Deanna McIntosh
Forums Novice
I know shelties have long hair and that can get dirty easily and pick up a lot as they walk around, but I plan to take my sheltie with me to go hiking and kayaking so how often should I take him to the groomers?
How often should I bathe him?
- Thread starter Deanna McIntosh
- Start date
Caro
Moderator
Regular brushing will get a lot of dirt out of the coat. So bathing really depends on you, on the climate where you live, and your dog's skin.
You can give them a sponge bath and just wash down the outer coat if you want to wash more often (just put conditioner in the water that can be left on the coat, I use Plush Puppy Seabreeze Oil). I do weekly sponge baths as my dogs do therapy visits in a hospital and need to be clean and smell nice. I also have a light yellow couch and light quilt covers and live in Australia (dry and dusty) so like to wash the dust off. I do bigger washes more infrequently, maybe every 4-6weeks in Summer (although when Deska developed skin issues he needed soothing baths more often) and in Winter only if they need it.
However, when they do their 'Spring Shedding' mine get a few big baths and blow dries to get out undercoat. Washing loosens the undercoat that's falling out. I've got a bad back so have been taking my bigger dog to a groomer and just doing the smaller one (Tully) at home. Last month I took Tully to the groomer and the groomer got a lot of undercoat out - more than I ever did, so I will take her for a second grooming. It can take about 6-8 weeks for the undercoat to loosen enough, so if you don't want to do it yourself I suggest having 2 appointments in Spring to get out the undercoat. Just make sure the groomer does not do any clipping and they understand you only want a 'Spring' groom, basically the undercoat and clip the nails. It is really, really important you don't let a groomer you don't know well loose with scissors. Once you've developed a relationship with them you may be able to guide them with areas you may want groomed (feet and a poop chute trim - not a silly 'sanitary cut' where they cut off the pants), but be careful - many of us have horror grooming stories.
Btw - we did a lot of hiking (I live in bushland) with burrs and grass seeds. I rubbed baby oil on the lower parts of their coat before we hiked and that really helped prevent grass seeds getting caught and made them easier to remove. Plus it made the coats lovely and soft.
You can give them a sponge bath and just wash down the outer coat if you want to wash more often (just put conditioner in the water that can be left on the coat, I use Plush Puppy Seabreeze Oil). I do weekly sponge baths as my dogs do therapy visits in a hospital and need to be clean and smell nice. I also have a light yellow couch and light quilt covers and live in Australia (dry and dusty) so like to wash the dust off. I do bigger washes more infrequently, maybe every 4-6weeks in Summer (although when Deska developed skin issues he needed soothing baths more often) and in Winter only if they need it.
However, when they do their 'Spring Shedding' mine get a few big baths and blow dries to get out undercoat. Washing loosens the undercoat that's falling out. I've got a bad back so have been taking my bigger dog to a groomer and just doing the smaller one (Tully) at home. Last month I took Tully to the groomer and the groomer got a lot of undercoat out - more than I ever did, so I will take her for a second grooming. It can take about 6-8 weeks for the undercoat to loosen enough, so if you don't want to do it yourself I suggest having 2 appointments in Spring to get out the undercoat. Just make sure the groomer does not do any clipping and they understand you only want a 'Spring' groom, basically the undercoat and clip the nails. It is really, really important you don't let a groomer you don't know well loose with scissors. Once you've developed a relationship with them you may be able to guide them with areas you may want groomed (feet and a poop chute trim - not a silly 'sanitary cut' where they cut off the pants), but be careful - many of us have horror grooming stories.
Btw - we did a lot of hiking (I live in bushland) with burrs and grass seeds. I rubbed baby oil on the lower parts of their coat before we hiked and that really helped prevent grass seeds getting caught and made them easier to remove. Plus it made the coats lovely and soft.
Hanne
Forums Sage
I've never given Minnie (4½ y) a bath (no show dog)
The coat is self-cleaning, she is brushed every week 1-2 times
approx once a month one really "through brushing".
In the summer when she Shed, there is brushing every day.
(Minnie walks around puddles - but playing in mud she seems to be just fine)
The coat is self-cleaning, she is brushed every week 1-2 times
approx once a month one really "through brushing".
In the summer when she Shed, there is brushing every day.
(Minnie walks around puddles - but playing in mud she seems to be just fine)
ghggp
Moderator
I have always bathed my shelties ever 3 months. I have invested in a doggie spa in my basement. I had four shelties at one time so the cost of grooming got rather steep at $50 a dog. So, now I do it myself. I do walk around my neighborhood and have a grass yard so they don't really get dirty. I am sure everyone will have a different response to this question. I like a clean fluffy sheltie. They get brushed out every week with a pawicure too!
