Your dog is dirty and you know he needs a bath. Groomers are expensive and you don’t want to shell out the extra money. It’s actually quite easy to give your dog a bath at home, as long as you prepare beforehand and remember some basic things.

Brush your dog before you start. You want to remove any knots or mats from your dog’s hair before you get him wet, otherwise they will become tighter and impossible to remove. You also want to remove as much dirt or loose hair as possible before you give him a bath.

Use regular dog shampoo diluted by about 25%. Dog shampoos are usually too thick to make a good lather. You can pour the shampoo in an empty bottle and add a small amount of water until it reaches the right consistency. However, if you’re using flea shampoo, don’t dilute it. You will dilute the effectiveness of the medication in the shampoo. Don’t use shampoo or dish soap; it’s too harsh and can cause skin or coat problems.

Wet the dog from neck to tail, omitting the head and face for now. Wash the hind legs with shampoo first, then the tail and rear end. Wash the body, chest and front legs with shampoo, then carefully wet the head and apply soap, being careful not to get the soap in the dog’s eyes.

Rinse, rinse, rinse again. Start with the head and face, then rinse the body. Keep rinsing until you no longer feel the shampoo anywhere on the dog’s body and the water runs clean. Any shampoo left on the dog will cause itching and skin flaking.

When you are sure all the soap has been used, wrap the dog in a towel to absorb the excess water and prevent him from shivering. Dry every part of the dog with a towel. You can use a low-speed hair dryer if you wish, but don’t put it too close to the skin.

Your dog probably doesn’t need to be bathed more than once a month; any more and he’ll dry out and irritate his skin. With a little practice and preparation, grooming at home is easier, less stressful and less costly than taking them to a professional groomer.