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Do you know how to wash your dog? Not every owner knows how to bathe, groom and take good care of their pets. Pekes are known for their long double coat thus it take a lot of effort to maintain their fur in order to prevent tangles and matting. A regular grooming regimen for your Peke is bathing, hair brushing and blow drying to ensure that his fur is in the best condition. And once you fully comprehend the proper way to groom your Peke, the said task would often become enjoyable and easy too.

Pekes doesn’t require frequent bathing. Ideally, bathe your dog every 2 weeks to keep him clean. Another thing to remember is that you should give a pH-balanced shampoo to your Pekingese so that his natural oils won’t be stripped off. Also, be sure to rinse your Peke thoroughly and let his fur to dry completely before you brush him. An anti-tangling spray can help you too as well as it keeps your Peke’s fur silky smooth.

How to wash your dog

* Do not bathe your dog too often because that will dry out the skin, deplete healthy oils from the coat and skin, and lead to scratching and irritation. Frequency is largely dependent on the breed and activities of the dog. Dogs who spend a lot of time outside or engage in outdoor activities that expose them to dirt, bugs and/or debris typically require more bathing, perhaps every 6 weeks or more frequently. Some groomers recommend bathing double-coated breeds only about 3 times a year and suggest that smooth-coated dogs can go a lot longer between baths than can curly-coated breeds such as poodles. Too frequent bathing can cause the coat to soften and reduce its insulating qualities. * To keep your dog clean between baths, brush vigorously and regularly — preferably daily. This is good for the coat and skin, and helps the dog look and smell good. If you are allergic to your pet, wear a mask when you brush…brush outdoors or onto a newspaper indoors to aid in clean up…and wash hands afterwards. * Remember that after being indoors during the colder months, a dog’s fur and skin can become dry. And if your dog grows an undercoat, you need to comb it out in warmer weather. If a dog’s fur gets matted, the skin cannot breathe — compelling the dog to scratch and pull out fur, which can result in sores. * Wait until a puppy is more than five weeks old before giving him his first bath. Preparing your puppy or dog for his first bath: * Things will go more smoothly if you introduce your pet to the idea of bathing before actually giving him his first bath. * Help your dog learn to trust you through such actions as touching the paws, handling the ears and opening the mouth several times a day. Praise positive responses and consider reinforcing good behavior with small treats. * Let the dog sniff grooming tools such as his comb, brush, clippers and tooth brush. As the dog becomes less timid and more accepting of the items, praise and if food-motivated, supplement the positive reinforcement with treats. * Let your dog get accustomed to the sound of running water. You can reinforce calm behavior and build a positive association by using verbal praise and treats. * If you plan to use a dryer, slowly introduce the dog to the dryer. Pet dryers are recommended over human blow dryers. * If you think the dog will balk at his first bath, you might want to have someone help you the first time. You want to make your dog’s first bath to be a good experience so that he will be accepting of future baths. Source: Paw Rescue, http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_Shampoo.php

Step-by-step process:

Wet your Peke’s hair with lukewarm water, see to it that it isn’t too hot. Lather in generous amount of your dog’s shampoo and work it thoroughly. Pay extra attention to your dog’s hindquaters as this is the area that tends to be more dirtier. Using your fingers, wash your doggie’s face using water and a little bit of shampoo. Avoid getting shampoo into their eyes and ears! Wipe off any debris from your pet’s mouth and check the water temperature again. Water that is too cold will make them sick. Rinse away the shampoo carefully off your dog’s body. Do not in any way pour water directly on his face or ears. If possible, put cotton balls in the ears to prevent any water from getting in. Water in the ears can make your Peke prone to infections. Dry your Peke with a clean and soft towel. Don’t over toss his hair as it may end up being tangled. Brush the hair and spray some anti-detangling spary if needed. Using your pet blower, blow dry his hair in low setting. Brush the hair as you blow it to the direction of its growth. Now, your Peke is all set to go!

And that is the proper way on how to wash your dog. I know that it isn’t easy to wash them, especially for the first time owners but it is part of your responsibility. Having a pet is just like having your own kid, if you can’t handle that then you shouldn’t own one.

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