When it comes to dog care, one of the things that people struggle with the most is dog bathing. They have trouble with the process of getting their dog to cooperate, knowing what to use in the bath, and knowing how to properly care for their dog's coat in general. If you are struggling with bathing your dog, get to know a few tips to help you with the process. Then, you can better handle bath time with your dog in the future. 

Make Sure You Buy Special Dog Shampoo

One of the things to keep in mind when you are planning to bathe your dog is that they will need shampoo specially formulated for dogs. Dog shampoo has a different pH level than shampoo designed for humans or even body wash for humans. The wrong pH can damage their coat and cause severe skin irritation or even chemical burns and rashes. 

As such, go to the pet store or your veterinarian's office and pick up a shampoo that is designed for dogs. There are several different types to choose from, depending on your dog's needs. If they have dry skin, for example, a moisturizing dog shampoo will be best for them. If their skin is sensitive, an oatmeal bath shampoo could be helpful. And if they are prone to being a bit stinky, a lavender dog shampoo may be just the ticket. 

Distract, Distract, Distract

Dogs are notorious unenthusiastic about bathing, to say the least. Many dogs will fight and struggle to jump out of the bathtub while you are bathing them, making the situation difficult and messy. However, there are ways to calm them down and get them to cooperate. Most of these methods involve distraction. 

There are several items you can buy in pet stores to help you out with the distraction process. There are lick pads, for example, that work exceptionally well. These are textured mats that you stick to the walls of the bathtub. You can put peanut butter or spreadable dog treats on them. The dog will spend their bath time licking the lick pad, trying to get every last morsel of treat off of it. This distracts them enough that you can scrub away and rinse away without much fight or resistance from your dog. 

Now that you know a few tips to help you bathe your dog, you can be better prepared for the next time your canine pal needs a bath. 

To learn more, contact a dog bathing professional.