NLR... Silly question... bathing a long haired dog...

[blackandyellow]

OK this is a very silly question but I really don´t know how to do it...

Since its easter week and I´ll be off of work I´m planning on giving Vermont (the rough collie pup) his first bath, since he smells like pee.

I have never bathed a long haired dog. Whenever I bathe Misha and Homer (maybe twice a year) I just rub them with a towel and let them fully dry outside on the sun.

Can anybody point me out what to do? I´ve read I have to give him a good brush before getting him wet, but how do you dry a fluff ball afterwards? I´m thinking on buying a hair dryer, but knowing him, he´ll probably freak out with the noise and hate me the rest of the month.

He currently doesn´t have any tangles (I brush him thoroughly every week) but I don´t know if I should rub him with a towel or if he´s going to tangle. Also do I need to use any conditioner or just a regular shampoo (dog shampoo that is)? I don´t trust groomers after having a terrible experience many years ago with my cocker, so taking him to a groomer is out of question

[Paddysmom]

With Scamp (Lhasa) a good brushing before, a good towel drying after, then I let the air do the rest. When he's good and dry (at least a couple of hours) I brush him again. I use an oatmeal shampoo on Scampers. Just thought I'd throw that in.

[Paddysmom]

Meant to add: You might try a blow dryer after the bath. Scamp doesn't like it so I let him air dry. Some dogs actually like the blow dryer, just don't put it on a hot setting... just warm.

[deidra]

With Mae we make sure the shampoo gets through ehr really good. Then let it sit for a few minutes(groomer recommended this) and then when we rinse we brush her also. Then we towel dry her and brush again. Then she likes the hair dryer so we use that also(on cool). Any more we take her to the groomers since it is easier.

[Luvmydog2much]

Use the cool setting on any hair dryer, but yes, you can thoroughly dry them with a towel, and if warm, air dry a bit. Make sure you brush or rake him before and after.

Have fun, post before and after pictures!

[kassabella]

As others have said. I let Gemma air dry and she came up so fluffy and soft.
My vet says don't use the drier, but if you have to use the coolest setting and dry just enough for the coat to still be slightly damp.

[CindersMyGirl]

My friend has papillons and she brushes, washes, conditions, towel dries, then blow dry.

[labby]

My friend has papillons and she brushes, washes, conditions, towel dries, then blow dry.

This. Ex professional groomer here. If it's warm enough, you can air dry. Once the dog is dry, you can brush to fluff up the coat if you want.

[MicksMom]

When I bathed a Newf and our friend's Golden, I brushed them really good before hand, washed/rinsed, lightly toweled off then let them air dry.

...Ex professional groomer here. If it's warm enough, you can air dry. Once the dog is dry, you can brush to fluff up the coat if you want.

And yet again we learn something new about Laura!

[Paddysmom]

And yet again we learn something new about Laura!

Shelties, I believe.