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How Often Do You Bathe Your Dog?

9461 Views 50 Replies 40 Participants Last post by  pinkanml, 
BowWowMeow
Most gsd owners have to brush their dogs at least weekly but I think the frequency of baths varies widely. How often and why do you bathe your dog?
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G
I answered every other month because that's probably about the average although they can go for several months in the winter with no bath and frequent ones during the warmer months when they've been in alot of mud.
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BowWowMeow
I bathe Chama once or twice a year unless she rolls in something and then I give her a very concentrated washcloth and bucket of water with smelly shampoo bath. She is a swimmer and we're out in all weather so she stays pretty clean. I towel her off when she's muddy with a damp towel. She only has to be brushed a few times a year--she's truly a permanent press dog! Oh--the best part--she NEVER smells (except when she rolls in something). All my gsds have been very smelly when they've gotten older or when they swim a lot and needed more bathing.
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C
Elle(GSD mix) can go about 3 weeks between baths...But Queen Emma(GSD), I don't know if it's where she's a pup or what, but she tends to get stinky and NEEDS a bath atleast once a week, I know it probably isn't good for her, but she lives in the house with the rest of us, and I can't handle the bad smells she lets off.
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Keeyah
Diesel gets his feet showered off a few times a week depending on where we have been walking to but only has a full bath a couple times a year.
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Catu
Originally Posted By: JenniferkyElle(GSD mix) can go about 3 weeks between baths...But Queen Emma(GSD), I don't know if it's where she's a pup or what, but she tends to get stinky and NEEDS a bath atleast once a week, I know it probably isn't good for her, but she lives in the house with the rest of us, and I can't handle the bad smells she lets off.
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The too often bath can be worsening the bad smell. You should try to look the origin of it instead of muffle it under shampoo smell.
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Liesje
Once every other month, I guess. In the summer, she got wet all the time in the lake and would run through dirt so I'd make her swim another lap. Otherwise, really only if they get into something. Coke had a bath last week because he rolled in poop and it got stuck all over his belly. We tried to cut it off, but he still stunk. I'm bathing Kenya next week because we're going to my in-laws for Christmas and my BIL has a new baby. I'm assuming since they are first time parents they will be extra freaked about germs and stuff, so I will bathe the dog and make her smell nice, even though I know she is clean when she smells like dog!
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onyx'girl
Originally Posted By: JenniferkyElle(GSD mix) can go about 3 weeks between baths...But Queen Emma(GSD), I don't know if it's where she's a pup or what, but she tends to get stinky and NEEDS a bath atleast once a week, I know it probably isn't good for her, but she lives in the house with the rest of us, and I can't handle the bad smells she lets off.
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There is a reason if she smells bad..Most dogs don't have odors unless their food is of poor quality or other medical issues. Kacie was almost two when I adopted her and the foster had her on antibiotic for her gum inflammation shortly after she rescued her. She never wormed her. When I got her she always had an odor, even after a bath. It was summertime...I assumed it was a teeth/gum odor, but then found a tapeworm on her and had her wormed, no more odor! She never had fleas(which supposedly goes hand in hand w/ tapeworms) I did start a raw diet about a month before worming so I don't know if it was diet or the worming that took care of it, but she smells great now! I love to just snuggle w/her and breathe her in:)
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DSudd
Rocky actually gets a bath every 3-4 months. Last time he had a bath was the end of August and that was because he was sick and had potty issues. He normally does not stink unless he has been outside playing and then once he cools down the odor goes away.
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VKristallaugen4
Brushing keeps my dogs clean for the most part. Koko will start getting bathed more often due to showing and grooming.
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DancingCavy
I bathe Risa when she needs it. Which is usually only after she has found something God-awful to roll in. Like that dead robin. . .nice.

Otherwise, I just don't bathe her. She had a bath shortly after I got her (since the shelter didn't have a chance to) and then one in March. After that she had 3 others over the summer because she rolled in something gross.
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E
Generally the girls start smelling gamey after a month or so. I wash them in the bathtub with a good moisturizing and deodorizing dog shampoo. Since Heidi and Lilo are terrified of the blow dryer (and Clara doesn't need it) I simply towel them off thoroughly and let them air-dry the rest of the way on clean blankets in their crates.

I also use a moisturizing spray once they are dry that softens their hair and skin and smells pretty.

If they roll in dead things (Kayla used to do this all the time) or get exceedingly muddy, or get skunked, of course they will need extra baths. Clara and Lilo have each been skunked once. I hope they have learned their lesson about Mr. Skunk, and that the funny looking kitty doesn't want to play. I try not to bathe them in winter because I don't want them to get chilled but in summer they will get more frequent baths if necessary.
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Shandril2
I have bathed Max twice in the last three years. That was after he went swamp-swimming. He doesn't really smell at all.
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Branca's Mom
Lets see, Branca has had 1 bath in 8 years. Urro is 3.5 and not had one yet......
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D
we mostly go swimming to get clean, tee hee!
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KJandBravo
"Never," so far. Back in summer, I contemplated bathing him on a hot sunny day in a kiddy pool, and he never needed it.
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D
its usually seasonal. once in the spring and once in the fall. they do get quicky sponge baths, and get brushed 2-3 times a week, unless of course somebody rolls in something discusting!

debbie
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B
I try to bathe Heidi only once a month. It is difficult for us because I love to bathe her and she likes to be bathed. I found some dog shampoo that I really like and it smells good; it's called Earth Bath. I buy it at Petco and it costs about $13 for half the amount that I was getting at Walmart for $5, so kind of pricey, but it foams up nicely and a little goes a long way, so it may be more economical that it seems. It is supposed to be good for her skin.
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G-burg
I bathe mine every 2 - 3 months.... Brush them every other day and clip their nails every 10 days..
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K
Once maybe twice a year.
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