Help! Dog lovers - bathing question

[Hawkeye-X]

As you know, we've had Teddy for the last few weeks, he gets very dirty in his pure white body (with a little apricot ears), and now he's looking gray. He stays outside (he doesn't mind) during the day and inside at night. That makes him a very dirty doggy, and I need to make sure he stays white and fresh.

Currently I'm using a store-brand dog shampoo (don't know what the name is), but willing to entertain suggestions on how to keep him clean. He gets his bath every other week, and this week is his bath week, so he'll get one tonight...

Hawkeye-X

For those who hasn't seen Teddy:

[Dookus]

1. maybe

you could Scotch-Gard him?

[patdem]

2. Get over it!!! That is not a dog...That is the KING of the REALM!!!

You do not 'give him a bath' you bathe him...see the difference?? :bounce: :hi: :bounce:

[Robb]

4. Indeed

White dogs are tough to keep white. I know back in the old days, dog show types used to actually have to powder the white patches on dogs to get them super-duper white.

I guess what I'm saying is, don't set your sights too high on how white that sucker's gonna be. If you do decide you need to bathe the dog more often, you'll need to increase the oil in its diet to make up for what you wash out; I've had a lot of luck with just a dash of flaxseed oil in food, with dogs with dry skin issues. Solved it on one husky with Missing Link food supplement.

Also, think about dust/dirt-proofing the yard. Bark chips, etc.

Cutie pie!

[burrowowl]

12. Plus

daily brushing or less bath and more brushing. As Robb said, too many baths will dry out his skin.

[E_Zapata]

3. I heard about these like wet wipes for dogs.......

I haven't used them but they are like wet wipes. I saw them at the major grocery store chain in the pet section. Looked like a good idea. And you can wipe the dog down every night.

You shouldn't give dogs toooooo many baths or their skin will get dry, esp in the winter when they are inside with the heat on.

PS: what a little cutie pie -- Prince Teddy. ruff!

PSS: I guess I did buy them. Didn't use 'em. But they are called Quick Bath by International Veterinary Scienes, Inc (I hope the co is PETA-friendly!). www.invet.com is on the package. They are 8x10 wipes with aloe and vit A and E

[radwriter0555]

5. I wash my lil dawgie every week, sometimes more. She's a maltese

and believes she's a doberman. She hangs with the big dogs and plays and gets slobbered on, and eats the tortoise's watermelon and gets ALL sticky and messy! Worse than a little kid!

So, get a good quality conditioner, not the hartz brands; go to a real pet store and get a good quality conditioner as well. Start at the butt, since puppy doesn't like a wet face, or soap in the eyes. Do the face last, and use a wet, soapy washcloth to get right around the snout and muzzle. The doggies don't like the rinsing process, so be patient and kind.

I bought a screw on nozzle / hose attachment for the sink since the Winky is too tiny for the tub.

It's a lot of work, but a stinky poochie is no fun in the bed or on the lap. You can't KEEP them clean, you have to clean them! The doggies like to be clean as well, they know when they look nice and smell clean. I suggest a professional grooming a few times a year. Also keep an eye on his toenails, I see he's on a little concrete, so if he has enough concrete, it might keep his nails properly worn down. If not, you must learn how to clip them yourself, with a proper nail clipper, and it's best after the bath.

Good luck!

[trof]

6. 1 Hour Martinizing

We send Nasha once a week.
"In by 9, out by noon"
;-)

[MuseRider]

7. You might want to check this out

because I don't know about using it on doggies when it would contact their skin. I have a Flea Bitten Grey horse who has a silvery, white tail. Well, the tail always gets stained and after checking out a few products I discovered that many of them have blueing in them. I made my own shampoo for him and added some. It worked great. I'll bet if you look at some of the show dog shampoos you would find that they use it to. Maybe just a drop for wee tiny doggie but be sure you test it first or better yet ask a vet.

[hippiechick]

8. Hank takes a shower with me and uses VO-5

"Tangerine Tickle" .... once a week or as needed.

Hank is a crazy hound, though so I wouldn't advise the same treatment for dogs with any common sense.


:hippie:

[Hawkeye-X]

9. I like a shower

and I was wondering if Teddy would mind a lukewarm shower after I shower? I think it's easier on both of us...

Hawkeye-X

[curlyred]

11. I usually go to Mutt Puddles

It's a dog wash, with bath tubs mounted at waist level.....they provide the shampoo, conditioner, brushes and have a dryer available. I do use a special shampoo for my white dog........but she still gets dirty. It's just the nature of the beast.

[hippiechick]

16. if it's possible ....

If you have a detatchable shower head (easier to wash all the shampoo or whatever off the underparts with), that helps.

It's easier for me to wash Hank first, then he 'shakes off' on cue and jumps out ... washing the dog will probably get you full of fur and dander, you'll want to wash yourself last, IMO. If you've got someone home to dry the dog off while you're showering, that's ideal ... Hank usually waits on a beach towel on the bathroom floor until I'm finished .... then he gets toweled off before I do (SPOILED!)


Good luck !!


:hippie:

[zbird]

10. There are special shampoos made for white dogs.

Also, I have seen special shampoos for grey/white hair for humans that may work as well.

Here is a link to a groomer's site with some suggestions.

http://w3.gorge.net/dynmyte/bbird/groomers_favorite_products.html

[dweller]

13. Breed or Emutee?

our Wookie, also all white, is a mix of bichon frise and west highland terrier and is all, well, mostly white. He's like a Q-tip on four legs, but coarser. He was a pound incarceree for almost 3 months (avg 2 weeks) and they had cut him short when i took him in. After if grew out and we started washing him (which he didn't care for, nor cutting,nor grooming at all) i started reading up on his westie heritage. i was advised to just give him a towel, and he would clean himself, which he does to some extent. He prefers the carpet, couch, barcalounger etc...

you may want to get him his own wookie/blankie and see if he will groom himself with it. He'll just grovel, wiggle and squirm in it to clean up.

dp

hmm, maybe i can set up a photo of my beastie here...let's see.


http://webspace4me.net/~dweller/

[geniph]

14. That is one damn cute dawg!

there oughtta be a law against you people posting cute little doggie pix and making us dogless folks want one!

[dweller]

15. thanx, we are getting ready to shave him again

and he's not going to be happy with the procedure, but afterwards he's happy without the furry fuzz!!

dp