Bathing at home between appointments, minus the chaos

Most at-home baths go sideways for the same reason: everything happens at once. The dog is in the tub, the shampoo is still in the cupboard, the towel is in another room and the water is either freezing or too hot. Set up first and the bath itself takes ten minutes.

Before the water goes on

• Brush thoroughly. Water tightens mats, so anything tangled now will be worse after

• Put a non-slip mat or a folded towel in the tub so paws have grip

• Lay out shampoo, a cup or sprayer, two towels and treats within reach

• Place a cotton ball loosely in each ear if your dog is prone to ear infections

The bath, in order

Wet the dog from the neck down with lukewarm water, keeping the head dry for now. Dilute dog shampoo in a jug before applying it; it spreads faster and rinses cleaner. Work from the back toward the belly and legs, then do the face last with a damp cloth rather than the sprayer.

Rinse longer than feels necessary

Shampoo left in the coat is the number one cause of itchy skin after a bath. When you think you are done, rinse for another minute, especially in the armpits, under the collar and between the back legs. The water running off should be completely clear.

Drying without the drama

Squeeze the coat with the first towel, then wrap with the second and let the dog shake. If you use a hairdryer, keep it on cool or low, keep it moving, and never point it at the face. Double-coated and curly dogs need to be brushed while they dry or the coat will set into waves and small tangles.

How often is too often

Once every three to four weeks is plenty for most dogs. More than that strips the natural oils that keep the coat soft, unless your vet has prescribed a medicated shampoo. Between baths, a damp cloth after muddy walks does more than you would expect.