Bathing your dog does not have to be a dramatic battle of human vs. dog...A battle that usually ends in everyone ending up soaking wet, frustrated, resentful, angry and scared+ That is not very blissful at ALL!
With a Bit of Blissful Planning bathing your dog can be a pleasant experience for you BOTH. OK, if not actually PLEASANT it can be done quickly and efficiently. We'll help you every step of the way...except for actually helping you BATHE your filthy dog.
We've gathered all levels of tips, hints and sage level wisdom on how to bathe your dog in a more Blissful Manner. Caveat; These tips are for short-coated dogs and coated dogs with minimal or no tangles or mats. Seek advice of a professional groomer or vet if your dog is heavily matted.
If you haven't selected which of our products you need for grooming your dog here's a quick link - Blissfully Clean Dogs.
While it may not feel like it...YOU are in charge of how the dog bathing event unfolds. Part of what makes dogs perfect companions is their emotional connection to us. That connection allows them to pick up on our mood virtually immediately!
If you keep it a Happy, Fun, Serene Bath Time Mood your dog will absorb that mood and stay calm. If you become frustrated, impatient (fill in your go-to annoyed emotion) your dog will pick up on that in a flash! It may sound corny, but deep breaths DO help!
Don't Rush! Allow plenty of time to make bath time positive and maybe even fun.
Let anyone else in the household know you are bathing your dog and to be quiet OR come in and help!
Talk to your dog in a calming, upbeat tone throughout it all. Go ahead, use that silly voice (we all do it). Sing that cute song you made up for them. Keep the mood fun!
If you DO feel yourself getting frazzled, stop and breathe. If needed, finish the bath quickly and end on a happy note.
If dog bath time has not been your happy place here are a few ideas. Decide RIGHT NOW this time is going to be different! Bliss Tip- Have a calm, trusted someone be there with you. If you need to step away, they can keep the dog in the tub.
You CAN create a positive dog bathing experience. We're rooting for you! We're all rooting for you!
You're better to have the thing and NOT need it, than not have the thing and NEED it. -reddit-2025
Seriously, you do NOT want to be fumbling for a towel when you drop the ONE towel you have in the tub!
Suggested Supplies
• Your Chosen Blissfully Clean Dog Shampoo or Soap, Flawless Finish Conditioner (if needed) and Shine-On+Sheen Coat Spray
•Relax Dog Aromatherapy(You'll Thank Us Later)
• Towels (at least three)
• Cotton balls - put in ears to keep water out
• Yummy treats
• Optional–Collar & lead
• Optional–Mineral oil for eye protection
• Optional–Bathing gloves or scrubber
• Optional–Cup/bowl to pour water
Outside/Backyard Dog Bathing Pros
• Great during good weather
• Clean-up is easy
• Garden hose is available
Outside/Backyard Dog Bathing Cons
• Not an option in bad weather
• Hose only has cold water
Bathtub Dog Bathing Pros
• Easily available
• Holds virtually all sizes of dogs
• EZ to contain dog
• Clean-up is easy-ish
Bathtub Dog Bathing Cons
•May bother your back
• Bathroom gets MESSY
Kitchen/Utility Sink Dog Bathing Pros
• Easily available
• Only for tiny to small dogs
• EZ to clean
• EZ on your back
Kitchen/Utility Sink Dog Bathing Cons
• Sanitary concerns
• Dog size limitations
Many car washes have dog bathing options (gotta make that clear- in a building adjacent to the car wash). DIY dog bathing spots are popping up in pet shops, training facilities...ask around or Google it.
Plus, quality dog bathing tubs are available for the dedicated home dog bather. Here is a link to Chewy's selection of all prices of dog tubs.
Look at you! You've gathered your supplies, chosen the best spot for bathing your dog and you are calm, zen-like and relaxed. LET'S DO THIS!
First, let's define short (or shorter) coated dogs. For our purposes short coats are less than 2" or so long. Short coats do not tend to form matts or tangles. Breed/Type examples are in the image above.
Make sure your dog is securely contained in the bathing area.
Step 1:Saturate their coat completely from their ears back. Do NOT spray them in the face. They hate that and will never forget it (trust us on that one).
Many of our shampoos are formulated to be diluted, check the bottle. As a rule of thumb you can mix 50/50 shampoo and water for ease of application. Premix in a separate bottle or bowl and discard any unused shampoo.
Step 2:Pour shampoo into your hand and apply to your dog. Gently work up a lather with your fingers. Cover all the bits and pieces and work up a lather. Some shampoos work better if allowed to sit on the dog (Bye Bye Bug/Bye Bye Boo Boo, Razzle Dazzle). Usually 3-5 minutes is enough.
Step 3:Starting from the ears back, rinse the shampoo/soap off of them. When you are 100% sure there is no shampoo left...rinse again.
Step 4: Next, let them SHAKE! That is a big deal to your dog and fun to watch. Then towel them to the level of dryness desired.
Step 5:After towel drying your dog follow up with SHINE ON + SHEEN Coat Spray. SHINE ON + SHEEN closes the cuticle and seals and protects the coat. This step enhances shine and sheen on your dog's coat. Plus, their coat is now hydrated, stronger, smoother and your dog is ready to greet their adoring fans.
