As a dog owner, you must know that it is not easy to take care of your dog. They need a lot of maintenance. One crucial part of their maintenance is their hygiene. Maintaining your dog’s hygiene is essential for their good health. A clean dog is a healthy dog. And if you own a german shepherd, you need extra care in everything you do.
Bathing your german shepherd requires a lot of effort, especially if your gsd doesn’t like to take a bath. This article will help you to know how to bathe your German shepherd. It will also discuss the tricks to make this process a lot easier.
Essentials For Bathing Your German Shepherd Dog
A Non-Slippery Area
You need a non-slippery area to wash your german shepherd. If you want to bathe it outdoors, then use a non-slippery mat. You can also use a bathtub.
Dog Shampoo
Choose a shampoo that suits your german shepherd’s needs. It’s always best to use a mild shampoo. If you want to reduce the effort, use a shampoo that includes a conditioner.
Conditioner
Using a conditioner is optional. Use it if you want to give your dog a shiny look.
Cloth/Brush
Use a soft cloth or a brush for cleaning.
A large towel
You need a large towel to dry off your gsd. Or you can also use 2-3 towels.
Hairdryer
Using a hairdryer is again optional. Use it to dry your german shepherd’s fur well.
A Step By Step Guide On How To Bathe Your German shepherd
Brush Your German Shepherd’s Coat
You need to brush your german shepherd’s coat 3-4 times a week. But if you do it before the bath, it makes the bathing process much more manageable. Brushing your gsd removes the dead hair or any other particles stuck in your dog’s fur. It also removes tangles and mats from their fur.
Not doing this step can cause matting -especially with a long-haired german shepherd.
Coax Your Gsd Into The Tub
Coax the gsd into the tub or the area where you want to bathe them.
Begin Washing
Start the process by wetting your german shepherd. Start by pouring lukewarm water on their neck and move towards the tail. Water should be enough to reach the undercoat.
Don’t put water on the head first. When you put water over a dog’s head, they shake the body. You wouldn’t want them to shake their body when you try to get them wet.
Apply Shampoo
Lather the shampoo on the cloth or a sponge that you are using. Start applying the shampoo from the top of the head. After that, move to the chest, legs, and then sides. Remember to prevent any soap from contacting the eyes.
Use your fingers to scrub in a circular motion so that the shampoo reaches the undercoat. Be gentle when you do that. Also, leave the shampoo for some time, so it absorbs.
Rinse
Wash your german shepherd through and through. Do not leave any residues behind. Otherwise, that residue can make your dog’s skin dry.
If you use a sprayer, it will allow thorough washing.
Apply Conditioner
Apply the conditioner on the dog’s coat and brush it with a wide-tooth comb. Leave the conditioner for two minutes, then rinse again.
Drying
Dry your gsd using a towel. Use a large towel, or you can also use two towels to dry off their body. Drying your gsd well is essential. Otherwise, they will stink.
Use a Dryer
Use a dryer to dry the fur well. Make sure not to set the dryer to very hot—also, blow-dry in the direction of the hair growth. Doing otherwise will cause matting. Remember to use a dryer only if your german shepherd is comfortable with it. Some dogs might not like a machine near them.
Chamois Cloth
Once you have wiped all the water, use a chamois cloth to give your gsd a shiny look.
Tips For Cleaning Specific Body Parts
Below are some tips for cleaning specific body parts of your german shepherd.
How To Clean a German Shepherd’s Face
Many dogs do not like when you pour water on their face. Also, you need to prevent any soap or water from getting into your dog’s eyes. Take a face cloth and soak it in lukewarm water. Clean the face with it.
How To Clean a German Shepherd’s Ears?
A lot of dirt can get into a german shepherd’s ears and cause ear infections. It is the reason you should clean your dog’s ears every week. There are custom-made ear cleaning solutions for dogs. Use these solutions to clean your dog’s ears. Apply this solution on a wet cotton ball and clean the ear.
Important Tips To Follow
These are some tips you should follow for giving your german shepherd a stress-free bath:
- Do not use human shampoo on dogs. It damages your dog’s skin.
- Collect all the things you need in one place. It will be difficult for you to go and grab items while washing your gsd.
- Brushing your gsd beforehand is important.
- Start bathing them when they are young puppies. 3-4 months is the right age to bathe a german shepherd puppy.
How to Bathe a German Shepherd Who Hates Bathing
Bathing a german shepherd in itself is difficult. And it becomes even more challenging if you have a gsd that hates the idea of bathing.
Why do German shepherds hate bathing?
Knowing why your gsd doesn’t like to take a wash will help solve the problem better.
- Your gsd doesn’t like to get confined to one place.
- They might associate bathing with punishment.
What to do when your gsd does not like to bathe?
- Persuade them for a bath by giving them a treat. The treat can be their favorite food or toy.
- If you are washing your german shepherd in a bathtub, place a non-slippery mat or a towel on the surface. It will prevent falling. Also, use a similar mat if you wash them outside.
- Be gentle while putting any products on your gsd’s body. It will help to reduce their anxiety.
- Use a tearless shampoo.
- Use a mug or a pre-filled tub for washing your gsd. Avoid using a showerhead.
- While washing the head, pour water with a mug. Go slow when you do that.
- Once you have dried your german shepherd with a towel, let them dry their hair in an open area.
- Consult a professional dog trainer if their anxiety continues or gets worse.
How Often Should I Bathe My German Shepherd?
You don’t need to bathe your German shepherd daily. They are, by nature, clean. They have two coats. The topcoat shields them from the sun, dust, and other such particles. And the undercoat protects them from extreme weather.
This double coat includes natural oils. If you over-bathe your gsd, you would strip these oils-making their skin dry.
Some people bathe their german shepherds once in 2-3 months, and others wash them once in 3-4 months. The key is to avoid over-bathing. If you over bathe your German shepherd, you will strip the coat.
There are some factors that decide the frequency of bathing your german shepherd.
- How dirty does your german shepherd get?
German shepherds who play outdoors need more frequent bathing. The one who stays indoors more does not need regular washing.
- Season
You need to bathe your German shepherd more for pest control during flea season. If your gsd stinks during summers, then make their baths more frequent.
My Personal Experience
I have two german shepherd dogs: Jack and Liono. Jack was my first german shepherd dog. When he was a small puppy, he hated bathing. The tricks I mentioned above have helped me overcome his anxiety with bathing. With Liono, my experience has been different. He doesn’t hate bathing as much as Jack did.
FAQ’s
How do you clean a german shepherd’s fur?
Brush your German shepherd’s fur to remove any dead or loose hair. It will also remove dust particles. Also, while bathing your GSD, use mild shampoos to prevent any skin damage. You can also use custom-made de-shedding shampoo and conditioners. These products help in removing loose hair and cleaning your dog’s fur.
How do I keep my German shepherd clean?
The important steps to keep your German shepherd clean are:
- Frequent brushing of your german shepherd’s coat
- Bathing Keep your dog’s teeth, ears, and toenails clean.
How often should I bathe my german shepherd puppy?
Young puppies have a soft and thin puppy coat. So, they do not need to bathe often. You can bathe your small german shepherd puppy twice a year.
How often should I clip my dog’s nails?
When your dog’s nails come in the way of their movement, know that it’s time to cut them. The frequency of clipping your dog’s nails depends on their lifestyle. If your dog runs on pavements or other hard surfaces, they will grind their nails themselves. Otherwise, check your dog’s nails once every week. Clip them if needed. Immediately handle if there are any broken or split nails. Also, you need a dog nail clipper to do that.
