Home Bathing: Shampoos, Conditioning, Techniques & More
As a dog owner, it's important to keep your furry friend's coat clean and healthy. While regular grooming appointments at Loved Up Pup Dog Grooming can help keep your pup looking their best, you can also do some maintenance at home between appointments. Here's what you need to know about different types of shampoos and drying techniques, as well as how we use them in our salon.
Types of Shampoos
Hypoallergenic Shampoo
If your pup has sensitive skin or allergies, using a hypoallergenic shampoo at home can help keep their skin and coat healthy. At Loved Up Pup Dog Grooming, we use a gentle, fragrance-free hypoallergenic shampoo for pups with skin conditions. When bathing your pup at home, make sure to thoroughly rinse the shampoo out to avoid any irritation.
Flea and Tick Shampoo
If your pup spends a lot of time outdoors, they may be at risk for fleas and ticks. Using a flea and tick shampoo at home can help keep your pup pest-free. At Loved Up Pup Dog Grooming, we use a natural flea and tick shampoo that repels pests without the use of harsh chemicals. When using a flea and tick shampoo at home, make sure to follow the instructions carefully and avoid getting the shampoo in your pup's eyes.
Oatmeal Shampoo
Oatmeal shampoo can be a great choice for pups with sensitive skin or allergies. At Loved Up Pup Dog Grooming, we use oatmeal shampoo to help soothe dry, itchy skin. At Loved Up Pup Dog Grooming, this is the condition that we most often see in the salon, so this is the shampoo we use most often. If you’re using oatmeal shampoo at home, make sure to lather it well and leave it on for a few minutes to allow it to work before rinsing it out.
Shed Control Shampoo
If your pup sheds a lot, using a shed control shampoo at home can help reduce the amount of hair they lose. At Loved Up Pup Dog Grooming, we use a natural shed control shampoo that helps remove dead hair and promote healthy skin and coat. When using a shed control shampoo at home, make sure to massage it well into your pup's coat and rinse it out thoroughly to avoid any residue.
Conditioning
Conditioner is a vital part of the grooming process as it lubricates, softens, and nourishes the pup's coat. In Boise’s climate, most dog coats are dry and dusty, which can lead to matting and other issues. Conditioner helps to lubricate the coat, making it easier to brush out tangles and prevent matting. This is especially important for curly-coated breeds, which are more prone to matting and tangling.
Conditioning is also an important part of the deshedding process, as it helps to make hair slippery and easier to slide out of the coat. This is particularly important for double-coated breeds, which can shed heavily and need regular grooming to keep their coat healthy and shiny.
When bathing your pup at home, use a conditioner to match your pup’s shampoo. Make sure to work the conditioner through from the roots to the tips. Leave the conditioner in for a few minutes to allow it to penetrate the coat fully.
After a few minutes, you can start to brush your pup's coat out, using a slicker brush for curly coats and an undercoat rake for double-coated breeds. Brush from the roots to the tips, working out any tangles or mats gently. The conditioner will help to make the hair slippery and easier to brush out.
Once you have finished brushing, rinse your dog's coat thoroughly, making sure to remove all of the conditioner. Any remaining conditioner can irritate their skin, so it's important to rinse thoroughly. Run your hand through your dog's coat to check that all of the conditioner has been removed. Their coat should feel soft, smooth, and shiny.
Drying Techniques
Air Drying
After bathing your dog, you can let them air dry naturally. But make sure that they do not try to rub themselves against dry surfaces to dry themselves. When air drying at home, make sure your pup is in a clean, warm, draft-free area and towel dry them first to remove any excess water.
Heated Blow Dryers
If your pup has a curly coat, using a heated blow dryer at home can help define their curls. At Loved Up Pup Dog Grooming, we use a low heat setting and hold the dryer several inches away from your pup's coat to avoid any discomfort. When using a blow dryer at home, make sure to use a low heat setting and move the dryer around frequently to prevent any one area from becoming too hot.
High-Force Air Dryers
If your pup has a thick coat or long hair, using a high-force air dryer can help deshed and aerate their coat. However, we highly recommend getting your pup deshedded in our salon, since using a high speed blow dryer will send fur flying everywhere. If you do decide to use a high-force air dryer at home, make sure to use it in an outdoor area or a space that can be easily cleaned.
In conclusion, at Loved Up Pup Dog Grooming, we know that keeping your pup's coat clean and healthy is important for their overall well-being. While regular grooming appointments with us can help maintain your pup's coat, using the right shampoo and drying techniques at home can also make a big difference. By using the right products and techniques, you can help keep your pup looking and feeling their best between grooming appointments.
We hope this information has been helpful in guiding you through the different types of shampoos, conditioning and drying techniques available for your pup. If you have any questions or concerns about your dog’s coat or grooming routine, feel free to reach out to us at Loved Up Pup Dog Grooming. We're always happy to answer any questions and help!
Note: If your dog sheds a lot, has irritated or dry fur, make sure to check out our other posts on brushing and doggie nutrition for excess shedding issues and coat health.
