How to Sanitize Dogs

Pets that are cared for regularly will stay clean, healthy and happy. Many people prefer to use professional pet cleaning services to improve their appearance and ensure their safety. However, if this service is not available locally or you want to save money, you can clean your dog at home yourself.

Table of Contents

Clean the dog before bathing

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Prepare cleaning supplies. You should arrange your furniture before you start grooming your dog to create favorable conditions for both of you. Refer to the “Things you need” section at the end of the article for a complete collection of pet cleaning supplies.

Brush the dog’s coat first. ^{[1] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to the source} You should do this every day or every other day to keep your dog’s coat shiny. A simple quick brush can’t get rid of all the tangles because the places where the dog’s hair gets stuck in the comb is easy to miss. You should brush thoroughly before cleaning the pet because the tangled hair will be more difficult to handle after it dries. Start brushing from the top down the body. Be careful when brushing the belly because this is a sensitive area, and the tail hair should not be overlooked. While brushing, if you encounter any tangles, you need to use a comb to handle it thoroughly. Do not focus on brushing only one place that causes the dog’s skin to burn. Instead, you can test it on your sensitive skin to understand how your pet feels

You can use a equine brush or mitt to brush the coat of short-haired dogs.
Long-haired dogs should be brushed with a steel comb, massage brush, plastic brush, or brush designed to remove the undercoat.
Regardless of the type of brush, they should work to remove loose hair and spread oil from the skin to the entire dog’s coat.

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Praise the dog while grooming them. You should encourage calm, quiet behavior for your pet to promote this. You can reward them with food for good behavior.

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Give your dog a break if needed. You should not put pressure on them, as this can easily create a bad experience that makes grooming more difficult later. You can bring joy to your pet by giving them breaks, praise, treats, petting, and even playing with them.

This step is extremely important for puppies, who are trained from a young age to get used to this operation.

Remove tangled hair that cannot be removed. A lot of messy fur can tug at the dog’s skin when moving, causing them to feel pain. If you can’t detangle, you can trim or shave the hair, depending on how close it is to the skin’s surface. You should be careful when using scissors to avoid injuring yourself and/or your pet. Cut parallel to the direction of hair growth to avoid jagged hair.

If you’re not sure you can safely remove tangled hair, you should take your dog to a dog groomer to have it done.
Sometimes the tangled hair twists tightly and presses against the dog’s skin, causing an infection under the coat. If you suspect an infection, you need to take your dog to the vet as soon as possible.
Symptoms of infection can be observed with the naked eye that is red and moist, in severe cases may ooze pus. ^{[2] X Research Source} The dog may gnaw or scratch this area because it is very itchy.

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Eye hygiene for dogs. Dog breeds with white hair or with big eyes or tears (Pekingese, Pugs, Phocs, etc.) need more care than other breeds. Depending on the breed of dog, you can remove eye discharge that accumulates in the eye socket. And long-haired or white-haired dogs need special attention to wipe off the mucus on the coat, because the tears that come out can stick on the fur. You can buy products used to clean “rust eyes” at the pet store.

Healthy eyes should be clear and free of any signs of irritation or unusual discharge.
Do not trim the hair around the eyes yourself, as you may injure your pet. Take them to a veterinarian or professional carer to replace them.

Cleaning the dog’s ears. Ears may show little earwax, but there should be no strange smell. To clean your dog’s ears, use a cotton ball soaked in cleaning solution (bought at a pet store) and then wipe the dirt and earwax inside, but don’t rub it so hard that it hurts the pet. In addition, you should not wipe too deep inside the ear. The principle of hygiene is to only wipe what you see.

Warm the ear cleaner to body temperature before giving it to your pet. Dip the bottle of solution in warm water, just like when warming a baby bottle.
After using a cotton ball or damp cloth to clean the ear, you should continue to use a cotton ball or dry towel to gently absorb the remaining water.
Praise the dog! The ears are a sensitive part of the body, and the dog needs mental comfort.

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Contact your veterinarian if there is a problem with your dog’s ears. Your dog needs medical attention if the ears are swollen, red, itchy, or dark. In addition, if discharge or pain, or an unpleasant sour odor, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.

