Before you get started with bathing your dog, here are a few pointers which should help to make the process  a little easier for all concerned, no matter what your dog’s coat type. First, collect all the things that you need before you start and place them within easy reach:

Cotton balls for blocking ears.

Non-slip mat for the bath.

Shampoo, conditioner if needed.

Towels.

Jug or other container for mixing shampoo.

Lightweight collar to help you keep control of your dog (fabric collars or chain are best  – do not use leather as it can stain the hair when the collar gets wet).

Once all these items are in place and your shampoo is mixed (read the dilution instructions on your chosen product), take your dog to the bathing area and close the door! The last thing you need is a half-shampooed dog running amok about your house with you in hot pursuit.

Place your dog on the secure anti-slip mat in the bath. It’s often easier if two people are available for the task of bathing a dog, one to hold the dog and one to wash, so try to get another household member to help. Put a cotton ball gently in each of the dog’s ears to prevent water from getting into the ear canal.

Whether you are using a jug to pour water over your dog or a handheld shower attachment, make sure before you start that the water temperature is suitable: just around warm. Don’t use water that is hot. Thoroughly wet down the dog all over, but leave the head area dry for the time being. Then shampoo thoroughly using enough shampoo to work up a rich lather.

Applying the shampoo, suitably diluted, with a wet sponge can be very effective. If you feel it’s necessary because the dog is particularly dirty or the shampoo isn’t lathering too well, partially rinse and apply a second shampoo. Rinse most of the shampoo from the coat.

Now turn your attention to the dog’s head, washing it carefully with a tear-free shampoo. Then rinse the whole dog thoroughly until the coat is squeaky clean when you run your hands over it. (Remember that leaving shampoo in the coat can lead to skin irritation.) If you are going to use a conditioner, now is the time to do so, rinsing thoroughly as before.

If possible, let the dog shake before you start to towel him dry as this will get rid of a lot of surplus water. Try to hold on to your dog as he shakes, whether this is in the bath, on the floor or on your grooming table, so he doesn’t choose this moment to run off! Then towel dry as much as possible. If you don’t want to do all this at home, some big pet stores have bathing facilities that you can hire for around 30 minutes, with a big tub and power dryer – meaning you don’t make any mess at home.

Bathing instructions step by step:

1. Assemble all the items that you will need. Also brush the dog thoroughly all over to get rid of any loose hair before you start.
2. Gently block the entrance to each ear canal with cotton balls or a small plug of absorbent cotton.
3. Check that the water is just around warm – not hot – and place the dog in the bath.
4. Put a small quantity of shampoo into the bath water and use this mix to wet the coat. You do not want to put shampoo directly onto dry hair.
5. Now pour pre-diluted shampoo onto the coat and massage it in to work up a rich lather.
6. Once the body is well shampooed, you may also wet the ears in preparation for lathering them. But only work on the ears at this stage; the head comes later.
7. Work diluted shampoo into the ears. Be careful not to get lather near the dog’s eyes.
8. Rinse off the lather and, if the dog is quite dirty, re-shampoo. Then partially rinse clean.
9. Now for the head: first wet the head with clean, warm water. Be careful near the eyes.
10. Apply a tear-free shampoo to the head, observing any dilution recommendations.
11. Work the lather all around the head and muzzle, but try to avoid getting soap lather directly into the dog’s eyes.
12. Rinse the dog thoroughly all over using jugs of clean, warm water or a shower attachment. You may need to rinse twice. Cover the eyes with your hand when rinsing the head.
13. Remove the ear plugs, let the dog shake and wrap in a towel in preparation for drying.