How to Sanitize Dogs

Preparing instruments. You need to have things ready instead of running around looking for things while the dog is drenched. Furthermore, you should wear clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty because it will inevitably get wet. ^[6] Then, prepare at least the following: ^[7]

• Shampoo for dogs
• Snacks
• Some towels
• Place one towel over the edge of the tub to prevent water from splashing out, while the other towel is used to dry your pet.

Spread a non-slip pad on the bottom of the tub. The surface of the bathtub is often very slippery if soap is on it. To prevent your dog from slipping, you should put a towel or anti-slip pad on the bottom of the tub.

Pour warm water into the tub. Hot water can damage a dog’s skin, especially if they have short hair. Do not flush while the dog is in the tub as this can stress them out. You should spend time training your pet to get used to the sound of running water with their favorite food. Always do it slowly to avoid putting pressure on the dog and difficult for both of you.

• You can mix a little shampoo in 20 liters of lukewarm water to shorten the process.

Protect the dog in the bath. Some dogs like to run outside while bathing. If your pet behaves like this, you can buy a special leash made for dogs at a pet store. This type of rope is attached to the wall with a suction pad and holds the pet in place while bathing.

• Replace the regular collar with one that won’t stain the coat or get damaged by water.

Wet the dog’s coat thoroughly. You need to make sure the entire hair is wet before applying the shampoo. If the dog is not scared, you can use a faucet and a water pressure regulator attached to the faucet. This is quite useful with dogs with large sizes or double coats. However, if your pet is afraid of the sound of running water, you should use a cup or bucket to splash the water in the tub over their body. DO NOT splash water in the dog’s ears to avoid infection. You should only spray water up to their neck. The dog’s head will be cleaned separately (see instructions below).

Apply bath shampoo to your dog’s body. Starting at the neck, move down the sides of the body and four legs, using your fingers to spread the shampoo all the way down to the dog’s skin. The head can be left for later cleaning, and do not apply soap around the ears and eyes (unless using dry shampoo for dogs). Instead, you can use a damp cloth to wipe your dog’s head. After applying the bath oil, gently scratch the dog’s double-layer coat to distribute the bath oil evenly and be careful not to scratch in one spot for too long. You should try the practice first to see how you feel.

• Dilute the bath oil to make it easier to apply and rinse off.

Rinse off the bath oil thoroughly. If you still see dirty water or soap bubbles coming out, you need to continue rinsing as you would moisten your hair before applying the oil. However, you should note that do not use running water directly if the dog is afraid of this sound. Instead, simply use a cup of water to gently rinse off the oil.

Pat the dog dry. Use a rubber spatula or hand to brush the water out of the dog’s coat and body. Use a towel to dry as much as you can while the pet is in the bath to prevent splashing. Place a towel on your dog’s back, or hold a towel next to them to allow the dog to get rid of the water on its own. Many dogs will learn the “bath rules” and only shake themselves when you spread a towel over them to dry off the water. If your pet has a short coat or you prefer to let it dry naturally, you can skip this step.

• If your dog has two coats or long hair, you will need to use a blow dryer to dry it completely.

Dry if necessary. In case the towel cannot dry the water, you can dry it without making the dog feel too hot or dry. If the dog has long hair, you need to dry it with a comb.

• Set the dryer to cool! This step makes the drying take longer than usual, but in return the dog’s coat and skin will not be dry.
• If your dog is afraid of the sound or feeling of being in contact with the dryer, don’t force it. Instead, use a towel and walk the dog in a suitable place to let the dog’s hair dry naturally, such as in the laundry room.

Consider trimming your pet’s coat. Many dog breeds have short hair and do not require frequent trimming. However, if your dog has a thick coat, you need to trim it regularly to keep it healthy. Breeds that need regular trimming include cocker spaniels, sheepdogs, poodles, cplie, lion dogs, Pekingese, and Tang canines. ^[8]

Trim the dog’s coat after it’s dry. If you intend to trim your pet’s hair, you should carefully read the instructions that come with the clipper. Read books or watch instructional videos, or consult a professional cleaner on how to use the right pruning tools. The cutting edge should be sharp and the cutting tool should be lubricated. Blunt blades can pull pet’s hair.

• Before trimming your dog’s coat, you need to come up with a styling idea first. Read, ask questions, and watch videos to consult and get to work.

Gently immobilize the dog. Use a chain to tie them so they don’t run around. While trimming, you can place a hand under your pet’s belly to encourage them to stay in place instead of constantly fidgeting.

Use a special trimmer made for dogs. ^[9] You should invest in a high-quality trimmer. The initial amount can be quite expensive, but it will save money later on, because you will not have to spend money on professional pet care services.

• Use the trimmer blade to create the desired length of hair.
• Scissors do not have the effect of trimming the hair into shape and beauty, and there is a risk of hurting the dog if you move suddenly. You should use clippers instead of scissors.

You can safely move the blade over your pet’s body, just don’t press hard on the skin. Brush in the opposite direction of hair growth before running the trimmer in the other direction, i.e. in the direction of hair growth. Moving the trimmer against the direction of hair growth has the same effect as brushing in the opposite direction, but will have a shorter length than when using the trimmer blade. If you want to shave against the direction of hair growth, you should try on the abdomen to see if such a length is appropriate or not. Move the trimmer fixed, but slowly along the dog’s body to remove excess hair. Moving too fast will make the cut uneven. Always move the blade in the direction of hair growth unless you want to cut shorter than the standard length of the trimmer blade. Start with the neck, then move down to the shoulders, below the ears, and toward the chin, throat, and chest area. DO NOT trim the hair on the throat area or any part of the body with a narrow gap, such as the tendons on the heels, the skin under the arms, the genitals, the tip of the tail, or the anus. Then you will trim the hair on the back and sides of the dog’s body and finally the four legs.

Be careful when trimming the hair around the anus. This part can pop out, like a button, all of a sudden and you’ll accidentally cut it right. So you should anticipate this problem.

• Be careful when trimming your dog’s legs, tail, and face. These are very sensitive parts.
• Check the trimmer regularly to make sure the temperature isn’t too hot to damage your dog’s skin.
• If the blade heats up, you should stop and let it cool and/or use a cooling spray that will remove the oil from the blade causing it to heat up faster, so be prepared with extra blades. cut or wait until the temperature drops.

Reward the dog. Standing still is a real challenge! If your pet feels uncomfortable going through this process, you should let them rest for a few minutes. Praise your dog during cleaning, and reward him with treats during breaks. Do not play with pets to get them dirty again.