t get chills or shiver too much. 

If you’re air-drying your dog, then every 10 or 15 minutes run a brush through them as they're drying and that'll help prevent mats or help separate mats if they have them.

Your reward for bath time: A dog that looks and smells fresh. And the knowledge that you’ve done something nice for your pooch’s health and handsomeness. Their reward for bath time: quality time with their owner and maybe a treat at the end for their hard work. Try our Zen Frenz Peanut Butter or Zen Bites today!

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