But it’s a job that needs done, particularly if your pooch has rolled in something smelly, and online searches have doubled recently on how to do it properly.
To help out the thousands of people who have recently welcomed pets into their homes over the global pandemic, the experts at online shower retailer Showerstoyou.co.uk have researched the top tips for bathing your dog at home.
And for those who find their dog hates the idea of hopping into the bathtub Martin Smith, owner of Showerstoyou.co.uk, has some specific advice, explaining: “For those dogs that hate being bathed, it is important to normalise the bathtub. Many of us wash dogs very infrequently to the point that dogs feel nervous about being bathed. However, you can attempt to use the bathroom and tub when it's dry as a feeding location - creating a positive association with being in or near the bathtub. Another tip that works well is to place a Licki mat in the bathtub so that the dogs can have a treat, and are distracted while in the bath.”
So, here’s how to correctly bathe a dog.
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9. Rinse and repeat
Even if you believe that all the shampoo has been removed after rinsing, make sure you double or even triple rinse. Ensuring every little bit of shampoo has been removed is vital as any remaining suds can irritate your dog’s skin. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
10. Gently hold the back of the neck to limit your dog shaking off wet water
If your dog is about to shake off all the bath water, before you have had a chance to wipe them down with a towel, simply hold the back of the neck and apply a small amount of pressure. This makes it impossible for them to shake their head, however their tail may shake a little. Photo: Canva/Getty Images