Daily walks in the park, playing in the grass or dirt and the overall physical activity of the dog are all factors affecting the smell of your pet. Especially in the summer odours can become more intense and even unpleasant. So when is it right to bathe your doggy? The longest period you can delay is 3 months, however we suggest you incorporate monthly bathing into your schedule. For dogs with more active lifestyles you can even opt for 2 times a month as a way of maintaining cleanliness. Head and Paw Shampoo with Aloe Vera and BABASSU oil are friendly to the dog’s skin and hair therefore are ideal for frequent use. Of course every dog is different and surely your vet can advise you more specifically by examining your little friend’s fur.

Often the bathing process is a ‘headache’ for both dogs and their humans. Although a few dogs enjoy being in the water, the majority don’t share the warmest feelings. This can happen for various reasons such as the a memory of a previous unpleasant experience associated with water, the way the bathing process occurs and the temperature of the water, or even because your doggy feels at risk of slipping or unable to escape.

So how can you make bath time an enjoyable experience for your dog and make your own life easier?

Bath preparation

Start by gathering everything you will need for the bath so that you don’t waste time while your dog is waiting in the bathtub. Try to attract the animal by calling and directing it to the bathroom. If it is reluctant to follow you try putting small treats leading to the area or even placing them in the tub. If your dog is completely negative towards the idea, give it some time and try again after a while. Under no circumstances should you yell or hit the dog because he doesn’t listen to you.

During the bath

Always control the water temperature and do not wet your dog with sudden movements. Choose shampoos that are respectful of the animal’s skin and coat. Head and Paw products have a mild action and gentle fragrance derived from natural ingredients and herbs. This means that they do not disturb the sense of smell of dogs who are generally repelled by artificial and strong smells. Apply the shampoo in a circular motion, massaging gently without pressing on various organs of the animal.

Try to keep the whole process short and methodical, avoiding hasty movements as they may increase the dog’s nervousness. If you find it difficult to keep it quiet in the bathroom, ask for the help of a second person but do not try to immobilise it because it will feel trapped. Adopt a firm but sweet tone of voice so that your dog understands that this is not a punishment.

After the bath

Wipe the dog calmly and allow him the time he needs to relax. If you must use a blow dryer, prefer a  low intensity volume and keep it at a safe distance from the animal’s body without directing the air towards its face. Finish the bath on a positive note by rewarding it with a small treat.

Daily grooming will remove excess hair and small particles that may have become entangled in the animal’s coat, keeping it clean until the next time they bathe. As for the nails, we recommend filing and trimming them at home using special tools or alternatively you can ask your vet to do this if you are finding it difficult to do it properly at home.

Both Aloe Vera, Babassu Oil and Keratin, active ingredients contained in Head and Paw Shampoo, help nails to grow stronger and stay healthy. So don’t forget to soap the paws generously with care during the bath.

Head and Paw household use shampoos are produced in Attica. Following strict international standards and regulations, all Head and Paw products are hypoallergenic, ISO certified and 100% safe for use on dogs.

The Head and Paw Shampoo range is available through a network of physical and online stores which is continually expanding. Search for your nearest store  in the list below. (available soon)

Head and Paw creates household shampoos that combine high production standards and professional results. All our products are manufactured without the use of parabens, silicone and artificial fragrances to ensure they are 100% hypoallergenic. Parabens are preservatives found in a plethora of cosmetic products which prevent the deterioration of their ingredients. At Head and Paw the shelf life of shampoos is ensured by using natural preservatives chosen as a non-harmful alternative, thus ensuring that all products remain fresh and safe to the maximum extent.

The Head and Paw Shampoo instructions for use are always written on the back of each package. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the following easy steps before attempting your dog’s first bath!

Step 1: Dilute the concentrated liquid in a ratio of 1 to 3 with water.

Step 2: Wet the dog’s fur, apply the shampoo and allow it to act for a few seconds. At the same time, gently massage the fur and skin with your fingers to thoroughly cleanse it.

 Step 3: Rinse with plenty of water until all the shampoo has been removed. Make sure that there is no soap on the animal’s face and eyes.