How to wash a Spitz at home, rules for bathing a dog

Spitz differ from most dogs with their beautiful fur coat. To maintain an attractive appearance, animal fur requires constant care. It needs to be washed and combed. Frequent washing or improper washing can lead to health problems in dogs. Therefore, it is important to know how to wash your Spitz correctly.

Features of bathing a Spitz

At what age should you start swimming?

The time of the first bath depends on the age of the puppy and the events during which it appeared in the family.

• Street puppy. If a Spitz was picked up on the street, then he is given his first bath as soon as he is taken into the house. During bathing, mandatory treatment for fleas, ticks, and worms is carried out.
• Dog from a breeder. Puppies from a breeder are adopted by a family at the age of 3 months. They are clean and healthy. Before you bathe your Spitz puppy, you need to give him time to adapt to the new conditions. In the first month, it is better to get by by washing the paws and lower abdomen after a walk.
• Newborn puppy. If for some reason the puppies are left without a mother, then washing them consists of wiping the fur with a damp cloth or rag.

Helpful information! The optimal age for bathing puppies is 2-3 months.
When determining how often to wash your Pomeranian, you should use common sense. No home should have a dirty dog, even if it reacts negatively to water.

Bathing begins at the age of 2-3 months

Pregnant dog

Pregnancy is a very tender period for the expectant Spitz mother. It is important to strive to protect her from any stress, and therefore, after the fourth week of pregnancy, it is recommended not to bathe the Spitz bitch at all. However, if your pet gets very dirty during a walk and washing cannot be avoided, do it as quickly and carefully as possible.

The general bathing scheme remains the same, only the owner’s attention to precautions increases. Under no circumstances should you take your pet outside on the day of bathing. It is also better not to let the expectant mother on the cold floor.

A separate point worth highlighting is breast care for a pregnant female Spitz. It is very important to keep it perfectly clean (an infection can enter the body through the mammary glands), and therefore it is recommended to wash it at least 3-4 times a week with laundry soap, followed by treating the nipples with Vaseline.

Spitz's first wash

The first wash for a Spitz is of great importance. This begins the training of the animal to water procedures. The main task of the first bath is to form the correct reaction to water and not develop fear.

Bathing is carried out by two people. The first one holds the puppy, calms him down and distracts him. The second one washes the animal's fur.

It is recommended to bathe the puppy 2 weeks after completion of vaccination. This time falls at the age of 2-3 months. Until this moment, the puppy's mother is responsible for the cleanliness of the coat. It is important to bathe before the first molt begins. Use puppy shampoo for washing.

Vaccination

Any breed needs timely vaccination; this is one of the main points of care.

Even small dogs are vaccinated according to age, regardless of the regularity of walking. A dog can catch the virus at home by licking shoes or the carpet in the hallway.

All vaccinations are repeated every other year and annually.

Important! Before vaccination, oranges are cleared of fleas and helminths (2 weeks before). On the day of the procedure, the dog must be completely healthy, with normal body temperature.

Necessary bathing products

Shampoo is chosen from one series.
Before bathing your Spitz, you need to prepare everything that may be required during the procedure.

The minimum bathing kit includes:

• rubberized mat;
• shampoo for Spitz or long-haired dogs;
• deep plastic bowl;
• soft sponge;
• microfiber towel;
• wide-toothed comb, fine-toothed comb and brush;
• hairdryer

When choosing shampoo, preference is given to hypoallergenic specialized products. Whitening shampoos are suitable for white Japanese and German Spitz dogs. It is also recommended to purchase conditioner and dry shampoo from the same series.

Important! Human hair shampoos are not suitable for washing animals. They can injure the animal's skin and provoke allergic reactions.

