Discussions

Hi dog lovers! How often do you bath your dog? Once, twice or thrice a week? I have a two year old shotgun. And what shampoo and conditioner do you use? Thanks

Sorry shitzu not a shotgun!

When he starts to get stinky, he's visibly dirty, or his coat ceases to shine even with brushing. Usually every 3-8 weeks, depending on the time of year and what we've been up to. He gets groomed every 8-12 weeks too (he's a cocker spaniel cross).

1 2, 3 times a week is way much.  
try once a month, and it depends on the season.  
 
call your vet

The oils are good for their skin, I thought once per month maximum was normalish. Usually every few months unless she gets stinky. Though she swims lots in the summer.

In my opinion it dosent do the dog any good at all bathing him. Saying that at times you have to bath him - some times they come home stinking - they love to roll in the most descusting things. A dog that is bathed regularly will develop itchy skin and may scratch the fur right off leading to other problems . Talk to you vet - get recommendations for the shampoo as well because it will make a big difference .

Happens once or twice a year, usually in the Spring time just to help prevent the dirt getting everywhere in the house. Grooming, bathing etc. will vary depending on the dog breed.

Their own natural oils are best for them. Remember that they are animals that were domesticated. Washing them is more for our comfort than theirs. I only wash them when they are really dirty or smelly. Otherwise I let their own genetics and make-up do what it does best!

When he smells like Frito chips. LOL. About 1 every two months or so>

every 6 weeks, when they go for grooming. Once in a while, during muddy seasons, they get a couple in between.

Like many things in life stay away, I wouldn't trust shampoos from the dollar store.

I have two dogs. The big guy gets bathed 3-4 times per year at most unless he has been rolling in something disgusting. In between, I brush him, trim the hair on his paws and clip the claws. The little girl gets bathed every 3 weeks or so and professionally groomed a couple of times each year. I keep the claws trimmed and occasionally trim her hair around her face if it's too long.  
 
Although I'm not a groomer, I did own a grooming salon in Winnipeg a number of years ago and learned some valuable lessons from my groomers. The main one is to NOT bathe your dog more than once every 2-3 weeks (or longer) unless absolutely necessary. It strips essential oils from their skin and plays havoc with their coat... even if you use "gentle" shampoo.

Any quality shampoo and conditioner works great.  
Don’t buy special dog shampoo, waste of money!!! Unless your dog has fleas.  
I usually bathe the dogs about once a month.  
If they go out and get muddy, just wash their feet and belly.  
Completely avoid the face of shampoo, only use water. Can lead to eye infections.  
And don’t get water in the ears.  
Some dogs are a handful in the bath and can leap, jump, shake, or bite you.  
Put peanut butter on wall, let them lick it off. It will distract them from what your doing, and keep them occupied.

Thank you for all the advice... now I need to learn the proper grooming.

He is groomed every 3 months and usually one bath in between because their eyes get gucky and sometimes they will get will nots on their bottom.

I have a 13 year old shih Tzu mix. He hates everything to do with grooming of any sort. I shave him down once a year (well, the vet does), and use scissors a couple of times in between to trim him. He gets a bath maybe twice a year, or rarely if he rolls in something gross. My vet plucks his ears twice a year. I trim his nails every 6 weeks or so.