A winning WASH

Dogs are content to live in dog-smell heaven, a place where water is only for drinking or swimming and never has soap added. Sadly, from a canine point of view, we make the rules that dictate how often dogs must be bathed.

Bathing the dog doesn't have to be a trial: Don't put it off until your dog stinks. But how often is that? Forget that old saw about "every six months" or even "every year." Who wants to live with a stinky dog? To keep your dog huggable, bathe him as often as needed - even if that means weekly - to keep the coat clean-smelling and get rid of the hair that's about to be shed. (Dogs with skin problems, of course, should be bathed according to the veterinarian's instructions, with products prescribed or recommended for the problem.)

So get ready: We're going to wash the dog.

Before you start, brush your dog well. Mats and tangles, once wet, just get worse and will likely have to be cut out. So get them out of the way first.

Let your brushed dog relax while you set up the proper equipment and fill the tub. A bath mat in the tub or sink will make your dog feel more comfortable by giving him something secure to stand on. You'll also need a spray nozzle. Some people rinse their dogs by pouring dirty bathwater back over them, but that defeats the purpose of bathing a dog (to get him clean), so use a nozzle. Set out your towels and some dog-friendly shampoo and conditioner where you can reach them.

Right before the big plunge, put a pinch of cotton just inside your dog's ears to help keep the soap out (don't forget to remove the cotton afterward).

Don't spare the words of love and encouragement. In working with dogs, a good attitude can go a long way, but a bad one can go even further. If your dog knows how much you hate bath time, how can he get a positive, or at least tolerable, opinion of the process? Keep your attitude high and don't let up on the praise.

Lather up, rinse, repeat and rinse thoroughly (the biggest mistake most people make is not rinsing well enough - it makes the coat dull and flaky). Follow up with a conditioner or detangler if your pet's coat needs either. Rinse well for a final time.

Hold a towel over your dog loosely while he shakes. Your dog can get more water off by shaking than you can by toweling. So let him have at it, and then finish the job by rubbing him dry when he's done. (Forcedair dog dryers start at less than $100 and can be a wonderful investment for a dog owner, except for those with shorthaired pets.)

Don't let your dog outside until he's dry, so he won't roll in something yucky and undo the work you've done.