Bathing Your German Shepherd

While nothing can compare with that new puppy smell, sometimes it can take a turn in the wrong direction. Having a German Shepherd in the home can be a memorable experience that brings joy to any household. However, keeping your pup clean and smelling wonderful can be a bit overwhelming at times. Rest assured, this part of owning a german shepherd can be an easy task that can also be enjoyable and a fun time!

When it comes time to bathe your German Shepherd, it’s not an activity that needs doing as often of most people believe. While giving our dog a great bath and seeing him covered in soap is quite adorable, doing it too often can be counter-productive for what we want to accomplish. Bathing your German Shepherd to frequently, you will remove the natural oils from the dog’s coat. The natural oils in the dog skin and coat help keep the skin and coat healthy and shiny, but can also help with the smell of the dog, make it more water repellent, and even help with shedding!

Now that we have a general idea of some of the effects of over-bathing, how often should we bath our German Shepherd? The amount of bathing that you do on your dog can significantly depend on the dog and activity level of your dog. However, a general timeframe that we recommend is once every 6-8 weeks if needed. That being said, it’s essential to understand that every dog is different. If a dog stays relatively clean and has a healthy coat, brushing, and maintenance, this time can be extended. The same can be said for a dog that loves to play in the mud and get filthy; the time between washes may need to be shortened. Once you being bathing your dog, you can keep an eye on the skin and coat to note how it reacts to the bath and adjust accordingly.

The next question we may have is, which type of shampoo do we use? The kind of shampoo that can be used is based on how the dog reacts to the product, preference, and style. Just like when washing our hair (No, we can’t share our human shampoo with the dog.), we want to find a product that benefits the skin and coat of the dog. There are a ton of wonderful products out there. A few common shampoos and conditioners are ones that target skin and hair health. I’ve included a few products below:

Skouts Honor – Shampoo and Conditioner

Micro Tek Shampoo

Now we’re rolling, and have an idea for shampoo and a bathing schedule that we can base our baths off of. The following question you’re probably thinking is, “Hey, Team Canine Extreme, what do I do in between baths when my pup now longer has that new puppy smell, but it’s not the time for a bath?”. This is where you can implement a good smelling deodorizing spray or even a waterless shampoo. Both of these products will help freshen up your pup without the full effect of bathing the dog. I’ve included a few examples of these below:

TropiClean Waterless Shampoo

Tropiclean Pet Spray

Scout’s Honor – Deodorizing Spray

When bathing your dog, this can be a fun and exciting time for you and the pup. It’s important to take your time and make it an enjoyable experience for your dog. Being patient and gentle with your dog is the key to making bath time and pleasant experience. Above all, having the ability to snag a new soap covered puppy photos can always bring a smile to our faces.