Bathing the dog

[Megsdad]

Hi.
We just had our last day beating this season and my cocker was jolly mucky. As I was giving her a bath it occurred to me that I might not be using the right shampoo. I'm using Johnson's 'no tears' baby shampoo (infant strength, no protein or aloe vera). What do other folk use? Also someone told me not to use a hair- dryer to dry her ears as the high pitched noise could make her gun-shy, hard mouthed and prone to ignoring the whistle. Any particular hair-dryers recommended? What do you think? ( By the way I don't have any problems with her dog food?)
Thanks
Oliver

[Judy]

Hi Oliver,
What's wrong with using the garden hose? Or shoving her in the river / pond / sea to get the mud off? Failing that it dries up and falls off on its own, just let the dog roll on the carpet, peasy and doesn't affect coat colour / texture before a show like shampoo does.

Ethel.

[trekmoor]

My dogs get a rub with a towel , I cannot remember when I last bathed a dog. A dog would need to roll in poo before I'd think about bathing it.

Wullie

[Megsdad]

Hi Oliver,
What's wrong with using the garden hose? Or shoving her in the river / pond / sea to get the mud off? Failing that it dries up and falls off on its own, just let the dog roll on the carpet, peasy and doesn't affect coat colour / texture before a show like shampoo does.

Ethel.

Gosh thanks for the rapid reply Ethel!
Unfortunately we have polished oak flooring so rolling on the carpet is not an option.
I keep a stock of bathing towels to dry her off but it seems to take AGES to dry her ears and I'm concerned about her getting ear-rot if they stay wet too long. Hence resorting to the mem-sahib's Remington dryer with the extra volume attachment.
I have hosed her down when we haven't had a hose-pipe ban but after a day beating in winter I would rather be indoors myself. As for the sea... Jolly big risk from jelly fish and electrolyte imbalance (salt poisoning!!) I feel?
Kind regards,
Oliver

[Hepe]

I bathe mine way too rarely for being indoor dogs but when the snow came i thought it was a good moment to bathe them. I evilly used some super expensive dog shampoo my daughter had forgotten here. I have to say that they've rarely smelled nicer or had shinier softer coat. So a special dog shampoo might not be such a bad idea. When showing i used to first wash the dog in Yes (dish washing stuff) which supposedly is exactly the right ph for the dog skin, beware though, it does not only remove all the dirt, it also removes all the fat in the coat protecting it and making the dog withstand rain and dirt. After that you use a good quality shampoo and of course some balsam. They turn into fluffy heavenly smelling hair balls but as i said, not really for mid season.

Helene

[Megsdad]

My dogs get a rub with a towel , I cannot remember when I last bathed a dog. A dog would need to roll in poo before I'd think about bathing it.

Wullie

Hello Trekmoor.
I've read your terribly amusing and eccentric accounts of dog training over many years and am much obliged that you've responded to my post.
One would imagine it would be an AWFULL chore for your lady wife to
move the coal out of the bath so you could bathe your dogs!
Incidentally I just obtained some Lynx Rambo Shower Gel with added testosterone. You seem to be a 'no shampoo' type of dog owner but do you think it's use on dogs could be harmful?
Thanks for your attention
Oliver

[Springfield Pointers]

but it seems to take AGES to dry her ears and I'm concerned about her getting ear-rot if they stay wet too long.

what about using a shower cap?

[Nonehpets]

A friend has a lemon cocker and hardwood floors. She acquired a large rug, chosen for the harmony of colour with her interior decor and its fluffiness. Lemon cocker now rolls on the rug to self clean and dry ears after getting muddy. Simples ...

The side benefit is it makes for funny videos to upload to one's Facebook account ...

Worried that your little snowflake may not understand what to do? that also is simples - acquire a clicker and back chain "clean your ears". A GSP can learn "clean your face" in about a week - a spoiled spanner may take a little longer on account of going deaf as a result of use of hairdryer

Hope that helps in your dilemma

Cathy

PS if I have to bathe the dog I use tea tree shampoo for dogs ...

[mustogirl]

Hi.
We just had our last day beating this season and my cocker was jolly mucky. As I was giving her a bath it occurred to me that I might not be using the right shampoo. I'm using Johnson's 'no tears' baby shampoo (infant strength, no protein or aloe vera). What do other folk use? Also someone told me not to use a hair- dryer to dry her ears as the high pitched noise could make her gun-shy, hard mouthed and prone to ignoring the whistle. Any particular hair-dryers recommended? What do you think? ( By the way I don't have any problems with her dog food?)
Thanks
Oliver

tbh I dont make a point of washing my dogs but last night my 2 were proper filthy so they got a warm shower with Tea Tree dog shampoo. I make sure the bath has a non slip matt put down otherwise they start to fret that they'll slip. The only other time i wash my dogs is my Cocker spaniel has really heavy seasons, so she gets a bath every 6 months to stop the dogs thinking she's constantly in season and cleans the feathers on her bum. She also had an ear infection about a year ago and the vet suggested (besides Canaural) that i wash her ear in Hibiscrub. But normally its the hose outside!

[Bryn]

Can't remember the last time I washed any dog dip in a river or loch and a good rub down to dry them off a bit and jobs a good'un. OK if the collies went in the slurry pit they got hosed down but the buggers ate any shyte they could find anyway so I reckoned they could clean themselves without coming to further harm. Never tried it but reckon Bryn would take a bath as a personal insult requiring removal of my fingers at the elbow in response.