Pets need to be examined by a veterinarian if there is a lot of discharge, infection, one ear is dirtier than the other, and there is an unpleasant odor that signals an ear infection.

Bathing the dog

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Preparing instruments. You need to have things ready instead of running around looking for things while the dog is drenched. Furthermore, you should wear clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty because it will inevitably get wet. ^{[6] X Research Resources} Then, prepare at least the following: ^{[7] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to the source}

Shampoo for dogs
Snacks
Some towels
Place one towel over the edge of the tub to prevent water from splashing out, while the other towel is used to dry your pet.

Spread a non-slip pad on the bottom of the tub. The surface of the bathtub is often very slippery if soap is on it. To prevent your dog from slipping, you should put a towel or anti-slip pad on the bottom of the tub.

Pour warm water into the tub. Hot water can damage a dog’s skin, especially if they have short hair. Do not flush while the dog is in the tub as this can stress them out. You should spend time training your pet to get used to the sound of running water with their favorite food. Always do it slowly to avoid putting pressure on the dog and difficult for both of you.

You can mix a little shampoo in 20 liters of lukewarm water to shorten the process.

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Protect the dog in the bath. Some dogs like to run outside while bathing. If your pet behaves like this, you can buy a special leash made for dogs at a pet store. This type of rope is attached to the wall with a suction pad and holds the pet in place while bathing.

Replace the regular collar with one that won’t stain the coat or get damaged by water.

Wet the dog’s coat thoroughly. You need to make sure the entire hair is wet before applying the shampoo. If the dog is not scared, you can use a faucet and a water pressure regulator attached to the faucet. This is quite useful with dogs with large sizes or double coats. However, if your pet is afraid of the sound of running water, you should use a cup or bucket to splash the water in the tub over their body. DO NOT splash water in the dog’s ears to avoid infection. You should only spray water up to their neck. The dog’s head will be cleaned separately (see instructions below).

Apply bath shampoo to your dog’s body. Starting at the neck, move down the sides of the body and four legs, using your fingers to spread the shampoo all the way down to the dog’s skin. The head can be left for later cleaning, and do not apply soap around the ears and eyes (unless using dry shampoo for dogs). Instead, you can use a damp cloth to wipe your dog’s head. After applying the bath oil, gently scratch the dog’s double-layer coat to distribute the bath oil evenly and be careful not to scratch in one spot for too long. You should try the practice first to see how you feel.

Dilute the bath oil to make it easier to apply and rinse off.

Rinse off the bath oil thoroughly. If you still see dirty water or soap bubbles coming out, you need to continue rinsing as you would moisten your hair before applying the oil. However, you should note that do not use running water directly if the dog is afraid of this sound. Instead, simply use a cup of water to gently rinse off the oil.

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Pat the dog dry. Use a rubber spatula or hand to brush the water out of the dog’s coat and body. Use a towel to dry as much as you can while the pet is in the bath to prevent splashing. Place a towel on your dog’s back, or hold a towel next to them to allow the dog to get rid of the water on its own. Many dogs will learn the “bath rules” and only shake themselves when you spread a towel over them to dry off the water. If your pet has a short coat or you prefer to let it dry naturally, you can skip this step.

If your dog has two coats or long hair, you will need to use a blow dryer to dry it completely.

Dry if necessary. In case the towel cannot dry the water, you can dry it without making the dog feel too hot or dry. If the dog has long hair, you need to dry it with a comb.

Set the dryer to cool! This step makes the drying take longer than usual, but in return the dog’s coat and skin will not be dry.
If your dog is afraid of the sound or feeling of being in contact with the dryer, don’t force it. Instead, use a towel and walk the dog in a suitable place to let the dog’s hair dry naturally, such as in the laundry room.

