How often should you bathe your dog?

bdk6069 · 08-21-2006, 04:29 PM

I dont know if this is right or not, but Ruby has never really had an official bath until today.*(I will edit to say, since she was a peeing -in- the -crate- puppy) She'll be a year old on August 24.* I have taken her shampoo to the lake many times, and hosed her off when we got home.* But today, she got the works.* Clean, clipped nails, and fur at a local groomer.* What a treat, How often should I treat her (and me)* to this ? Is Thursday too soon? ...Just Kidding..* *Anyway, my question is..HOw long between grooming appointments?* She smells good, she looks good, and she was an angel..I like it.

Kathryn · 08-21-2006, 04:32 PM

When my puppers are well puppies(under 3 months) they get a bath when they are dirty and smelly. other than that they ONLY get one whent hey REALLY need it.

**Ender's Mom** · 08-21-2006, 04:42 PM

Labs don't need to be bathed unless they REALLY get into something.

Ender... whether it's sand or mud... just dries off and the stuff litterally falls to the ground.

**Brigettas Mom** · 08-21-2006, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by Ender's Mom

Labs don't need to be bathed unless they REALLY get into something.*

This is the only time I bathe Brigetta.

**CoCosMom** · 08-21-2006, 05:04 PM

I've heard here many times that bathing too often can dry out your labs skin, which would be very uncomfortable for them!

CoCo gets a hose down after she swims in the lake or ocean, and that's it. If your dog is smelly, a lot of people use a "listerine bath" by filling a spray bottle with 1/2 water and 1/2 listerine and spraying the dog down... Otherwise, just wait until the mud or whatever has dried, and brush it out. She has only had 2 real baths... once on her first day home as a puppy to get rid of the kennel crap on her, and once a few weeks ago when she got undercoating from underneath my in-laws car down her back!

**Trickster** · 08-21-2006, 05:24 PM

As Enders Mom said, they don't really need to be bathed unless there is a reason...for example, they roll in poop and really stink. Other then that I wouldn't bother. Bathing strips the coat of its natural oils.

**imported_bacatherine** · 08-21-2006, 05:29 PM

Mocha only gets one when she's got into something stinky or if she swims in a yucky lake I take her shampoo with and wash her belly and hose her back off (which she HATES)

Katy · 08-21-2006, 05:57 PM

If my boys look a little dirty I get the hose out for some water fun. I spray them with the plain water and that refreshes them. If they get spots of muck on them I'll "spot clean" with a wet rag. Rory is 4 and has only gotten a real bath once his whole life. Both my boys smell fresh and clean.

MTI · 08-21-2006, 05:59 PM

For us, there are only a few definative times, 1) when he starts to stink; 2) after going to the beach; or 3) when he finds a mud puddle at the doggy park.

**AngusFangus** · 08-21-2006, 06:08 PM

Angus and Simon have both had one "bath" in their lives, before they came home from the shelter.

I know it seems so luxurious to go and have them all "done up!"

But really, they don't need bathing unless they really get into something smelly. I believe that by shampooing regularly, you can actually cause a myriad of skin and coat problems. Think about it...dogs were never shampooed in the wild!

My boys never, ever smell bad or doggie. Sometimes their coats get a little dirty and we take them down to the lake and let them have a swim. They come back ultra-soft and clean...I think they feel just as good as if they'd just gotten a bath with some fancy doggie shampoo.

What you need to do is get you a Zoom Groom and get into brushing!!! Yeah! You will be surprised at how much fun you will have with this! It is a great way to pamper them and make them "pretty" (

), but much easier on the wallet (AND their coat) than a day at the "spa."