Most dogs on a regular grooming schedule need a bath at home only when they are dirty, not on a timer. The American Kennel Club says most experts recommend bathing as infrequently as possible to preserve the natural oils in the coat, and that the right number depends on breed, lifestyle, coat length and how much brushing happens at home. I bathe every dog twice as part of my full-service groom, done in the van around Lakeway, Leander and Cedar Park, so this post is about the weeks in between: when a home bath helps, when it can wait, and how to do one without leaving me a tangled coat to fix.
How often should you bathe your dog between grooms?
Bathe your dog between grooms when the coat is dirty or smelly, and otherwise let the next appointment do it. The AKC quotes groomer and author Jorge Bendersky on a test I like better than any calendar: "We should wash our dogs when they are no longer huggable."
For dogs with medium-to-large coats, Bendersky tells the AKC that a bath could be needed anywhere from weekly to every four to six weeks, as long as the coat is maintained between baths. My recurring clients book every four, six or eight weeks, so for many of them the groom already covers the bath and a home bath is only for the muddy days.
Does coat type change how often a dog needs a bath?
Coat type changes bath frequency more than coat length does. The AKC points out that it is not as simple as shorter hair needing fewer baths. Here is how the AKC's two bathing articles sort the common coat types.
| Coat type | Example breeds | What the AKC says about baths |
|---|---|---|
| Hairless | Chinese Crested, Xoloitzcuintli | Weekly baths. |
| Oily coat | Basset Hound | May need a bath as often as once a week. |
| Short and smooth | Weimaraner, Beagle | Bathed less frequently. |
| Water-repellent, oily | Golden Retriever | Bathed less often. |
| Thick double coat | Alaskan Malamute | Fewer baths, but a great deal of brushing. |
| Long coat | Maltese, Collie | More hair means more work, including more frequent baths. For medium-to-large coats, from weekly to every four to six weeks, if the coat is kept up between baths. |
Lifestyle moves the number too. The AKC notes that dogs swimming, hunting in muddy water or working outdoors all day may need more baths than dogs who spend most of their time inside, whatever the breed. Around Lakeway and Lake Travis, a dog who swims on the weekends is a different bathing case from the same breed who naps on the couch.
What can you do instead of a full bath?
A quick wipe-down often does the job of a full bath on a dog who is only surface dirty. Bendersky tells the AKC that a short-haired dog can get a good rubdown with a damp washcloth to lift the dirt from a busy visit to the dog park. For feet and legs after a wet walk, I would rather see a towel and a brush than a full shampoo every time.
Brushing is the bigger habit. The AKC quotes a groomer saying that thorough brushing, combing and conditioning matter more than bath time. A dog who is brushed through every few days stays cleaner, because the brush pulls out the loose hair and dirt that a bath would otherwise have to fight.
Why should you brush before the bath?
You should brush before the bath because water does not untangle a coat. The AKC's bathing steps start with brushing the dog thoroughly before washing to remove loose hair, dirt and debris. A bath does not take a knot out, and the AKC warns, writing about the Poodle, that a full coat not brushed and combed to the skin mats near the roots and has to be shaved off. If your dog has a coat that tangles, my post on how often a dog should be groomed covers how the schedule and the brushing work together.
How do you bathe a dog at home without causing tangles?
The way to bathe without causing tangles is to work with the coat, not against it. These are the AKC's steps, in the order I would do them:
- Use a shampoo made for dogs. The AKC says shampoo meant for people does not have the right pH for a dog.
- Use warm water, not hot.
- On a long coat, work the lather in the direction the hair grows. The AKC says this helps avoid tangles later.
- Go easy around the face. The AKC notes that even tearless shampoos can irritate a dog's eyes, and suggests minimal product there.
- Keep water out of the ears. A dog's ear canal is shaped like an L, and the AKC says water that gets down there gets trapped. Pinching the base of the ear closed while you wash the face helps.
- Rinse until the water runs clear, then keep going. One master groomer's advice to the AKC is "When you think you've rinsed enough then rinse some more."
- Use a conditioner. The AKC explains that shampoo strips out moisture and a dog conditioner keeps the coat from drying out.
How should you dry your dog after a bath?
Dry your dog with towels first, then low heat if you use a dryer at all. The AKC says not to use the hottest setting on a blow dryer and to hold it at least one foot away from the dog. Brush as you dry, in the direction the coat grows.
When should a puppy have their first bath?
A young puppy does not need shampoo at all. The AKC's puppy bathing guide says a warm wash rag is all a puppy needs until three or four months old, with dog shampoo and conditioner coming in after that. Gentle, short and warm is the whole goal, because a first bath teaches a puppy what baths feel like from then on.
When is a bath a question for your vet?
A bath is a question for your vet whenever the reason for it is the skin, not the dirt. If your dog is itchy, smells off soon after a bath, or has red, flaky or sore-looking patches, that is not something a home bath or a groomer should try to fix. The AKC notes that a vet may suggest a medicated shampoo for some conditions, and that call belongs to them. If I notice anything on the skin during a groom, I will tell you what I saw so you can ask your vet.
Let the groom do the heavy bathing
Every full-service groom starts with a double shampoo bath, blow-dry and brush-out, done one dog at a time in a van that carries its own water and power, so nothing is needed from your house. I work around Lakeway and the rest of my service area. Keep a towel by the door and a brush on the counter between visits, and save the tub for the days your dog stops being huggable.