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One of the keys to successfully bathing your dog is to make sure that you are in a safe environment. If you are putting your dog in a tub or sink while you bathe them make sure that he is not going to slip. Placing a rubber mat in the tub or sink will give your dog a sense of security, rubber door mats work well for this purpose. Also make sure that you are not going to slip if water gets splashed on the floor. If you are using a hose to bathe your dog outside, make sure you are in an area where they feel secure. Also you want to make sure that if they pull away from your grasp, they will not be able to run out into traffic.

Before you start bathing your dog be sure that the shampoo you are using is very mild. Shampoos that are specially formulated for dogs are best because they tend not to strip your dog's coat of the oils that they need for healthy skin. If you have to use a human shampoo try to use one that is meant for infant children. Make sure that the shampoo you are using to wash your dog is unscented. Washing your dog with shampoo that smells pretty is only going to encourage him to find dead roadkill to use to cover the scent. Perfumed shampoos can also dry out your dogs sensitive skin.

Before you begin bathing your dog, sit down and thoroughly brush his coat. This serves two purposes. First it helps relax your dog, and you. More importantly running a brush through your dogs coat will rid it off all dead and loose hair. This is hair that will no longer be around to clog your plumbing system.

Use luke warm water when you can. Hot water can burn your dog's sensitive skin. Cold water can chill your dog. Both situations can make the bathing experience miserable. If you are bathing your dog in a tub, do not fill the tub full of water. Too much water will make your dog nervous, and increase the amount of water that gets splashed on the floor and on you. Use a minimal amount of water when bathing your dog.

When using a hose or sprayer to spray water over your dog be very careful not to spray water into his ears. Also try to avoid spraying water in his nose and mouth. Getting water in the ears, nose, and mouth will not give your dog pleasant memories of the bathing experience.

When rubbing the shampoo into your dog's coat start just behind your dog's ears and work your way towards the dog's tail. Use a circular motion to rub the shampoo into the dog's coat. When you are done massaging the shampoo into your dog's coat use the sprayer or hose to rinse your dog. Make sure that you get all the soap out of your dog's hair. Soap that does not get rinsed off will irritate your dog's skin and cause them to rub and scratch himself. If the soap irritates the dog enough you could find yourself treating your dog for hot spots.

When you are done bathing your dog, use a large towel to dry them off. After bath time is finished take some time to play with and cuddle with your dog. This will ensure him that you still love him, and confirm in both your minds that bath time does not have to be a traumatic experience.