How to Bathe your Dog and Control Shedding

Here at K9 University we are getting more requests for grooming services, whether it is a full-service groom or just a bath.  In this article, Robyn Michael, K9U groomer, discusses how to bathe your dog and control shedding.

How to Bathe Your Dog

How do you know if your dog needs a bath?  Here’s an easy method: put your dog in the car & go for a ride. Take your dog out of the car and get back in yourself.  If you smell dog, the dog needs a bath.  This can be as often as every day or once a year.  What you are smelling is anaerobic digestion by bacteria.  You've got to kill the bacteria to kill the odor. (This is why Listerine works).

Now you know, why bathing is important, here are simple steps for how to bathe your dog.

Preparing the bath

But don't just throw your pooch in the tub.  First, you really have to prepare.

Step 1)  Brush your dog thoroughly before the bath.  I suggest a good slicker or rubber curry (see notes at the end of the article).   Get all the mats out, otherwise they’ll really tighten up when they get wet and have to be cut out.

Step 2)  Get your towels together.   You can find good microfiber, lint-free dog towels at any pet store or super store.   Warm them in the dryer to help promote evaporation while drying

Step 3)  Dilute the shampoo.   I suggest a 16 to 1 ratio of water to shampoo (old dishwashing soap bottles work great for mixing).   Not only will this save you money, it will make it much easier to rinse your dog.   If you don’t get all of the suds – which contain sodium – rinsed away, your dog will itch like crazy after the bath.

Step 4)  Prepare the bath area.   I recommend a closed room – mud room, laundry room, or bathroom – with a hose or hose showerhead attachment.    Using a cup or bucket to rinse is sub-optimal (how will you rinse the underside?).

Bathing your dog

Don’t make an all day affair out of this.  Get the dog in the tub, wet him, massage shampoo into the coat (for those with non-shed 'hypoallergenic' or even double coated dogs, I suggest brushing the shampoo through the coat with a slicker brush), rinse, and towel dry.

For most dogs this will take about five minutes.  Your long-haired dog will take a few minutes longer.  If you have a crate, line the bottom with a warm towel or two for the dog to lay on.   If you really want to cut down drying time, use a warm hair dryer on low (if you dog will let you).
If this is too much work, that’s what we are here for at K9 University! 

Controlling your dog’s shedding

What about shedding?  Dogs shed for several reasons.  One reason, of course, is genetics and coat type.  Dogs shed more when they get more sunlight or if your home is too warm.  Dogs also shed when they get excited.  You come home and POOF!  Hair all over from a dog happy to see you!
Take a listen to our shedding control video for more detailed guidance on shedding control, including useful tools.

Cutting the hair is not the solution

First of all, the dog will still shed, just shorter hair.  But more important, you might make the dog shed more. Why?  Biophysics and a stress response called Clipper Alopoecia.  It's not the topcoat that is shedding, but the undercoat.  When you cut the topcoat, sometimes it doesn't grow back, and the undercoat increases.

Sometimes it grows back patchy.

I suggest a de-shedding treatment once a month.  I use the Furminator brand de-shedding system.  The way it works is that the shampoo and conditioner have a specially formulated product with Vitamin E that makes the skin more supple.  When the skin is more supple, the hair that is about to shed out will come out easily.

When you ask for a deep conditioner treatment, this is also what I use.  It's a 3-step process and takes longer, but for shedding due to sunlight, rather than situational stress, it works amazingly well, especially if you do it about once a month.   And it would be the same price as a haircut.

Care and maintenance

Bottom line, especially for you parents of non-shed dogs:  there is up keep.  If your dog gets wet -- and he will if he goes to daycare -- he must be brushed out immediately.  If you want to keep over two inches of coat on your dog, he must be bathed and thoroughly brushed out at least every two weeks.

The alternative is to remove the mats with cutting tools or by trying to comb through them, which can be painful for your dog and make him afraid of the very grooming tools you need to do your maintenance. Be diligent and your dog will be much happier, cleaner, and smell a lot better!

Notes on grooming tools

I use three different types of slicker brushers in my work and would be happy to show you which is best and most effective for your dog.  I just have to say this:  for the most part, the bristle and pin brushes that pet stores sell are generally useless.  The Furminator brand can be helpful for some shorthaired dogs, and I also use 'Coat King' brand rakes, which you can get online at places like Petedge.com.

Or just stop by K9 University and I'd be happy to give you a catalog so you can easily compare style, brands, and prices!   Hope to see you soon!

