As any dog owner can tell you,\u00a0bathing a dog\u00a0is like entering the fray of a messy battle. You go in uncertain\u00a0and won't make it out unscathed \u2013 likely covered with soap, shed fur and a dog coat's worth of water. But with some simple tips, you can manage the whole process with relatively little damage.<\/p>\n
While there's the chance that your dog is as good-natured, sweet and bath-loving as they come, that makes your pet an outlier. For everyone else, prepare yourself.<\/p>\n
1. Pick your arena<\/b>
\nIf you're lucky enough to be able to wash your dog outdoors, don't hesitate for a second. You'll save yourself, your tub and the bathroom walls a whole lot of grief! Still, indoor baths are the norm most of the year, and the tub is usually the best bet.<\/p>\n
2. Keep tools at hand<\/b>
\nSince most of your energy will be focused on keeping your pet calm and relaxed in the tub, you don't want to be scampering around the house looking for dog, brushes, a no-slip bathmat or towels. Assemble everything you'll need ahead of time and keep it close by.<\/p>\n
3. Test the water<\/b>
\nDon't just send your poor dog into the tub without testing the water first! Too cold or too hot, neither's any good, but do err on the side of caution and stick to lukewarm rather than warm. Whatever your own preferred heat setting, it's probably too much for your pet.<\/p>\n
4. Be gentle<\/b> 5. Grab a towel \u2013 quickly!<\/b> 6. Hand over that treat<\/b> This content post is provided by the pet experts at\u00a0Hartz<\/b>.<\/p>\n
\nThe process of\u00a0washing your dog\u00a0should be more like a massage than a scrub. Let your dog acclimate to the water slowly, and get his or her coat wet bit-by-bit, avoiding anywhere around the eyes. Then\u00a0apply<\/a>\u00a0shampoo, which you can gently rub in\u00a0starting at the tail and working your\u00a0way up to the head. Be careful when rinsing so you don't get any into your dog's eyes!<\/p>\n
\nChances are, you've already suffered one or two bouts of any dog's \"quick-dry\" method at this point, but regardless, make sure you grab that towel and\u00a0start<\/a>\u00a0drying off your pet ASAP if you want to avoid further messes.<\/p>\n
\nIt might've taken a\u00a0dog treat<\/b>\u00a0or two just to get your pet into the bathroom, but don't forget to reward him or her with another snack afterward. A\u00a0job<\/a>\u00a0well done always deserves recognition! (So, yeah, why not treat yourself as well?)<\/p>\n