When giving your dog a bath,there are lots ofthings to remember.

· Gather your supplies BEFORE taking the dog near the water

· ALWAYS test the water temperature, using your wrist or elbow.

· If you have aMassiveor very nervous animal, get some help if possible.

· Brush your dog BEFORE the bath, if possible, to remove small debris (dirt, twigs, grass or sand), and to remove any small tangles in the fur.

· Often pets are afraid of the loud noise of the water coming from the faucet, so either fill the tub and have it ready, or have the dog in the room with you (with the door closed) as you fill it, to get him used to the noise, if he’s a calm animal.

· Bathe your dog if he’s very dirty, or has something on him, but not too often, as it can dry his skin, or cause redness. Once a month or as often as once a week, is usually sufficient.

· Be prepared to spend anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours on your pet’s bath (depending on how well he does in the tub, how thick his fur is, how matted he may be, that you may have to slowly cut some fur to get rid of the mats and tangles).

· I speak to my dog, in a soothing, soft voice as I bathe him, to keep him calm and relaxed. Even though he doesn’t like being bathed, he’s much happier when he is done with his bath, and excited about being clean. My dog will bark and play for hours after his bath, but your dog may end up being a bit annoyed and just want to go lie down for some time after the bath. Like humans, they’ve different temperaments, so pay attention to how your dog acts, and just remember, that in most cases, being clean will not hurt him, and you will certainly be happier that he smells nice.

Supplies to have in the room and nearby, before putting the dog in the water.

· Shampoo (human shampoos can cause itchy skin, soreness, or dandruff). It is best to use a mild pet shampoo, and if your pet has dry skin, use a shampoo with oatmeal or other moisturizers in it.

· Light conditioner (optional) Use if your pet has dry skin, or if you want the hair to be easier to brush later.

· Waterproof collar, (optional) to hold if he wants to jump from the tub, especially helpful when bathing the dog without assistance.

· Washcloth (an old, soft one is best, to wash the face, ears, or even to rub the entire body with, but for a dog with longer hair, fingers work best, and do NOT rub in circles, as it increases tangles).

· Cotton