Dog Trimming

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Consider trimming your pet’s coat. Many dog breeds have short hair and do not require frequent trimming. However, if your dog has a thick coat, you need to trim it regularly to keep it healthy. Breeds that need regular trimming include cocker spaniels, sheepdogs, poodles, cplie, lion dogs, Pekingese, and Tang canines. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Trim the dog’s coat after it’s dry. If you intend to trim your pet’s hair, you should carefully read the instructions that come with the clipper. Read books or watch instructional videos, or consult a professional cleaner on how to use the right pruning tools. The cutting edge should be sharp and the cutting tool should be lubricated. Blunt blades can pull pet’s hair.

Before trimming your dog’s coat, you need to come up with a styling idea first. Read, ask questions, and watch videos to consult and get to work.

Gently immobilize the dog. Use a chain to tie them so they don’t run around. While trimming, you can place a hand under your pet’s belly to encourage them to stay in place instead of constantly fidgeting.

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Use a special trimmer made for dogs. ^{[9] X Source of Research} You should invest in a high-quality trimmer. The initial amount can be quite expensive, but it will save money later on, because you will not have to spend money on professional pet care services.

Use the trimmer blade to create the desired length of hair.
Scissors do not have the effect of trimming the hair into shape and beauty, and there is a risk of hurting the dog if you move suddenly. You should use clippers instead of scissors.

You can safely move the blade over your pet’s body, just don’t press hard on the skin. Brush in the opposite direction of hair growth before running the trimmer in the other direction, i.e. in the direction of hair growth. Moving the trimmer against the direction of hair growth has the same effect as brushing in the opposite direction, but will have a shorter length than when using the trimmer blade. If you want to shave against the direction of hair growth, you should try on the abdomen to see if such a length is appropriate or not. Move the trimmer fixed, but slowly along the dog’s body to remove excess hair. Moving too fast will make the cut uneven. Always move the blade in the direction of hair growth unless you want to cut shorter than the standard length of the trimmer blade. Start with the neck, then move down to the shoulders, below the ears, and toward the chin, throat, and chest area. DO NOT trim the hair on the throat area or any part of the body with a narrow gap, such as the tendons on the heels, the skin under the arms, the genitals, the tip of the tail, or the anus. Then you will trim the hair on the back and sides of the dog’s body and finally the four legs.

Be careful when trimming the hair around the anus. This part can pop out, like a button, all of a sudden and you’ll accidentally cut it right. So you should anticipate this problem.

Be careful when trimming your dog’s legs, tail, and face. These are very sensitive parts.
Check the trimmer regularly to make sure the temperature isn’t too hot to damage your dog’s skin.
If the blade heats up, you should stop and let it cool and/or use a cooling spray that will remove the oil from the blade causing it to heat up faster, so be prepared with extra blades. cut or wait until the temperature drops.

Reward the dog. Standing still is a real challenge! If your pet feels uncomfortable going through this process, you should let them rest for a few minutes. Praise your dog during cleaning, and reward him with treats during breaks. Do not play with pets to get them dirty again.

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Patient. You need to run a lot of lines in the dog’s coat to get a smooth and straight cut. Don’t be in a hurry! Allow your pet to rest as much as possible, and move the trimmer gently.

Advice

If you don’t have time to bathe your dog, you should take your pet to a professional pet sitter to keep them clean, healthy, and happy.
If you need to dry your pet, you can buy a high-quality Double K Airmax dryer. Double coat breeds such as the Bern Mountain Dog require a longer drying time, making them more susceptible to burns. For small dogs, you can purchase a dog dryer, such as the Crazy Dog, to prevent or minimize the risk of pet burns.
Sometimes you need to pluck your dog’s ear hair. Ask your veterinarian or professional groomer about the safe and correct way to pluck your dog’s ears. You can use an ear cleaning powder to make it easy and quick, because the powder makes the ear hair more slippery.
If you use conditioner, you should only use a small amount so that the dog’s coat is clean and the dog does not feel uncomfortable.
Find out the essential grooming needs for your dog’s breed or coat type. You will need to fulfill certain breed-specific requirements for the coat to be clean and/or in a certain state. For example, the Komondor breed needs special care when separating quite long tangled hair.
Low toilets and dog tubs will cause you to frequently bend your back, causing discomfort. You can use any type of table or firm surface to clean your dog, but it needs to be grippy. This means that tables with wheels on the bottom should not be used. You can buy non-slip rubber pads at a hardware store and cut them to size to fit your countertop.
Do not let water get into the dog’s nose, as this will prevent them from breathing and develop an acute stress response. If your dog breathes in water and has trouble breathing, lower his head to let the water out.
If you can’t afford expensive cleaning supplies, you can use a self-bathing service for your dog. This service provides professional tools for less than what it would cost to pay a professional pet sitter. The most convenient thing is that this service cleans for you!
For pets with two coats, you can use a depilatory comb to remove the undercoat. If you use this type, you need to pay attention not to brush in one place for too long, but mainly focus on the nape, hind legs, and back. These are the areas with the thickest fur.
If you have a wolf or a large breed similar to a wolf, you should never trim their hair short as they will become very aggressive. Also, wolves are wild in nature, so you should only wash and groom them.