Preparatory procedures

Before washing your Spitz, you need to comb it thoroughly and remove all dead hairs and tangles. What you will need for swimming:

• rubber mat;
• container for diluting shampoo;
• specialized shampoo, conditioner;
• foaming sponge;
• 2 towels;
• hair dryer;
• crest;
• slicker

Before washing your Pomeranian, you need to dilute the shampoo with water according to the instructions for use. Immediately before washing, the mixture should be thoroughly shaken until a rich foam is obtained.

Features of preparation

Before you start washing your Spitz at home, you need to prepare not only the equipment, but also the animal itself.

• If your dog does not tolerate bathing well, it is recommended to please him with active games or a long walk.
• Dog breeders do not recommend feeding the animal immediately before washing. Dogs are bathed 1-2 hours after eating.
• Half an hour before bathing, comb the dog thoroughly with a metal brush or slicker brush.

When the wool is combed out, you can proceed to washing. The bottom of the bath is covered with a rubberized mat or diaper. Dilute the shampoo in a deep bowl and shake it until a thick foam forms. When all preparations are completed, the animal is brought into the bath.

Step-by-step instruction

Adult dogs are bathed in a bathtub.
Adult Spitz dogs are bathed in a large bathtub. If you have a small Spitz, wash them in a basin.

Bathing a Spitz requires compliance with a number of rules.

1. The shower is set to warm water. Suitable temperature is 38-39 degrees.
2. Cotton swabs are placed in the dog's ears. They protect the ears from water penetration.
3. The dog is placed on a rubber mat. It prevents paws from slipping on the bathtub cover and minimizes injury to the animal.
4. Spitz wool is moistened generously with water. The pressure is not strong, so as not to frighten the animal.
5. Using a soft sponge, distribute soap suds over the fur using longitudinal movements. Washing begins from the middle of the body, moving to the withers, tail, and paws. Shampoo is not applied to the face.
6. When all the fur has been washed, the animal is rinsed with warm water. How many times to repeat the soaping procedure depends on the degree of contamination of the wool. Experts recommend soaping the animal twice. The eyes are washed last.
7. After washing, the wool is treated with conditioner. Leave it on for 2-3 minutes, then wash off.
8. Before drying, the wool is dried with a towel, removing excess moisture.

Important! It is not recommended to rub shampoo into the coat in a circular motion. This leads to the appearance of tangles.

Comparison of performers

Spitz bathing frequency

Regularity is important for each procedure. Dogs do not tolerate water well, so novice dog breeders are interested in the question of how often to wash a Spitz. Hygienic procedures must be carried out once every 1.5 - 2 months. Experts recommend bathing the animal before molting and exhibition. Washing is necessary if the wool is heavily soiled.

Attention! You shouldn't wash your pet too often. Washing can lead to pH imbalance, skin peeling, development of dermatitis, and baldness.

Washing after walks

Every walk is associated with contamination of the animal's paws and fur. Therefore, after walking the pet needs care.

1. Paws are washed in warm water. To do this, the animal is taken into a bath or placed in a basin filled with water. The front paws are cleaned first, then the hind paws.
2. If the coat is very dirty, the Spitz is washed with shampoo. If the animal bathed not long ago, the dirt is removed with dry shampoo.
3. For minor stains, comb the coat thoroughly with a fine-toothed comb.

How to wash a puppy

A special lubricant is washed off from dog fur only when using detergents. Therefore, choosing a shampoo is a responsible task.

What you will need

List of required accessories:

• Treats to calm the dog;
• Cosmetical tools;
• Ladle;
• Clean towels;
• Combs.

Choosing a Shampoo

Special cosmetics for dogs are very different from human products. The production of dog shampoos is aimed at use specifically for fur and wool, and not for hair.

A quality product is expensive, but it lasts for a long time. Doctor Vic, 8in1, Hartz are the most popular lines. Consider the pet's age, hair type and length,

Drying Features

After the bath, the wool is thoroughly dried.
Drying is a responsible and mandatory procedure after each wash. It is not enough to simply wipe a Spitz with a towel to remove excess moisture. The wool is dried with a hairdryer until completely dry.

