Do you have a smelly, stinky hound that is constantly chewing itself, scratching, and stinking up your house? Well, then it’s time to wash your dog, and this article will explain everything you need to know about cleaning your canine. Most people put off this chore for much longer than they should, mainly because the typical dog doesn’t enjoy being sprayed with water and lathered from head to tail; however, the sooner you start washing your dog, and the more frequently you do it, the more your dog will begin to get used to it. Not only that, but washing your dog on a regular basis will help your dog maintain a shiny coat and clean skin, which is important for your dog’s health.

Before you get started, here are some basic things you will need:

1. Basin tub or bathtub
2. Hose
3. Dog brush
4. Dog shampoo
5. Towels

Step 1. Brushing Your Dog:

Thoroughly brush your dog’s coat with a dog brush. If you don’t have a “dog brush,” just about any brush with thick bristles will suffice, as long as you don’t plan on using it on yourself again. Firmly brush the dog’s fur, starting at their head and working your way back. Make sure to brush their tail and legs too. This will help to remove most of the dirt and debris caught in their fur, as well as any excess fur the dog has shed. This will probably be the one part of the process your dog will actually enjoy.

Step 2. The Pre Wash

Place the dog in the tub and wet it with the hose. Some dogs really hate being sprayed with a hose, so you may want to try using a bucket or large cup to gently pour water over the dog if it starts to freak out. Keep in mind, a dog’s fur is much oilier than a person’s hair, so it will dry much faster; make sure the dog is really wet.

Step 3. Putting on the Shampoo

Begin to lather the dog with dog shampoo. Do not use regular shampoo; it just won’t work as well. Make sure you use dog shampoo, which you can purchase at any pet store and most grocery stores. Also, be sure to follow the instructions on the bottle explicitly. Many shampoos require that the shampoo is left on the dog for a minimum length of time specified by the manufacturer.

Step 4. Rinse Thoroughly:

Rinse the dog thoroughly. You should rinse the dog’s fur at least 3 to 4 times to ensure that all the soap has been rinsed off.

Step 5. Drying Off

Dry the dog off with a towel. You may need to use more than one towel for medium to large sized dogs.