[esuastegui]

Though my Tessa is a mix, her coat is pretty much the short stuff of black Labs. I've read some folks say they never bathe their Labs, and others that they do it rarely. Tessa is mostly an outdoor dog, so I'm thinking a monthly to bi-monthly schedule may be required. Already after two weeks with us, she's starting to show some dust and grass on her. Some questions:

1) To avoid stripping the natural oils on her coat, should I shower her down only (I have ordered a shower attachment that should let me do this warmly and gently).

2) When shampooing is required, what do you recommend with regards to thoroughness of application? Again, I've heard one wants to avoid stripping those natural oils.

3) How many treats per minute should I feed her to avoid her bolting? (OK, I think I know it pretty much has to be constant, but I had to ask anyway.) :wave:

 

[naturalfeddogs]

I usually use Fair Advantage from Chris Christianson. Its gentle, super cleaning and conditions the coat. You can find it on their website, chrissystems.com, I think is what it is. I also sometimes use Cowboy Magic Rosewater shampoo I get at Tractor Supply. Its a good conditioning one too.

You won't strip the oils with most shampoos, as long as you don't bathe too often. Mine get baths usually monthly in the summer, then no more the rest of the year unless needed.

 

[Pax]

Pax is 1/2 lab and has a short lab coat. We hit the beach several times a week so he gets 3-4 baths a week. Consulted vet and consensus was that the shampoo you choose was the most important...as long as it does not dry out the skin, frequency of baths are not an issue.

Going on 2.5 years and he gets compliments on his coat. He is still puppy soft.

Here is what I use:

https://www.amazon.com/Earthbath-Natural-Shampoo-Tearless-16-Ounce/dp/B00079PHUW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1471828653&sr=8-1&keywords=earth+bath+puppy

 

[jagger]

Most labs I know get a bath from swimming and retrieving from water.

 

[Artdog]

I don't have a lab, but I don't bath my dog unless necessary.

I stopped bathing my previous girl (gsd) when she got old gnarly with arthritis and other health woes, and the lack of bathing did no harm whatsoever.

My current guy is terrified of bottles and drips and splashes, so it's just not worth going there without a good reason--stinky or skunked, or if he ever needed some sort of medication.

If your dog really hates bathing, treats won't work. If he's taking treats, all good.

 

[jclark343]

My dog Roxie is a 6 year old black lab. She is an inside down that gets a bath monthly, if that. I usually only bathe her because I am bathing her brother. I use to use the Furminator shampoo and conditioner because it had added oils in it but really I can use anything on her. She's the easy one. I find that you have to move quick when bathing labs to keep them from drying quickly.

As far as the treats, I usually have someone helping me hold her, but then again she is in a bathtub so it's usually easy to manage.