Parents and kids, want to show your dogs or puppies just how much you love them? Take them to the do-it-yourself dog wash.
First of all, you don’t want to scare your dog at the wash. Keep in mind that especially if he’s a puppy like our Hudson, he may be scared at first by the feel, look and sounds of the dog wash. Be gentle and patient. Bring plenty of treats!
When we first took Hudson to the dog wash, he was afraid to go up the stairs to the wash-and-groom area. We petted him, offered him treats, and made it fun for him. Once he was up there and we turned on the hose, he started to bark. You can watch our first attempt to wash him here:
Michael says, “This is fun!” while he’s washing Hudson. Parents, we’re sure your kids will enjoy grooming, too!
Eventually, Hudson thought being groomed was fun. He now loves being washed and brushed because he enjoys all the attention. He loves to be touched. And of course, the treats are a great bonus for him.
A few tips if you’ve got a shedder like Hudson. Prepare your dog by brushing out his fur before you get him wet. Once the fur gets wet, it’s harder to remove the tangles, say Katie O’Donnell, a groomer at Urban Fauna in Portland who has groomed Hudson. Ask the dog wash’s groomer to suggest shampoo and brushes that will work best for your dog. With Hudson, we often bring along shampoo for sensitive skin plus our Furminator, which removes a lot of the fur that’s often shed by Golden Retrievers like Hudson.
And, if your dog will allow it, use the blow dryer after he’s been washed and brushed, says Katie. That will also help cut down on shedding.
When you’re all done, be sure to tell your dog how handsome he looks. Admire him, pet him and show him how much you love him! The more positive the experience is for your dog, the more likely he’ll enjoy coming back.
For more fun dog facts for kids–plus tips about how kids can have fun with their dogs–be sure to click on this link: Michael’s Dog Blog. You can also see Michael’s videos–including his book reviews of kids’ dog books–by clicking here: Fun With Michael on YouTube. And don’t forget to show your dog how much you love him everyday–by brushing him, walking him, or throwing a ball with him (Hudson’s favorite activity).