Piper's mom
Moderator
I'm like you Gloria, every 3 months (roughly) and in winter I take them to a pet store where they have a do it yourself bathing where I can blow them dry good.
And as Caro said, if you go to a groomer make sure they understand what you want done and if your not sure of them I'd stick around and keep an eye on them the first couple times. Some groomers don't understand that Shelties typically don't need much or any clipping.
And as Caro said, if you go to a groomer make sure they understand what you want done and if your not sure of them I'd stick around and keep an eye on them the first couple times. Some groomers don't understand that Shelties typically don't need much or any clipping.
Ann
Moderator
My dogs get bathed more frequently, the show dogs before each show, but also my companion and retired dogs because they all live in the house with us and I like them clean. I bought a baby bathtub that I put in my tub which keeps the dog in place and makes it easier to get the job done.
The simple answer for how often to bathe your puppy is when he's dirty. That may be once a month or once every few months. You'll know when his coat begins to look oily or he doesn't smell clean. Youll find you bathe less in the winter. You can stopgap with dry shampoos and conditioners but there's no substitue for a real bath. Get a shampoo made for puppies/dogs...don't use human shampoo! A dog's pH is different than ours and human shampoo can dry out the coat.
I blow dry my dogs with my hand-held hairdryer until they're nearly, but not completely dry. It's a good idea to train your puppy to both bathing and drying early! It's easier than waiting till he's an adult.
If you brush the coat at least weekly and spray with a good leave-in conditioning spray that will keep your puppy fresh between baths. I like the Buddy Wash products, which you can find on Amazon. I use Buddy Wash Lavender and Mint shampoo/conditioner combo and the conditioning spray in between. I love the smell!
If you choose to take your puppy to a groomer, make sure the one you choose knows how to groom Shelties. All too often we hear about groomers who trim Shelties horribly and take off the ruff and pants. Take a photo with you of a Sheltie who is properly groomed to show them to avoid this and give specific directions for what you want done.
The simple answer for how often to bathe your puppy is when he's dirty. That may be once a month or once every few months. You'll know when his coat begins to look oily or he doesn't smell clean. Youll find you bathe less in the winter. You can stopgap with dry shampoos and conditioners but there's no substitue for a real bath. Get a shampoo made for puppies/dogs...don't use human shampoo! A dog's pH is different than ours and human shampoo can dry out the coat.
I blow dry my dogs with my hand-held hairdryer until they're nearly, but not completely dry. It's a good idea to train your puppy to both bathing and drying early! It's easier than waiting till he's an adult.
If you brush the coat at least weekly and spray with a good leave-in conditioning spray that will keep your puppy fresh between baths. I like the Buddy Wash products, which you can find on Amazon. I use Buddy Wash Lavender and Mint shampoo/conditioner combo and the conditioning spray in between. I love the smell!
If you choose to take your puppy to a groomer, make sure the one you choose knows how to groom Shelties. All too often we hear about groomers who trim Shelties horribly and take off the ruff and pants. Take a photo with you of a Sheltie who is properly groomed to show them to avoid this and give specific directions for what you want done.
Shelby's mom
Forums Enthusiast
Shelby gets a bath every few months. Like others said we can tell when her coat is dirty and that is when she gets washed. She is brushed regularly and I do use a waterless shampoo. I do dilute it with some water so there is no buildup.
I also take her to the local pet shop where I can use their tubs and dryers. They often sell tickets $25.00 for 5 washes they provide towels and dog shampoo if you want it. Can’t beat $5.00 to not have to clean up my house after a dog bath.
I also take her to the local pet shop where I can use their tubs and dryers. They often sell tickets $25.00 for 5 washes they provide towels and dog shampoo if you want it. Can’t beat $5.00 to not have to clean up my house after a dog bath.
Sharon7
Moderator
When the couch cover and the dog beds start getting dirty, LOL. It depends on the dog too. Ally had oily skin and she would start to smell, so she got one about once a month. I would say we do our present dogs every couple of months. More if we go to the beach.
KarenCurtis
Forums Sage
I used to only give Sandstorm a bath twice a year, that's all he needed. I brush regularly, he's always had a clean coat with brushing. Now I have the doggie daycare bathe him, two or three times a year. Where I live by the coast it is sandy, no clay- most of the dirt will come out by brushing. Dirty paws just wipe clean!I've never given Minnie (4½ y) a bath (no show dog)
The coat is self-cleaning, she is brushed every week 1-2 times
approx once a month one really "through brushing".
In the summer when she Shed, there is brushing every day.
(Minnie walks around puddles - but playing in mud she seems to be just fine)