Poodle Information
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How to Give a Poodle a Bath
Overview
Giving your Poodle a bath is a very important part of grooming and will be needed to keep the skin and coat healthy.
Instructions for giving a Poodle a bath varies depending on whether you have a pet Poodle or a show Poodle.
Let's look at the steps for each and see what the main differences are.
Instructions for giving a Poodle a bath varies depending on whether you have a pet Poodle or a show Poodle.
Let's look at the steps for each and see what the main differences are.
The 5 Phases of Bathing
With both the pet or show Poodle, there will be 5 phases to giving a bath:
Phase 1 - Preparing
Preparing your Poodle for a bath is just as important as the bath itself. All of the dead hairs and tangles must be carefully removed from the coat by brushing and combing before the bath is given. Brushing also helps to loosen any dirt. Your goal is to give a thorough brushing from the skin outward to be sure the dog is free of mats before getting wet, as wet mats are much more difficult to remove. When shampoo is applied to any wet mat, it becomes trapped inside the mat and then is nearly impossible to completely rinse out.
Phase 2 - Preparing the Facilities
After your Poodle is thoroughly brushed and combed, it is best to give your dog an opportunity to relieve themselves, as the bathing and drying process can take a while and you want your Poodle to be comfortable and to stay still for you. And hairs should be removed from your grooming table and a large, soft towel should be spread across the the table. A clean brush and comb should be placed within reach on the tabletop and a hair dryer should be ready to turn on as soon as you bring your wet Poodle back to the table. An owner should gather and have ready all of the supplies needed for the bath. This includes:
For show dogs - All topknot, ear wrappers and bands must be removed. While it is not mandatory, if you show, you may find it helpful to part the long mane down the center of the back with a pin brush, letting the long hair fall to ether side.
Phase 3 Shampooing -
Most owners know this, but it is so important that it must be mentioned: Never use human shampoo! It is vital that the shampoo be Ph balanced for canines, it is essential for healthy skin and coat. All shampoos are either acid, alkali or neutral. The degree of acidity or alkalinity is measured on a Ph scale that runs from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral.
Anything between 0 and 7 is "acid" and anything between 7 and 14 is "alkaline" You need to use an alkaline based shampoo on a Poodle.
Coats can become stained, colors can become uneven....For this reason, some owners may wish to use a color enhancing canine shampoo, which does not contain any dyes but rather intensifies the natural color of the Poodle's coat. For white and light colored Poodles, this will help to remove yellow or grayish discolorations. For black or brown Poodles, it will help to remove any red or orange tipping and make the coat more solid.
There are 2 methods for shampooing a Poodle, the most common being to stand the dog in the tub and then use warm water (with the spray hose or container) to wet the coat thoroughly, avoiding wetting the head or ears. It is very important that the coat be extremely wet, to the roots, before you apply the shampoo. If you are using a hand held spray, hold the nozzle as close as possible to the dog's body, this will force the water to the skin and flush out any dirt.
For show dogs, the Poodle should be shampooed and rinsed 2 times. If you are keeping your Poodle in oil treatments, 3 cycles may be necessary. Please do refer to the AllPoodleInfo E-Book for full chapters on bathing both pet and show Poodles correctly. Learn More
Phase 4 - Rinsing
When rinsing, it is very important to be sure all traces of shampoo are removed. The final rinse should begin at the head, with the eyes covered and ear flaps held down by your hand. Warm water should be used (spray nozzle recommended) to work methodically down the neck and back toward the tail, over the sides, then under the stomach, down & under the legs to the feet, rinsing thoroughly until clear water comes off the Poodle.
If any shampoo remains it can cause the coat to look dull, cause irritation that can result in scratching and it will be more difficult to do an scissoring.
Phase 5 - Applying Conditioner or Cream Rinse
Shampooing does a great job of cleaning, but unfortunately can tangle at the same time. A creme rinse or finishing helps to reduce static. Deep conditioners work magic on damaged coats. They moisturize the hair and skin, smooth the cuticle, restructure the hair shaft, restore elasticity and add depth of color. Excess moisture should be squeezed from the Poodle's coat 1st and then the rinse or conditioner applied by gently working it into the the coat with your fingertips.
With both the pet or show Poodle, there will be 5 phases to giving a bath:
- Preparing the dog
- Preparing the facilities
- Shampooing
- Rinsing
- Applying conditioner or cream rinse
Phase 1 - Preparing
Preparing your Poodle for a bath is just as important as the bath itself. All of the dead hairs and tangles must be carefully removed from the coat by brushing and combing before the bath is given. Brushing also helps to loosen any dirt. Your goal is to give a thorough brushing from the skin outward to be sure the dog is free of mats before getting wet, as wet mats are much more difficult to remove. When shampoo is applied to any wet mat, it becomes trapped inside the mat and then is nearly impossible to completely rinse out.
