For newbie dog owners, two tasks that they will soon need to do as part of proper care for their beloved pet is bathing and grooming. However, the question that they often ask is this: “Do you bathe a dog before grooming?”
This is a tricky question to answer though. Many professional groomers bathe the dog first before grooming because it is easier to brush a clean coat and remove the knots and tangles with the help of a blow dryer. Other groomers prefer to do some preliminary coat clipping and a full body brush before bathing the dog so that the coat can be more manageable after the bath.
Factors that Influence Your Decision of Bathing Your Dog Before Grooming
There are three factors that can influence your decision to bathe your dog before grooming (Pre-Bath Grooming):
1) The type of coat your dog has – in particular, if it is a short-haired, thick-coated, or long-haired breed
2) The condition of your dog’s coat
3) For what purpose you are grooming your dog – whether it is your dog’s regular grooming or as preparation for a dog show
In general, there are only three conditions wherein you can already give your dog a bath before grooming it:
1) If you keep your dog’s coat clean and mat- or tangle-free with regular brushing
2) If you have recently groomed your dog and its coat is still at a reasonable length
3) If your have a double-coated dog but with a short, minimal undercoat that is mat- and tangle-free
Regular Trimming is a Must
Regardless of whether you groom your dog before or after bathing, there are specific areas that you need to trim on a regular basis which can facilitate easier cleaning of your dog’s coat.
These areas are the following:
1) Hair around the eyes as this may cause irritation or block their vision
2) Hair around the anal area which may have dried, trapped feces
3) Hair in the chin and lower jaw area wherein food particles may get trapped. Trimming can also prevent the development of infections in the lips and chin folds.
4) Body parts where debris, such as weeds, grass, seeds, and burrs, got tangled or trapped in the hairs. Good examples are the hairs in the foot pads.
5) Body parts where there are tangles and matting
Let us now take a look at the standard pre-bath grooming procedures for the three coat types. Please take note that before you use any shampoos or other grooming products, always perform a skin test first under the direction of your vet to ensure that your dog’s skin will not get irritated.
Pre-Bath Grooming for a Short-Coated or Non-Shedding Dog
In most cases, short-coated dogs like Chihuahuas or Doberman Pinschers and non-shedding dogs like Malteses and Bichons can already be given a bath before grooming.
However, if you want to ensure that your dog’s coat stays healthy, a good pre-bath grooming procedure should start with a good brushing with a soft bristle brush to remove dirt and dead skin as well as to stimulate the release of natural skin oils. Dead hairs can be removed with a stiff bristle brush.
After bathing and drying your dog, rub its entire body with a chamois cloth or glove to give its coat a glossy sheen.
Pre-Bath Grooming for a Thick, Double-Coated Dog
German Shepherds and Retrievers are good examples of dogs with thick, double-coats. Because they are highly energetic dogs that love to go outdoors, their double coat can easily get dirty or matted. In addition, dirt can get trapped in the undercoat which can lead to skin irritation and infection.
Ideally, double-coated dogs should be brushed every week with a slicker brush to remove tangles. In some cases, if you bring your dog outdoors a lot, you may need to brush it on a daily basis in order to keep it tangle- and mat-free. If there are mats in the dog’s coat, trim them away with a pair of blunt pointed scissors. It is also advisable to trim away hairs from the dog’s foot pads and check in between its toes to remove grass, seeds, or dirt that have gotten trapped. To get the dirt and dead hairs out of the undercoat, switch to a stiff bristle brush. For the tail, use a fine-toothed comb or a soft bristle brush.
Pre-Bath Grooming for a Long-Coated Dog
Dogs with long, flowing coats like Cocker Spaniels and Afghan Hounds benefit from daily brushing to keep its coat clean, soft, and silky. Run a slicker brush gently through its coat to remove dead hairs and free tangles. Matted hairs that cannot be freed with the brush should be trimmed away with scissors. Switch to a bristle brush to keep the coat smooth and flowing. Same as with double-coated dogs, check its feet frequently and give the hairs there a good trimming.
Blow Drying Your Dog
No matter what type of coat your dog has, it is best to give it a good blow drying after you have briskly wiped it down with an absorbent towel. Blow dryers will not only speed up the drying process so that your dog will not get the chills. It also helps in fluffing up the coat and removing any dead hairs that still remain after a bath.
Grooming for Show
If your dog is competing in a show event and you want it to look its best, it is highly advisable to get the services of a professional groomer. They can best assess whether your dog needs to be given a pre-bath grooming. Most dog groomers prefer to do a preliminary rough clip before giving them a bath. After bathing, the coat is softer and more manageable, making it easier to trim into the desired doggy “hairstyle”.
Do you bathe a dog before grooming? If you still are trying to figure out the answer to this question, just take note of the handy advice that we have given above to aid you in grooming your dog.