THIS ARTICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AT: https://k9uchicago.com/blog/how-to-bathe-your-dog-control-shedding/

How to Desensitize Your Dog to Loud City Noises

Do you have a new dog and live in the city? Or perhaps you adopted a dog that has never lived in an urban environment before? Let’s talk about how to desensitize your dog to loud cite noises.

Unfortunately, there can be some unexpected consequences of city life for your dog - namely a reaction to loud or “scary” noises. Fear of noises in dogs manifests in anxiety and leads to destruction, self-harm, escaping, shaking, whining, excessive drooling and more. Here’s what you need to know to help your pup:

Loud Noises Trigger Anxiety

Even people who first move to the city encounter a time of adjustment.  Chicago is wonderfully colorful, busy, and loud. We can drown out some of the noise with headphones and earbuds, but our furry friends aren’t so lucky.  For those dogs with exceptional hearing that are prone to anxiety, behaviors can change for the worse.  New puppies and grown dogs who grew up in the burbs may need an adjustment period.

According to the American Kennel Club, “Thunder, fireworks, and loud vehicles are probably the most common noise phobia triggers.  Dogs’ sensitivity to changes in barometric pressure can trigger fearful reactions to thunder long before humans even hear it.”

Dog Noise Phobia Treatment: Getting Your Dog Used to Scary Sounds

First, you can help get your dog used to noises by slowly exposing them to low-level noises. Play videos of your dog’s triggers, such as fireworks or thunder, on your phone quietly. Then, slowly increase the noise to the point that your dog isn’t exhibiting fearful behaviors but tolerating the noise.

Do this over many sessions. This may take months to achieve. If at any moment the dog acts fearful, stop the recording. Then, the following session, start playing the recording again on a lower volume.

According to the Pet Health Network, “Keep going until the sound is booming through your home and your dog (or cat!) could care less. This can work with doorbells, thunder, truck engines, clippers, crying babies, or any sound that triggers any reaction in your dog.”

What You Shouldn’t Do When Your Dog is Afraid of Loud Noises

First, reassuring your anxious dog through pets, cuddles, and treats may reinforce the fearful behavior. You should behave normally to show your dog has nothing to fear in that situation.

Second, don’t punish your dog for being fearful. That will only make them more fearful. Allow them to hide or do what comes naturally to them. Note what triggered the sound so you know what to except next time.

Lastly, don’t force your dog to go near the loud noise. They may panic and become aggressive. Again, allow them to retreat to their safe space.

What You Should Do to Desensitize Your Dog to Loud City Noises

When a general fear becomes a phobia, there’s more work that needs to be done to mitigate unwanted behaviors. If you have a dog with a noise phobia or been around a dog with a noise phobia, you know how difficult it is to manage. Here are some ideas on how to calm your dog when they are afraid of loud noise or to simply desensitize them to city noises:

• Pressure wraps may be used to calm a severely anxious dog. It is a garment the dog wears that applies steady pressure. This technology is used to calm humans with anxiety, as well. Several retailers sell dog pressure wraps.
• Create a safe space for your dog. If you crate your dog, this is a perfect safe space to go to during a storm or other noisy event (like the Air and Water Show). If your dog prefers to hide under a bed or other cozy spot, let them do that. This is a safe place they’ve chosen for themselves. Just remember, if your dog likes to lay in their crate, leave the door open. If they try to escape with the door closed, they may hurt themselves.
• Attempt to distract your dog. This works best during the early stages of fear. Play fetch, fill a Kong, or give them lots of treats for following commands. The longer you can keep their attention, the longer you can keep them from becoming uncomfortable.

Some basic training helps curb anxiety from noise fear, but sometimes even more drastic measures are taken for these cases. If the strategies you can do at home don’t work, the next step is to discuss your dog’s wellbeing with their vet. There may be medical interventions in the form of medications they can offer for relief.

How K9 University Can Help

As a Chicago-based dog training and boarding facility, we’ve seen all manner of noise-related behaviors. If you get to the point that you feel you need extra guidance and private training, the experts at K9U Chicago can help.

Don’t let your dog’s fear of loud noises curb your need to explore the city with your pooch. We’ll help you with desensitizing your dog to loud city noises and getting them feeling and acting less anxious in no time!

THIS ARTICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AT: https://k9uchicago.com/blog/desensitize-your-dog-to-city-noises/