Phase 2 - Preparing the Facilities
After your Poodle is thoroughly brushed and combed, it is best to give your dog an opportunity to relieve themselves, as the bathing and drying process can take a while and you want your Poodle to be comfortable and to stay still for you. And hairs should be removed from your grooming table and a large, soft towel should be spread across the the table. A clean brush and comb should be placed within reach on the tabletop and a hair dryer should be ready to turn on as soon as you bring your wet Poodle back to the table. An owner should gather and have ready all of the supplies needed for the bath. This includes:
- A rubber mat for the bottom of the tub
- A hand-held water hose or a plastic container for wetting and rinsing
- A shampoo brush
- A sponge or washcloth
- Cotton
- Mineral Oil
- Shampoo
- Creme Rinse or conditioner
- Several clean, soft bath towels
For show dogs - All topknot, ear wrappers and bands must be removed. While it is not mandatory, if you show, you may find it helpful to part the long mane down the center of the back with a pin brush, letting the long hair fall to ether side.
Phase 3 Shampooing -
Most owners know this, but it is so important that it must be mentioned: Never use human shampoo! It is vital that the shampoo be Ph balanced for canines, it is essential for healthy skin and coat. All shampoos are either acid, alkali or neutral. The degree of acidity or alkalinity is measured on a Ph scale that runs from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral.
Anything between 0 and 7 is "acid" and anything between 7 and 14 is "alkaline" You need to use an alkaline based shampoo on a Poodle.
Coats can become stained, colors can become uneven....For this reason, some owners may wish to use a color enhancing canine shampoo, which does not contain any dyes but rather intensifies the natural color of the Poodle's coat. For white and light colored Poodles, this will help to remove yellow or grayish discolorations. For black or brown Poodles, it will help to remove any red or orange tipping and make the coat more solid.
There are 2 methods for shampooing a Poodle, the most common being to stand the dog in the tub and then use warm water (with the spray hose or container) to wet the coat thoroughly, avoiding wetting the head or ears. It is very important that the coat be extremely wet, to the roots, before you apply the shampoo. If you are using a hand held spray, hold the nozzle as close as possible to the dog's body, this will force the water to the skin and flush out any dirt.
For show dogs, the Poodle should be shampooed and rinsed 2 times. If you are keeping your Poodle in oil treatments, 3 cycles may be necessary. Please do refer to the AllPoodleInfo E-Book for full chapters on bathing both pet and show Poodles correctly. Learn More
Phase 4 - Rinsing
When rinsing, it is very important to be sure all traces of shampoo are removed. The final rinse should begin at the head, with the eyes covered and ear flaps held down by your hand. Warm water should be used (spray nozzle recommended) to work methodically down the neck and back toward the tail, over the sides, then under the stomach, down & under the legs to the feet, rinsing thoroughly until clear water comes off the Poodle.
If any shampoo remains it can cause the coat to look dull, cause irritation that can result in scratching and it will be more difficult to do an scissoring.
Phase 5 - Applying Conditioner or Cream Rinse
Shampooing does a great job of cleaning, but unfortunately can tangle at the same time. A creme rinse or finishing helps to reduce static. Deep conditioners work magic on damaged coats. They moisturize the hair and skin, smooth the cuticle, restructure the hair shaft, restore elasticity and add depth of color. Excess moisture should be squeezed from the Poodle's coat 1st and then the rinse or conditioner applied by gently working it into the the coat with your fingertips.
More Detailed Poodle Grooming
For complete chapters on every detail of Poodle grooming, you will want to have the ultra-packed AllPoodleInfo E-Book, the biggest, most complete Poodle book available. No one else offers such a book & only the the AllPoodleInfo Experts can create such an incredible resource for Poodle owners. Along with all grooming and all clipping information you also will have:
For complete chapters on every detail of Poodle grooming, you will want to have the ultra-packed AllPoodleInfo E-Book, the biggest, most complete Poodle book available. No one else offers such a book & only the the AllPoodleInfo Experts can create such an incredible resource for Poodle owners. Along with all grooming and all clipping information you also will have:
- 30 Poodle Health Chapters
- 20 Poodle Behavioral Chapters
- 9 Poodle Training Chapters
-
Exact Step-by-Step Clipping Instructions for EVERY Clip
- Feeding, Sleep, Pregnancy, Breeding, Newborn Care, Senior Care,Colors....AND
- Direct, Personal Advice with the AllPoodleInfo Experts...for FREE...For LIFE ! Click to Learn More !
