Dogs are content to live in dog-smell heaven, a place where water is only for drinking or swimming and never has soap added. Sadly, from a canine point of view, we make the rules that dictate how often dogs must be bathed.
But how often is that? Forget that old saw about "every six months" or even "every year." Who wants to live with a stinky dog? New veterinary research shows that weekly bathing with an appropriate shampoo – ask your veterinarian for a recommendation -- will not only keep your dog pleasant to be around, but will also minimize or even eliminate skin problems.
So get ready: We're going to wash the dog!
Before you start, brush your dog well. Mats and tangles, once wet, just get worse and will likely have to be cut out. So get them out of the way first.
Let your brushed dog relax while you set up the proper equipment and fill the tub. A bath mat in the tub or sink will make your dog feel more comfortable by giving him something secure to stand on. You'll also need a spray nozzle. Some people rinse their dogs by pouring dirty bathwater back over them, but that defeats the purpose of bathing a dog (to get him clean), so use a nozzle. Set out your towels and some dog-friendly shampoo and conditioner where you can reach them.
Right before the big plunge, put a pinch of cotton just inside your dog's ears to help keep the soap out (don't forget to remove the cotton afterward).
Don't spare the words of love and encouragement. In working with dogs, a good attitude can go a long way, but a bad one can go even further. If your dog knows how much you hate bath time, how can he get a positive, or at least tolerable, opinion of the process? Keep your attitude high and don't let up on the praise.
Lather up, rinse and repeat (the biggest mistake most people make is not rinsing well enough -- it makes the coat dull and flaky). Follow up with a conditioner or detangler if your pet's coat needs either. Rinse throughly a final time.
Hold a towel over your dog loosely while he shakes. Your dog can get more water off by shaking than you can by toweling. So let him have at it, and then finish the job by rubbing him dry when he's done. (Forced-air dog dryers start at less than $100 and can be a wonderful investment for a dog owner, especially those with long-haired pets.)
Don't let your dog outside until he's dry, so he won't roll in something yucky and undo the work you've done.
And what about felines? While cats -- especially shorthaired ones -- generally do a pretty good job of keeping themselves well-groomed, if you have an allergy sufferer in the house, a weekly bath (or just a rinse with clean water) will help to keep the allergen levels to more manageable levels.
My cat gets a weekly bath because of my allergies. He doesn't like being bathed, but since I started him as a kitten he will tolerate it, more or less.
Q&A
Set the stage
for new love
Q: My dog doesn't like new people, but I have jumped into online dating with an eye to get married. When I meet someone, what's the best way to handle it so my dog accepts a significant other? -- via email
A: Meeting the family of a significant other is a major step in a relationship -- and introducing a significant other to your much-adored dog can be just as nerve-wracking. Both dogs and cats can be territorial and unhappy about change, but dogs are more likely to be possessive when it comes to their home turf, which includes their owners. So the new person in the household is often automatically associated with something negative, like the time and affection that you are suddenly lavishing on your date instead of your dog.
The good news is that there are several ways to help your dog not only tolerate such an interloper, but also gladly welcome him or her into the household. Before introducing your dog to a significant other, bring home something that your boyfriend or girlfriend has worn, like a T-shirt used for sleeping. Let your pup sniff the item first, and then present your dog with a reward, such as a game of fetch, a walk or dinner. By pairing the smell of your new partner with something positive, your dog begins to associate that person with good things before they even meet. You can also say your significant other's name out loud before you present the item and the reward, repeating this process several times.
When you're ready for the actual introduction, opt for neutral territory, like the park or an outdoor cafe. And let your dog approach your date first, while he or she stands sideways to the dog, avoiding direct eye contact. Supply your date with extra-special treats cut into bite-size pieces -- cooked chicken breast, turkey hot dogs or steak -- that he or she can feed the dog. If your pup is more timid, tossing the treats on the ground will suffice.
Once your dog has taken a few treats directly from your date's hand, do something that your dog really enjoys, such as going to the dog park or beach. Each time your dog looks up at your partner, have your partner offer a treat. Repeat this until your date is able to pet the dog, and continue to reward the pup with treats after every few strokes. You should stand nearby to supervise, but stay in the background, so the main affection that your dog receives comes from your significant other. If your dog relaxes and appears to enjoy the presence of your date, either walk back to your house together or ride in the same car. Once inside the house, have your partner hand the dog a favorite long-lasting chew or play a game of fetch.
For the first few visits, you should meet on neutral territory, such as the sidewalk or front lawn. And always say your partner's name as he or she approaches, allowing your date to reward the dog with treats, a game or a walk. If your dog shows discomfort, extreme stress or aggression at any point during the meet-and-greet with your partner, contact your veterinarian for additional advice. -- Mikkel Becker
(Do you have a pet question? Send it to petconnection@gmail.com.)
THE BUZZ
A healthy pet
is worth the bill
-- Although a quarter of people say their greatest worry about their pet is that the animal will get sick, less than half that number are concerned about the cost of veterinary care, according to a survey of 1,500 pet owners by PetMD. The survey also found that 34 percent of owners were able to say they knew what was best for their pet's health.
In other findings, 15 percent said they would automatically buy a product from a company that endorses a charity than from a competitor that did not. Two-thirds of those polled would not vote for a presidential candidate if they sensed he or she did not like pets, and nine in 10 would fight with more passion over a pet than over money in a divorce.
-- Ten years after the 9/11 attacks, canine rescuers show significantly less damaging health effects compared to humans who were involved in the rescue effort. According to a study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, the dogs did not develop problems with their lungs and sinuses in the aftermath, unlike the respiratory effects that have intensely affected humans with reactive airway diseases, including asthma and sinusitis. The majority of dogs received only minor scrapes and cuts, even though they were not wearing protective gear.
-- Chimpanzees will "fake laugh" for the sake of social bonding, similar to the way people do. A study searched chimpanzee laughing and found that when one chimp laughed, other chimps will respond with a sound that didn't match the full acoustic structure of real laugh, meaning they were actually faking it. The fake laughing was most likely to occur in newly formed colonies where chimps likely were not as familiar with each other.
-- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker
ABOUT PET CONNECTION
Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "Good Morning America" and "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are affiliated with Vetsteet.com and also the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Dr. Becker can also be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker.