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Dog Bath: Why Do Dogs Hate Bathing So Much?
Most dogs don't get bathed very often, so it's a big event in their lives. Love it or hate it, they emerge from the water totally stimulated. They just have to have a little running frenzy to release some of that energy!
The whole concept of baths is lost on dogs. They're perfectly happy when their skin and fur are well-coated with their natural scents and oils, along with whatever they've been rolling in lately. The last thing they want is have perfume sprayed on them and water in their ears.
Dogs who tear around madly after baths are probably trying to make themselves smell more like dogs again, which is why they often roll their wet, newly clean selves in the dirtiest stuff that they can find. They may be trying to get rid of the 'stink' of the shampoo.
If your dog gets truly manic, you may find that it's easier to take him to a groomer for his baths. A basic wash and dry usually costs about $20 for small dogs and $40 for larger dogs. Groomers have deep tubs, professional-quality combs and brushes, and a lot of experience keeping dogs under control. Your dog will be cleaner than you've ever seen him. Of course, he's still going to roll in the first puddle that he finds when he gets home!
Try Giving Your Dog A Dry Bath
One way to keep dogs clean without the house-drenching frenzy is to give them waterless baths. Pet supply stores sell a mousse-like product that you rub into the coat then brush out. It cleans and softens the fur without leaving an oily residue, and it doesn't require any water. Since it's more like giving a massage than a bath, dogs aren't as inclined to run around and get dirty immediately afterward.
An easy way to keep dogs clean is to dust their coats with a mixture of cornstarch and baby powder, then brush it through their coats. The powder soaks up skin oils and helps eliminate the usual "doggy" smell. Your dog will still run around afterward, but without a water-filled coat, he'll pick up less grit and grime than he would after a conventional bath.
Since dogs don't get a lot of baths, they always get worked up when you try to lift them into the tub or soak them with a hose. You can eliminate some of the post-bath craziness by making baths less exciting and more business-like.
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