Dog Bath

Yer bath tub = free!

I second the bathtub. The key is to have the type of shower head that's on a hose so you can easily wet and rinse the dog (and clean the tub afterwards.)

If you don't have that type of shower head, it's really easy to install--just make sure to wrap the pipe threading with the teflon tape that (should) come with the shower head to prevent leaks.

OpossumQueen wrote: I second the bathtub. The key is to have the type of shower head that's on a hose so you can easily wet and rinse the dog (and clean the tub afterwards.)

If you don't have that type of shower head, it's really easy to install--just make sure to wrap the pipe threading with the teflon tape that (should) come with the shower head to prevent leaks.

I agree, those make it 9000% easier. Otherwise, a decent sized bucket and a friend are not horrible either.

Watch the soap, should you go this route. Many dogs have somewhat sensitive skin to the human soaps we use. Doggy soap doesn't cost much and is worth it.

Scrub scrub scrub!

I have a decent sized, very hairy dog and one $9 bottle of slightly scented dog shampoo lasts several baths, maybe 4+, even though it seems like I just keep pouring more and more on him while bathing him. Rinse well or it will irritate their skin.

Oh, and a bath tends to loosen loose hair so once the dog dries out after a bath is a great time to get some effective brushing done.

I've been working on making it less of an unpleasant experience for my pup, and I think it's working--he actually hopped into the tub on his own today, a first!

To make it better, I usually smear some peanut butter on the tile where I want his head to be to help make it a positive experience while getting him into appropriate scrubbing position.

The dog shampoo+my time+washing a few towels seems much cheaper than any of the grooming places around here.

PHrez wrote: won't all the dog hair clog up my pipes?

You can get a screen at the dollar store if you are worried about it. They fit right in the drain.

PHrez wrote: won't all the dog hair clog up my pipes?

Buy a bottle of regular bleach and pour it down the drain when done it will keep the clogs away.

I didn't have a telephone shower thing so a got a light weight garden hose and hooked it up to the bathroom sink ( the hose looks like a slinky). If you have a relatively new bathroom sink the aerator can be unscrewed and a hose adapter screwed in. Most hardware guys know what to use. The bigger problem is how the pros dry the dogs. I think some Yorkie died in one of those drying boxes.

pitu wrote: [quote=stacey][quote=PHrez]won't all the dog hair clog up my pipes?

Buy a bottle of regular bleach and pour it down the drain when done it will keep the clogs away.

noooooooooooo! (and hi stacey!)
bleach is super bad for the environment and seriously unnecessary! Use baking soda, followed by white vinegar. It makes a little volcano, so invite the kids...
but it also cleans the drain and is environmentally sound.

Thanks for enlightening me - I didn't know that. I will definitely switch to the baking soda and vinegar. And if it looks that cool maybe it will get my son to do the cleaning of the bathroom - so two benefits in one.

Miss ya girl xoxox

there is a pet store called Who's Your Doggie in Ft. Greene on Adelphi St where you can wash your own dog...its like $20 and they supply you with a tub, shampoo, towels etc.

its a good spot...i brought my 80 lb lab mix there a few times.

http://www.whosyourdoggy.org/