What's the best way to bathe your dog in the summer

In summer, it is reasonable to increase the bathing frequency appropriately due to the hot weather, high activity level and easy sweating of the dog, as well as the possibility of frequent contact with soilable environments such as grass and puddles. However, excessive bathing may damage the natural oil protective layer of your dog's skin, leading to dryness, sensitivity and even skin diseases. Therefore, it is generally recommended that it is more appropriate to bathe your dog once every 7-14 days, and the specific frequency needs to be adjusted according to the dog's breed, age, health condition, living environment and personal habits. For example, long-haired dogs, allergy-prone or sensitive-skinned dogs may need more frequent cleaning, while short-haired, tougher-skinned dogs can appropriately reduce the number of baths.

Preparation before bathing
Choose the right shampoo and conditioner: Depending on the dog's skin type (e.g. dry, oily, sensitive), coat type (long, short, curly, etc.) and whether there is a history of skin disease, choose mild and non-irritating pet-specific shampoos and conditioners. Avoid using human shampoo and conditioner as the ingredients may cause irritation to your dog's skin.
Preparation tools: In addition to the shampoo and conditioner products, prepare a large towel, comb (for combing the hair before bathing to minimize tangles), bath tub or shower nozzle, rubber gloves (to protect the skin of the hands), lukewarm water (to avoid irritating the dog's skin with overly hot or cold water temperatures), and possibly earplugs or waterproof caps (for dogs with sensitive ears or those who are prone to water ingress).
Check your dog's health condition: Check your dog for any wounds, skin diseases or other health problems before bathing, and seek medical attention and postpone the bathing program if there is any abnormality.
Bathing steps
Grooming the coat: First, comb your dog's coat thoroughly with a comb to remove dead hair, clumps and impurities, making it easier to lather and clean during bathing.
Wet the coat: Slowly drench your dog's entire body with warm water, taking care to avoid sensitive areas such as the eyes, ears and nose. You can use a bath tub or shower head to ensure the water is the right temperature.
Apply Shampoo: Apply an appropriate amount of pet shampoo evenly to your dog's coat, especially to areas that tend to get dirty such as the soles of the feet, the belly and the base of the tail. Gently rub and massage with your hands to allow the lather to penetrate deep into the roots of the coat. Avoid direct contact of the shampoo with your dog's eyes, ears and mouth.
Rinse Thoroughly: Thoroughly rinse the lather off your dog with water to make sure there is no residue. You can use your hands or the shower head to carefully rinse each section, especially behind the ears and underarms where lather tends to remain.
Apply Conditioner (optional): For dogs with long hair or hair that is prone to tangles, conditioning with conditioner can be used to make the coat softer and easier to comb. Again, it needs to be rinsed out thoroughly.
Dry the coat: Use a large towel to gently dry your dog, especially on areas that tend to get cold, such as the belly and inside of the limbs. Be careful not to rub too hard as this may damage the skin or coat.
Air dry naturally or blow dry: If the weather permits and your dog does not resent it, you can let it air dry naturally. However, in most cases, it is recommended to use a hair dryer or a pet-specific drying box to completely dry your dog's coat to prevent colds or skin diseases. Keep a distance when blow drying and use a low temperature and soft wind speed to avoid burning your dog's skin.
Precautions after bathing
Observe the dog's reaction: After bathing, pay attention to observe whether the dog has any abnormalities such as reddening of the skin, itching, hair loss, etc. If there are any, consult a doctor promptly.
Keep the environment dry: Make sure your dog's living environment is dry and ventilated to avoid dampness that can cause skin diseases.
Regular combing of hair: Comb your dog's hair regularly after bathing to keep it neat and beautiful and to minimize tangles.
With the above steps and suggestions, you can provide your dog with a bathing experience that is both clean and comfortable in the summer. Remember to flexibly adjust the bathing frequency and care method according to your dog's actual situation!