Bathing a Shelter Rescue

mrsjefferson · Mar 19, 2012

We are hoping to adopt in the next several weeks, so I'm trying to mentally work through as much as I can right now. We're wanting a chihuahua or dachshund or something along those lines (we're not being exclusive...but there are a TON of chihuahuas here in Idaho shelters from overcrowded shelters in CA, so chances for a chihuahua are pretty good). We plan on going for a pack walk on the way home. I'm wondering how long after getting home can we bathe the dog? I don't want to freak him/her out, but I also want to wash off any shelter ickiness soon too. I read that cotton balls should be put in chihuahua's ear prior to the bath. Is there anything else we'd need to know? We are going to buy good shampoo, we don't use any of the nasty stuff on ourselves, so I don't plan to use it on our dog either.

vicky0123 · Mar 21, 2012

Im in training to be a dog groomer and some advice i've been given when working with a new dog especially is to make sure I put water on the dogs back/ hind quaters, working my way forward as they are less likely to be frightened by it. Also putting shampoo on the body before the head and wash it off the head first, that way the shampoo is less likely to drip into their eyes or cause them to shake. You can always use puppy/tearless shampoos on the head if you are at all worried about getting shampoo in the eyes. Make sure you are calm and dont panic if the dog doesn't like it. if he reacts badly then try just putting the shower head on so he can hear the water but nothing bad is happening and slowly build it up. As long as you do not force him to face the shower if he is scared then he should be okay. I hope this has helped.

Bathing a Shelter Rescue

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