Q&A for How to Wash a Dog

It's best to avoid the 90 minutes or so immediately after eating. Although the risk is small, if the dog wriggled and jumped around during bathing, if his stomach is full there is a greater risk of causing the stomach to twist and inducing a serious condition called bloat.

Bathing is not a great strategy as the fleas only hop on the dog to feed, which means although some will drown during the washing, most live on in the dog's bedding or the soft furnishings. You are best advised to use one of the many excellent prescription products that kill fleas, and if the infestation is severe, use a product to kill flea larvae in the environment.

You can use a toothbrush with some dog shampoo on it. Make sure to stay clear of the dog's eyes, mouth, and nostrils.

Play with her while giving a bath, put waterproof toys in with her and give her some of her favorite treats.

You can get them anytime you want, but it's always good to be prepared ahead of time if you can. Obviously you can't wait until the bath is over since you will need to use them in the bath.

Every time she gets out, get a treat and put it a little bit over the tub, so she'll come and eat the treat.

No, don't worry about doing that -- indeed, if they get lost in the ear, you'll have big problems. Instead, just try to avoid splashing water in his ears, or spraying them with the shower.

Yes, but use waterproof toys.

No. You would be removing oils on your dogs fur and skin that are essential to keeping him/her healthy. It is recommended to bathe your dog when it stinks or every couple to few months. If you have a hairless dog, baths will need to be more frequent but not every day.

You should take a cloth and wet it with hot water, and use that to clean the dog's fecal matter with.

This is optional, to avoid getting water in their ears. If you choose to avoid this step, be careful around the dog's face and neck.

In general, shampoo made for dogs should be non-toxic for them, just in case they ingest it. If you're worried about your dog getting into your shampoos or soaps, try placing them out of reach or muzzling your dog during bathing.

If you're referring to a yelp or a whimper, that may be a sign of fright. Continue to give him treats throughout the washing.

You can bathe your dog at any time of the day. Time of day does not matter.

Your dog might be a little afraid of water. Just give them lots of treats or praise while you bathe him/her.

Shampoo is made for removing dirt off the dog and cleaning him. If you use dog shampoo it will remove black only if the black is not the coat color.

Give your dog lots of love and affection, and give them a treat. If they like water, they should not react badly after a bath. If they don't, then speak to them in a reassuring voice and (this is optional) wrap them in blankets to make them feel safe and secure.

Either use his favorite toys and treats to distract him, or ask for help keeping him secure and steady while someone clean him.

When using cotton, just push them in a little bit. If they get too deep inside the dog's ear, it is a serious problem.

Use treats to entice your dog to get into the bath. Whenever he or she shows a willingness to come to the bathroom, climb into the tub, etc., reward them with a treat. If they're still afraid, try starting out with wet towels and washcloths so they can get used to the feeling of being wet. Over time they may become more comfortable with the idea of being in the water.

Wait until the puppy is at least 4-5 weeks old to give her a proper bath. Put her in a sink, if she fits and bathe her as the shampoo bottle says. Once a month is enough, unless she gets wet and muddy.

The water should run clear with no soapy bubbles. Make sure to rub your hands in your dog's fur to make sure there's no soap there either.

The simple answer here is to just keep washing; bathing your dog regularly or whenever (s)he is dirty would be the best way. Try to avoid letting your dog play in muddles or other dirty areas to help as well.

It's okay, but definitely not necessary. Put on an old pair of shorts and an old t-shirt if you're worried about messing up your clothes.

Brush your dog’s fur thoroughly before giving him a bath. This is especially important if your dog has a thick, shaggy, or double coat. Make sure to remove any tangles or matted areas before the bath.

The best soap to use is one that hydrates the skin and fur, but make sure that there are no ingredients that your dog is allergic too.

If that's the only way you can get it done, there's no harm in it. Perhaps it would be easier to ask a neighbor, friend, grandchild, etc. to wash your dog for you? Or take your dog to a groomer?

The loofah isn’t the best option while lathering your dog. Hands are better, even if it gets dirty in there. You can use a cup to rinse, but it’ll be a tiring process. Make sure you wash out all of the soap.

Use a toothbrush/cotton ball. But be careful you don't get any water inside the ear; also, be careful not to get any soap in your dog's mouth, eyes, etc.

You don't need to wash your dog's ears. If you do, it can lead to infection. For the toes just put a little water and soap in between them, and then wash it out.