How often your Rottweiler requires bathing will depend on where you live, how much time he spends outside, and how dirty he gets. If he is your constant companion on walks, jogs, hikes, and trips to the barn or pasture, he may require bathing on a regular basis, say, every few weeks or so.
If he spends a great deal of time indoors, he may require bathing once every 4 to 6 weeks. No cut-and-dried formula exists for how often your Rottweiler needs bathing. You will need to be the judge of that.
Most Rottweilers enjoy the water and are quite amenable to baths. In warmer climates, you may be able to bathe your dog outdoors with a garden hose. Otherwise, a rubber mat on the bottom of a bathtub or shower stall will provide secure footing and prevent him from slipping.
If you are bathing your Rottweiler indoors, have plenty of dry towels ready and be prepared to wipe down all the walls and fixtures in the bathroom! You might also want to invest in a screen that fits over the drain opening. This will help to keep your dog’s excess hair from clogging your drains.
Unless your dog has a specific skin condition, such as dry, feet flaky, itchy skin, choose a mild shampoo designed specifically for dogs. Some shampoos contain harsh detergents that can dry the skin and damage the coat by stripping it of natural oils. Many shampoos and conditioning products are available, from all-purpose to medicating to herbal to color enhancing, so do not be shy about asking for help when choosing shampoos and conditioners.
The Bathing Process
Saturate your Rottweiler with warm water (a cotton ball placed in each ear will keep the water out), apply a dab or two of shampoo, and scrub away! Work the shampoo into the coat with your fingers or a rubber massage tool designed specifically for dogs.
Scrub from head to toe, being careful to avoid the eye area. To clean around a Rottweiler’s eyes, wipe the area with a damp cloth. You can also use a small dab of tearless shampoo to gently wash around the head and eye area. Even though it is tearless, it is best to avoid getting any in your dog’s eyes. Rinse his entire body thoroughly with warm water. The rinsing is the most important part.
A Rottweiler’s coat can hold a lot of suds, and residual shampoo can irritate the skin, as well as leave a dull film on the coat. If necessary, shampoo and rinse again to be sure your Rottweiler is squeaky clean! If you are using a coat conditioner or skin remoisturizer, be sure to follow the directions carefully.
If possible, let your Rottweiler shake off any extra water, then towel dry him thoroughly. You can also use a shedding blade to help remove any excess water.
Throughout the entire bath, and until he is completely dry again, protect him from any drafts. If you live where the temperatures are warm and your Rottweiler is likely to air dry quickly, blow-drying is usually not necessary. If you choose to complete the process by blow-drying, hold the dryer at least 6 inches away from the coat, keep the dryer in motion, and use a low or cool setting to avoid damaging the coat or burning your Rottweiler’s skin.
It is worth noting that damp dogs love to roll in whatever is handy, be it grass, dirt, mud, or gravel. You might consider keeping him sequestered in the house until he is dry. Otherwise, he can quickly undo all of your hard work!