Bathing Tips for Medium to Long-Coated Dogs That Have No/Minimal Matts, Tangles or Undercoat
For our purposes, Medium to Long-Coated Dogs have 3” or longer coats. These coats may have undercoat or a tendency to tangle or matt. These breeds are often professionally groomed or professionally groomed a couple of times a year, and the owner keeps up with maintenance. Examples of breed/type are in image above.
If your dog has dense undercoat, matts, tangles, etc., they must be brushed out/clipped/groomed before bathing. Go to the next section of info for details.>>>
Step 1:Saturate their coat completely from their ears back. Do NOT spray them in the face. They hate that and will never forget it (trust us on that one).
Diluting: As a rule of thumb you can mix 50/50 shampoo and water for ease of application. Premix in a separate bottle or bowl and discard any unused shampoo.
Step 2:Pour shampoo into your hand and apply to your dog. Gently work up a lather with your fingers. Some shampoos work best if allowed to sit on the dog (Bye Bye Bug/Bye Bye Boo Boo, Razzle Dazzle). Usually 3-5 minutes is enough.
Step 3:Starting from the ears back, rinse the shampoo/soap off of them. When you are 100% sure there is no shampoo left...rinse again.
Step 4: Next, let them SHAKE! That is a big deal to your dog and fun to watch. Then towel them to the level of dryness desired.
Step 5:After towel drying your dog follow up with SHINE ON + SHEEN Coat Spray. SHINE ON + SHEEN closes the cuticle and seals and protects the coat. This step enhances shine and sheen on your dog's coat. Plus, their coat is now hydrated, stronger, smoother and your dog is ready to greet their adoring fans.
Blow Drying Tips If using a blow dryer to dry your dog, use the lowest temperature setting. Test it by holding it an inch from your skin - if it feels too hot - IT IS!
Use the blow dryer to blow out any loose undercoat or loosen mats or tangles. Your dryer is brushing the dog! Any mats or tangles that may still be there can then be easily worked out. If you do not use a dryer, gently towel dry your dog. Gentle is key to not break wet, delicate hair.
* These tips are for short-coated dogs and coated dogs with minimal or no tangles or mats. Seek advice of a professional groomer or vet if your dog is matted.
Bathing Tips for Medium to Long-Coated Dogs That Have Some Matts, Tangles or Undercoat
If your dog has a dense undercoat, matts, tangles, etc., they must be brushed out/clipped/groomed before bathing.
Step 1:Determine to what degree your dog is matted/tangled, etc. If extensive, consult with your groomer or veterinarian. If you have experience dealing with matts, etc., go for it! When you can easily run a comb thru their coat, proceed to bathing.
Step 2:Saturate their coat completely from their ears back. Do NOT spray them in the face. They hate that and will never forget it (trust us on that one).
Diluting: As a rule of thumb you can mix 50/50 shampoo and water for ease of application. Premix in a separate bottle or bowl and discard any unused shampoo.
Step 3:Pour shampoo into your hand and apply to your dog. Gently work up a lather with your fingers. Some shampoos work best if allowed to sit on the dog (Bye Bye Bug/Bye Bye Boo Boo, Razzle Dazzle). Usually 3-5 minutes is enough.
Step 4:Starting from the ears back, rinse the shampoo/soap off of them.
Step 5:When shampoo is rinsed from your dog's coat, apply the conditioner the same way you did the shampoo. Allow it to sit 3-5 minutes.
Step 6:Starting from the ears back, rinse the conditioner off. When you are 100% sure there is no shampoo left...rinse again. Next, let them SHAKE! That is a big deal to your dog and fun to watch. Then towel them to the level of dryness desired.
Step 5:After towel drying your dog follow up with SHINE ON + SHEEN Coat Spray. SHINE ON + SHEEN closes the cuticle and seals and protects the coat. This step enhances shine and sheen on your dog's coat. Plus, their coat is now hydrated, stronger, smoother and your dog is ready to greet their adoring fans.
Blow Dryer Tips: If using a blow dryer to dry your dog, use the lowest temperature setting. Test it by holding it an inch from your skin - if it feels too hot - IT IS! Use the blow dryer to blow out any loose undercoat or loosen mats or tangles.
Skadi, our Great Pyrenees/Leonberger lives in far northern Minnesota and considers a few degrees below zero to be balmy. She has the thickest undercoat imaginable. In the spring we start running a grooming rake thru her coat and eventually when undercoat loosens we know spring is here and we can start brushing her.
1) Open package & admire your dog’s soap! Read the cute stuff on outside of the box.
2) Check out the net bag it is tucked into. The bag is a washing/soap distribution system AND for storage.
3) When you're ready to begin bathing your dog, with the soap in the bag run warm water over the soap/bag and work up a lather
5) With your dog secured in the bathing area you’ve prepared, next rub the soapy bag all over them, avoiding their eyes and ears. Give them a good once over, from nose to tail. Optional: Allow them to sit with the suds on them for a few minutes. Suggested for Bye Bye Bug & Bye Bye Boo Boo Soaps.
6) Rinse thoroughly, then rinse one more time.
7) Towel them dry (or dry as normal). Let them run around and rip snort! That part of the bath is a big deal to dogs, let them cut loose if you can!
8) Congratulate yourself and your dog.
One more thing! What did the soap say to the sink? I'm feeling drained.
How does the soap like it's coffee? With 3x foam on top.