Warning

Avoid using human shampoo on pets as it is not made for dogs. The dog may have itchy skin.
Dogs often have a hind foot kick reflex if lifted. Do not spread their legs to the sides as this will make them feel uncomfortable. Instead, you should grab the dog’s paw and pull it slightly forward or back. Do not resent or punish the dog, but be patient and praise them when they are still in place. If your dog is medium to large, you should be able to complete the hoof trim without having to lift their paws.
Do not use human toothpaste to clean your pet’s teeth. Dogs can swallow the cream and be affected by the fluoride in the toothpaste. You should only use toothpaste recommended by your veterinarian.
If your dog’s eyes are irritated, you can use a cleaning solution and clean the eyes.
Avoid getting bath oil in your pet’s eyes as this can cause serious irritation. Put the bath oil in the palm of your hand before applying it to your dog’s coat instead of pouring it directly on them. When flushing, do not let soap bubbles get into the dog’s eyes and gently squeeze the water out of the ears when handling these areas. You can insert cotton balls in your dog’s ears to keep water from getting into the ear canal. After cleaning, remember to remove the cotton swab.
Do not let water get into eyes and ears. In the event this happens, you can use a cotton ball or cotton pad (don’t use cotton swabs because it can get too deep) to gently penetrate the inside of your dog’s ears. They will shake their heads to get the water out (like after swimming). If your pet is constantly scratching his ears after bathing, you need to take him to the vet to have the problem resolved.
Take your dog to the vet if there’s a problem with their skin.
If you feel shy about touching certain parts of your dog’s body, you need to get used to this. If you want to clean your pet, you need to wash their entire body. If there are fleas or ticks on the coat, leave the bath oil on for ten minutes after applying it to the coat. Once the parasites are gone, you need to rinse the bath oil out of your pet’s body. If oil is left over, the dog can get sick. You need to rub their entire body, even sensitive areas. Do not bathe with hot water, and especially do not let warm water or medicated shampoo get on the genitals because this is a sensitive organ.
Do not bathe the dog too much. Every 2 or 4 weeks is enough. Professional cleaning services recommend bathing long-haired dogs every 4 or 6 weeks. Bathing too often can dry out the skin by stripping it of its natural oils. You can use dry shampoo to clean the legs and other parts of the dog. Spray directly on a spot and use a damp sponge to absorb water. Use a hypoallergenic bath oil or gentle oats to bathe your dog. If your pet has skin problems, you should use an unscented, hypoallergenic oil before going to the vet. If the condition persists, your veterinarian may recommend a medicated shampoo. Consult your veterinarian if concerned about your pet’s skin condition.

Things you need

Short-haired dogs:

Plastic brush or gloves
Ear cleaning solution
Alcohol wipes
Cotton balls/cotton towels
Pet toothbrush
Nail clippers for dogs
Necklace
Shampoo for dogs
Dryer/towels

Long and medium haired dogs:

Square brush, massaging brush or undercoat brush
Ear cleaning solution
Alcohol wipes
Cotton balls/cotton towels
Pet toothbrush
Nail clippers for dogs
Necklace
Bath oil for dogs
Dryer/towels

Steps