[Staffi Lover!]

Lol ok I dont think she smells that bad once been washed apart from a little damp but once she is dry she does smell alot better.

But I'm going to get some grooming stuff to see if this is better, my furminator is on the way!

What other products do you use instead of washing your dog?

[Dopeydawg]

Hi,
What's a furminator?

I don't bath my dog either. He just gets brushed quite regularly to remove all the debris and loose hair.

I used to use some stuff years ago that you rubbed very sparingly on the coat. It was called Royal ...? It lasted for years and I'm sure I lost my tub before the thing actually ran out.

[thegroomingpad]

It is not recommended to wash you dog too often as it can take the natural oil out of the skin, human shampoo is not suitable for dogs as it is made for a different type of hair and skin type, its best to stick to stick to dog shampoo
Ann

[labradorian]

Yes, please avoid using human shampoos on dogs since some of its ingredients are not suitable for dogs and can cause hair loss and breakdown on their natural oils. Just use the dog shampoo instead and don’t forget the conditioner. =)

[Pupcake]

Actually as long as you use a mild shampoo that doesn't strip the coat of protective oils, there's nothing wrong with washing a dog as often as it's needed.

The whole claim that dogs shouldn't be given a bath more often than once a month or even less (or it ruins their coat, blah, blah, blah) is just as silly as when people used to think that they shouldn't shower/bathe regularly because it's "unhealthy".

Shampoos made with natural detergents (e.g. coconut shampoo base etc.) and without harsh chemical ingredients can be used frequently and will not disrupt the skin balance in any way, unlike harsh soaps and shampoos you find at mass retailers and department stores. True skin nourishment comes from the inside anyway.

One thing a lot of people also don't take into consideration is that being "dirty" today has a completely different meaning than for example 50 years ago. There is so much more pollution now, both from above (air, rain) and below (car tires abrading on asphalt, dust binding pollutants and settling etc.) and dogs generally are lower to the ground than people, they can't change their clothes every day, so they are much more exposed to it.

Taking my own dog for example, he currently gets a bath once a week since both his obedience and agility classes are at a public park in a huge city, in areas where other dogs pee and poop, it's hot, and there's no denying he picks up a yucky smell from that. I rinse his feet with plain water every time after we exercise (walking, biking, rollerblading), but on Thursdays after agility class I shampoo him down.

His skin has truly benefitted from this and the frequency certainly doesn't harm. The key is finding a product that works, which might take a little experimenting. I've been through ones that were ok on the skin but left the coat too "oily", some that made the coat nice but were too drying on the skin and so on.

My personal favorite products are "Earthbath" (especially the oatmeal and aloe, which has a really yummy vanilla scent) and Buddy Wash by Cloudstar.

[r8rpwr]

I bathe my dogs probably every couple of months. They're mostly inside dogs.

[Dopeydawg]

I still don't know what a 'furminator' is?

I completely disagree with you, Pupcake.
Since you say yourself that it is difficult to find a shampoo that suits your dog I think it proves the point.

A dog is a dog. It never has and never will smell like a human. Dogs have very sensitive noses and although these things may smell pleasant to you, it may actually be very unpleasant for the dog.

If your dog gets dirty then it's coat is meant to be brushed and the dirt removed. But then again I think there is some disagreement as to what actually happens to human hair when it is overwashed.