How to bathe a Whoodle dog?

Dog owners are compassionate beings by nature, as they tend to take care of their pet dogs like family. According to many studies, it has been found that people who have dogs at home are more responsible and compassionate in their daily interactions with others. These studies provide valuable insights into why this is a common belief.

When dog owners bring a dog into their home, they take on a lot of responsibility. Keeping a pet involves more than just providing food and ensuring their health; there are many other factors to consider. Grooming, for instance, is one of the most crucial aspects of caring for a dog. It ranks high on the list of priorities, alongside food and health, as it ensures the dog’s physical and mental well-being.

Bathing is a crucial part of dog grooming, and its importance cannot be denied. If you have a Whoodle at home, taking care of the dog will also involve bathing it. This article will provide you with information on how to properly bathe a Whoodle puppy.

Step 1- Determine the Whoodle`s coat type before bathing it.

Before going into any other details, one important thing that needs to be checked is the coat type. This should be done before purchasing shampoo or any other such thing. The Whoodle coat can vary from puppy to puppy. Some of them have a curly coat, while others flaunt a wavy one. Knowing the type of coat is crucial to the bathing process as it will affect the number of baths a Whoodle can get per week, along with the kind of shampoo that would be needed to do the job.

If your Whoodle has a curly or wavy coat, bathing twice a week would be enough. There are lesser chances of the coat`s hair being entangled in such coats. With such curly or wavy hair, frequent bathing can be dangerous. It may lead to the stripping of the coat hair. Spot cleaning and regular brushing are sufficient to keep your Whoodle`s coat squeaky clean.

On the other hand, if your Whoodle has a straight hair coat, then it will require frequent bathing. Such coats tend to get dirty every time the Whoodle digs in somewhere, and the hair gets tangled easily. For their fur to be clean and in good condition, it’s crucial to use gentle shampoos made especially for that species and to bathe them according to the right procedures.

If you are unable to determine this, then you should visit the nearest vet to find out.

Step 2- Prepare the Whoodle puppy for the bath.

This step might not appear as important, but showing the Whoodle love and showering some treats before you take it for a bath will help you to bond with the animal. Demonstrating affection before the bath eases the Whoodle`s fear and helps build trust. It reassures the dog that bathing is not harmful and they will have fun.

In addition, you can offer treats to the dog right before the bath time, or after it, as per your Whoodle puppy`s response. This action will help the dog to connect bathing with a positive reinforcement, thus, lowering its fear. The treats and adoration will make the bathing process easier as the Whoodle puppy will not repel it. All this effort has to be done, as the dogs are intimidated naturally by the bathing process, especially if it has had any negative experience in the past.

Step 3- Choose a secure area for bathing the Whoodle.

The Whoodles may show a lot of resistance during and before the bath. This can be minimized if the place for bathing helps the Whoodle feel secure. You can do this by making the dog comfortable in that place before setting up the bath. If the Whoodle starts to panic, then terminate the process immediately, as continuing it can be harmful. You can also put your dog`s favourite toys near the bath area so that the dog immediately feels at home.

Once you bathe a Whoodle puppy in one place, continue to do so for the upcoming baths.

Step 4- Gather necessary supplies and keep them nearby.

Before going to the bath area, you must gather all of your bathing necessities. Some of the required things during bathing a Whoodle puppy are towels, a brush or comb, a gentle dog shampoo, cotton balls (for ear protection), and any other grooming supplies, such as nail or hair clippers. Having these things nearby will make the bathing process easier as you will not have to wait for anything.

If, in case, you forget to keep something with you, and the bathing process starts, then ensure to call for it or improvise, as your Whoodle will not appreciate you leaving it in the middle of the process to run for the accessory. This can associate a negative feeling with the bathing process.

Step 5- Brush the coat properly to remove tangles and mats.

Whoodles are extremely active and playful dogs, that keep moving around the house. This is one reason why their coats become dirty frequently. Before bathing a Whoodle puppy, brushing its coat is crucial. It helps to remove all the tangles and mats from the coat, making it feel lighter and cleaner already. This action also prepares the Whoodle for the bath.

If the coat is not brushed pre-bathing, the process can damage the coat as further entangling and matting during the bathing can be prevented.

Step 6- Check the bathing water`s temperature.

Before beginning to put the water on the dog, the bathing water`s temperature must be checked. The ideal temperature for the bathing water has to be lukewarm water, as it comforts the nerves of the Whoodle and is hot enough to clean all the dirt from its body. You can use your hand or a thermometer to check the temperature. Once assured that the water is lukewarm, you can begin to bathe a Whoodle puppy.

Step 7- Wet the coat properly and apply shampoo.

Wet your Whoodle’s coat completely using a vessel or a small handheld sprayer. Starting from the back of the head down, refrain from spraying water straight into the Whoodle’s eyes to prevent scaring him. Once the coat is completely wet, apply shampoo on the coat and rub it in to create a lather. Use your fingers and create circular motions on the coat, cleaning the skin from within the hair. This will help your Whoodle to calm down completely. Do it for a period of 3-5 minutes depending on the time recommended by the shampoo brand.

Do not use shampoo directly on the face. Instead, use a sponge or a piece of wet cloth to clean the dog`s face.

Step 8- Rinse off the lather completely.

Take your time to thoroughly rinse off all the lather created by the shampoo from your Whoodle’s coat. Use the small showerhead to pay special attention to areas that are particularly dirty or have an odour, ensuring they are properly cleaned. If necessary, you can apply a small amount of shampoo for a second round of cleaning. It is crucial to wash off every bit of shampoo from the skin, so make sure to rinse the dog’s coat thoroughly. It is recommended to rinse the coat twice to ensure complete removal of the shampoo.

Step 9- Dry the coat by wiping it off.

Drape your puppy in an absorbent towel after rinsing, then gently stroke dry the coat. Avoid excessive massaging because it might break or tangle the strands. If you are in a hurry to dry the coat, you can always use a blow dryer. However, some safety measures should be kept in mind. For instance, maintaining the blow dryer at a safe distance and keeping the noise level and heat setting on a low scale to prevent overheating and scaring the Whoodle dog.

Conclusion

Bathing a Whoodle puppy is not as easy as it sounds. The comfort and participation of the dog are equally important. Hence, ensure that you follow all the steps shared in the article. In case you seek further assistance, always consult an expert on Whoodles.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should you bathe a Whoodle?

It can depend on many factors such as the activity level of the Whoodle, its coat type, the location of the house and the kind of activities that it indulges in. However, most Whoodles bathe once every two weeks.

Is it ok to bathe a dog every week?

Yes, it is fine to bathe a dog every week provided that the dog becomes dirty.

What is the best time to bathe a dog?

The ideal time to bathe your dog is during the day because it fits with their routine and demands and is also a time when they are peaceful and at ease.