How To Wash Fido

Washing your dog is usually a challenge.

But on The Early Show Friday, resident veterinarian Dr. Debbye Turner showed how to do it from start to finish. She also offered useful tidbits that can help you avoid mistakes.

BEFORE YOU GET THE DOG WET:

You want to do a little prep work ahead of starting the bathing process. Brush the dog well to get of excess hair, dead skin, objects embedded in the hair, matted hair, etc. This will also help rid the dog of dead hair and skin during the bath.

Also, clean the dog's ears with a cotton ball soaked with ear cleaner. Just flip up the dog's ear flap and wipe the exposed surface of the dog's ear. Do not drip excess cleanser down the dog's ear canal. But sure to remove as much of the wax and dirt as possible. If the inside of your dog's ear smells "funny," or if the skin is reddened, swollen or has sores, consult your veterinarian right away. Be sure to put the ear flaps back in the natural position. Try not to spray water directly into your dog's ear while bathing him or her.

CHOOSING THE BEST SHAMPOO:

There is a large variety of shampoos on the market for bathing a dog. If your dog has sensitive skin, then an oatmeal-based shampoo is a good idea. Avoid shampoos that are heavy with artificial scents and perfumes. A gentle shampoo with a tearless formula is best. Baby shampoo works quite well.

BASIC DOG WASHING TIPS:

After brushing your dog, cleaning its ears, removing any matted hair and crusty material from the eyes, etc., you should thoroughly soak the dog with water. Then pour a generous amount of shampoo along his back. Use your hands to spread the suds all over the dog's body. Be especially diligent in cleaning its feet, mouth and ears. And don't be shy — wash its rump too!

After you have lathered the entire dog, rinse it thoroughly. If you start with the lower back and work your way up, this will decrease your dog's urge to shake, keeping you and everything else from getting soaked. Be sure to rinse all the shampoo out of your dog's fur on all parts of his body. Its hair should feel squeaky clean when you've finished. You should not be able to produce any suds anywhere on his body when you rub its hair vigorously.

TIPS TO PREVENT DOGS FROM SHAKING WHEN WET:

Starting the water on the lower back and working your way forward will help. Also, if you place your hand on the dog's neck, just above his shoulder blades, this should discourage the shaking. But be forewarned, shaking is a natural doggie reflex to being wet. So the chances of it shaking at least once during the bath are pretty high. Wear a plastic apron if you don't want to get soaked.

For more tips, go to Page 2.PROTECTING EARS & EYES:

Do not pour shampoo directly on the dog's face. Use your hands to gently distribute the soap suds around the face. Avoid the eye area. Be sure to thoroughly clean the mouth and chin. This area is usually particularly dirty. When you rinse the dog's face, hold his nose down gently with one hand and let the water run off the tip of its nose. This will protect its eyes and help control excessive movement while washing his face.

MISTAKES OWNERS MAKE WHEN BATHING THEIR DOG:
It is very important to completely rinse all the shampoo off the dog. A residue of shampoo can irritate the dog's skin, cause the hair to be sticky and clumpy, and may even be irritating to the dog's stomach as he grooms himself and ingests the leftover shampoo.

HOW OFTEN DOGS NEED TO BE BATHED:

The frequency of bathing your dog really depends on the type of dog and your lifestyle. If you have a long-haired dog, then she needs grooming more often than a short-haired pooch. Plus, a dog that frolics outside, rolls in the dirt, swims in a lake, etc., certainly needs a bath more often than a couch potato pup. But it's not a good idea to bathe a dog more than once a week. Bathing washes away the natural oils that the dog's skin produces and can cause dry, flaky skin. This could lead to excessive scratching and chewing, which could lead to irritated skin and even infection.

And Biscuits and Bath dog groomers lent their expertise.