Many of you may already know that my mom owns a dog daycare that also has a self-serve dog wash and full service grooming.  I go to work with her everyday, along with my doggy brothers and sister, to make sure she does everything right.  I get to see all the dogs who come to play in daycare and I get to watch the dogs being washed by their parents in our self-serve dog wash.  The daycare dogs are always happy to be here but the dogs being washed look very unhappy, especially the older dogs.  They look so tired and sad.  So I thought it might be helpful if I had my mom research how to make bathing or grooming your older dog easier.  Here are some ideas she came up with that I, Dallas the Diva Dachsie, endorse.

1.  Most dogs get a little stressed at the thought of a bath and older dogs can get particularly stressed  and exhausted.  Try to make the experience as calm as possible.  Speak in a low, soft, calming voice the whole time.

2.  Spend a little time prior to the bath petting and lightly massaging your dog to calm and reassure them.  This is also a good time to check for any new lumps or bumps that you should bring to the attention of your dogs veterinarian.

3.  Use a ramp or lift your dog into the tub.  Older dogs may have arthritis or sore muscles and joints that make climbing into a tub difficult and painful.

4.  When shampooing your older dog, rub extra gently as skin becomes more fragile with age and can become irritated easily or even tear.  Also, be sure to use a gentle emolient shampoo and follow up with a lightweight aloe conditioner to soothe the skin and prevent drying.  If your dog has skin allergies or hot spots, use a hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner or a medicated shampoo from your veterinarian.

5.  Try to keep the whole grooming process shorter rather than longer.  Older dogs may be unable to stand for the entire time.  The less time you take to bathe and groom them the easier it will be for them.   Let your dog be in the most comfortable position, which may be laying down. If possible, do any brushing and nail trimming at home in advance of the bath.

I hope you find these suggestions helpful in making the bathing experience as pleasant as possible for your older dog and for you .  Happy grooming!!!