When drying an animal, a number of rules are followed.

1. The air stream is made warm and of medium intensity. Air that is too hot can burn your pet's skin.
2. The wool is dried starting from the paws. Gradually move to the tail and follow from the back of the body to the withers.
3. The hair dryer is directed against hair growth. The strands are combed with a comb with sparse teeth. As it dries, move on to a brush.

Important! If the fur is not dried sufficiently, eczema and other diseases may develop on the skin.

When to go to the vet

If hair loss is excessive and not periodic, you should consult a doctor.

Main warning symptoms:

• absence of change of downy hair to a coarser adult coat under the age of one year;
• dull, brittle, thinned coat without volume;
• hair loss around the genitals and throughout the body without signs of skin damage or itching;
• local hair loss, accompanied by severe itching and skin damage;
• baldness of the areas around the eyes, accompanied by itching of the skin, redness of the eyes;
• the formation of large bald spots throughout the body, except for the limbs and head, followed by darkening of the skin.

You may need to take a blood test for biochemistry and a general blood test. Based on the results, the veterinarian will prescribe a course of treatment.

To prevent skin diseases, your dog needs to be vaccinated.

How to comb the fur

Careful combing allows you to give the withers the necessary volume.
After water procedures, the animal must be combed. This allows you to remove the cleavages and give the fur coat the desired shape.

Combing is carried out in 3 stages.

1. The cleavers are removed using a fine-toothed comb. Combing is carried out both along the coat and against it.
2. Use a wide-toothed comb to smooth out the fur. They are applied over the entire volume of fur, smoothing it and giving it a well-groomed appearance.
3. Use a massage brush to add volume in the right places.

Tips and tricks

In order for the washing to be successful and not cause harm to the health of the animal, it is necessary to follow the advice of specialists.

• Temperature. Dogs should be bathed in a warm, draft-free room.
• Cosmetical tools. Shampoos and conditioners for long-haired breeds or Spitz dogs are used for washing.
• Water pressure. When washing from a watering can or shower, use medium water pressure. A strong jet can frighten a dog.
• Help. It is recommended that two people wash the animal together. One person calms and holds, the second washes the wool.
• Delicacy. After washing, dog breeders recommend giving the animal a treat and praising it. This will reduce negative emotions after the procedure.
• The animal should be thoroughly washed if it is heavily soiled or in preparation for an exhibition.

Important! During active molting, as well as after giving birth, it is not recommended to bathe Spitz bitches. In winter, water procedures are also reduced.

Do you need clothes? Harness or collar?

Even though Spitz dogs have a very thick coat, they still need clothing. Like any decorative breed of dog, the Spitz needs to be dressed in the autumn-winter period. For what? To protect the dog from colds, and also so that the dog gets dirty less.

If you choose between a harness and a leash, most Spitz owners prefer the latter. Because the contact of wool with the harness often leads to the formation of bald patches. But, if the dog is too playful and the walks are long, then a harness may come in handy.

As for the collar, it should be leather, not wide and of high quality. The optimal collar diameter is 3-8 cm.

Swimming in the sea

Swimming in the sea improves the health of dogs.
Many dog ​​breeders take their pets on trips to the sea. Playing in water does not harm dogs. They help strengthen muscles and increase overall tone. At the same time, the negative effect of salt on the skin of the animal is noted. She causes irritation.

After bathing is completed, you need to wash your Spitz with clean water and dry the coat with a towel. After a walk, the animal is thoroughly combed.

Regular bathing of a Spitz from an early age will help accustom the animal to water procedures and maintain its attractive appearance.

Brave northern dogs in miniature: how to care for a Pomeranian Spitz

You can endlessly admire the cute dwarf or Pomeranian Spitz - it seems that the “toy” pets do not cause any trouble.

In fact, these rather wayward dogs constantly need training.

And in order for the dog’s appearance to be chic and there are no health problems, caring for the Pomeranian Spitz must be regular and correct.