How often do you give your dog a BATH? - Page 1

I have always bathed Ruger once a month, with oatmeal/flea shampoo. [my man has a phobia about fleas] But I was reading somewhere you should only give baths once or twice a YEAR..... My situation might be different though.... Ruger swims almost daily in a chlorinated pool, with no skin issues, but smells like a DOG by the end of the month. Thoughts on this????

I bathe mine as often as needed. My young male retrieves tennis balls from a local pond like a Lab - the little dude loves to swim. He also rolls around in the dirt, runs through brush and just generally does his best to get scratched up and dirty. I hose him off with water after every swim session. He gets a bath once a month or so, with Avoderm shampoo. My older dog is a very dignified bitch who only wades in water, won't roll in anything and hates being dirty. She doesn't need a bath very often, maybe 4 times a year.

It all depends on the dog how often you should bathe. If Ruger stinks, bathe him. You are hosing him off with water after pool swims, right? If his skin is normal and healthy and his coat is full and shiny, you are not bathing too often.

I only give baths before a show - or if there is a definent reason its needed...  maybe skunked or rolled in something - there is no doubt when its Bath Time!!  For daily living and maintenance, no I don't bathe them.  I had skin issues with my male when he was younger and that broke me of routine Baths!!  And too - with your guy swimming all the time - I wouldn't be bathing that much.  (this is just me though)

If I remember correct there is someone here that uses some drops of an oil on them or on their collar to help them smell better - but I can't remember who or what?!  Maybe someone else might know what I'm talking about?

If you're only bathing mainly for Flea issues, there are other alternatives you could use to keep them flea free

storm

Oh absolutely, he LOOOOVES getting hosed!!! LOL 

His coat is shiny, he looks great and is in GREAT health, but I could not imagine bathing him twice a year. I would have to get doggy purfume...LOL

I did not think it was hurting his coat, just wondering why someone would wait so long I guess.

Mine only get baths about 3 times a year,  and brushed a lot.   I get comments on how clean they are and that they don't smell "doggie" so I don't think mine need it more than that.  They are really outside running in messy areas or ponds though...  they are mostly indoor dogs. 

Heather

So funny... I was just thinking of asking this EXACT question last night as I bathed my dog.  I'd heard the twice a year thing, too, but there's absolutely no way that would fly for me.  He gets a bath with a very mild shampoo every 2-3 weeks.  I haven't had any skin issues.  He's indoor only, so I have no idea how he gets so stinky, but he's hard to live with after just 2-3 weeks!

I brush him with a generic Furminator (called the Furbuster I believe) every 2 or 3 days.

I almost never give shampoo baths.   Mainly because I don't "feel the need".   I do however hose my dogs off regularly in warm weather, and after they swim in my chlorinated pool.  It seems like my dogs get really "doggy" around this time of year - they look dirty and feel greasy, time for a bath around the beginning of fall every year for some reason.  And whenever they roll in something that the hose doesn't take care of adequately.

molly

I do the same as Molly.  I think I've bathed my dog with shampoo exactly twice in 3 years.

I don't belive in baths if you dog needs it than you have no choice but to give it to him, other than that I would try to post pon as much as I can. GSD's are famous for smelling like a dogs :) lol hahahaha. Hose it from time to time, he will enjoy it more and it will be better for him than regular baths. If I can avoid it my goal is no more than 4 times a year.

I bathe on an "as needed" basis.  Since the dogs do come inside in addition to spending time in their outdoor kennels I have no choice but to try to keep them clean.  Usually if they've gotten muddy once they dry I brush them out real good and they're fine.  I'll bathe them only when they stink enough that I wouldn't want them laying on my carpets. lol 

I'd say they get a real bath about 3 times a year.  One thing you may want to consider in between baths that has worked for me is a spay on type of conditioner that gets left in (not washed out).  It's for dogs/cats and keeps em smelling fresh in between giving baths.  I also have a waterless foam pet shampoo that Paul Mitchell makes now for dogs, it's a little pricey and 1 can won't go very far on a big dog but if you just want something real quick without giving a shampoo bath it also helps.  I'm not so sure how "clean" they are afterwards but it does smell good. LOL