Most people have one of two opinions about dog bathing. Some believe that dogs only need to be washed every year or so. Others believe that they should bathe their pets once a month.

Bathing is good for dogs, but it can cause problems if you do it too often.

Just like us, dogs naturally have oils in their fur and skin. Bathing your dog too often will cause drying of the skin, which means itching, scratching and possible sores and injuries. Remember that the natural oils have some benefits, since they provide protection from bacteria and other elements.

With care, you can make bathing entertaining for you and your pet. Just watch for a few things.

1. Ear protection is important for your dog in the bath. If the ear canal gets soap and water in it, an infection could occur. This could be temporary, but serious damage could also occur. Infections can cause harm to the ear drum, leading to possible deafness. Some signs that your dog could be suffering from an ear infection, he may shake his head often or develop a discharge from his ears.

To make sure that this doesn’t occur, all you need to do is use cotton balls to stop your dog’s ears. Never force these into the ear canal – just place them securely at the entrance of the ear, keeping water out. Once the bath is over, dry the ears to keep moisture out – a finger wrapped in a cloth works well. If you decide to use a cotton swab, make sure you don’t put it too deeply into the ear canal, since it could damage the ear drum.

2. Use a shampoo intended for dogs. These are made to protect your pet’s fur and skin. Soaps meant for people can be irritating and harsh. There’s also a chance your dog will be allergic to the perfumes in human products.

3. How often you bathe your dog should depend in part on what breed he is. Longer haired dogs need more washing than shorter haired breeds. If you have a hairy dog, like a spaniel, baths should be scheduled once every two months or so. Different breeds may go as long as six to eight months. If your dog spends lots of time outside, he’ll get dirty more quickly, so pay attention to this.

Start your dog off the right way when it comes to bathing – patience and compassion are extremely important. Scaring your dog will make the entire process more difficult. Dogs enjoy being wet, and may enjoy running into lakes and rivers or having water sprinkled on them.

If you can, set the bath up outside and encourage your dog to play in it. Distract your dog from water with toys. When the dog calms down, you can start the bath. A leash may help with this process.

Have everything ready first, including soaps towel, a bowl for pouring water, and brushes. Water coming out of the tap might be a little cold, so let water in the bath warm up a little.

If you teach your dog that bathing is fun and enjoyable, he’ll be excited about the prospect.

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