A Quick and Easy "Summer Bath" for your dog.

[BrklynLiberal]

This is assuming that your dog does not go into the ocean or a lake, or get targeted by a skunk and does not require a full bath for some reason.
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Mix 2 parts water with 1 part Listerine(The really yukky yellowish beige one that tastes awful-the kind WITH alcohol) into a spray bottle.

Spray your dog generously all over, being careful to avoid eyes and inside of ears, and the other sensitive areas.

After spraying, using your hands, rub this mixture into his/her coat briskly for several minutes. Make sure that all areas have been hit by the spray.

Now towel dry your dog. Your pup should enjoy this part.

Your pup will now be refreshed, smell pretty good, AND the Listerine mixture will have removed most of the dirt and oil that makes their coat dull and smelly. (Although not all dogs smell bad)
The antiseptic in the Listerine also cleans away many of the potential "bad things" that could cause skin infections and hot spots during these summer months.
This is a lot easier than a total bath, and does not remove ALL of the protective oils that dogs have in their coats.

Once every six weeks during the heat of the summer is more than enough to keep you and your pup happy and healthy.

[Gloria]

1. Thanks for the tip...I just bathed 2 of my three today... of course,

they're small and fit nicely into the washtub we have in the garage.

The other gets his bath after he goes to the vet tomorrow for his annual exam/shots....he doesn't know it yet!

[BrklynLiberal]

2. Quick tip about "ANNUAL" shots.

Most vaccinations are not needed every year.
Check it out ask your vet if the vaccines he is using, or used the last time he gave the vaccines were acctually good for more than one year.
Nowadays, most are...particularly rabies.

Over vaccination is a big problem.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=243&topic_id=6392&mesg_id=6459

[Gloria]

3. Yeah, we're on the three year schedule....get the test to see if they

need it....

Vet even concurred with our not using Frontline...I bathe them in rosemary herbal shampoo which helps keep fleas away. We also have lots of rosemary in the backyard which makes them stink. And they don't go into woodsy areas...so that minimzes the tick problem.

[BrklynLiberal]

4. Sounds like you have a good vet. Lucky you.

Some insist on the annual shots. You have to be a smart and informed pet owner to standup for their rights.

[China_cat]

7. And CHECK YOUR STATE LAWS first

It's all well and good to say don't get annual vaccinations but if your state is like mine and REQUIRES annual rabies vaccination, you could end up losing your animal if there's ever an incident. (Here in SC, a rabies epidemic state, you only get the 10 day quarantine if you can prove they've had the shots...otherwise their head gets sent to the lab in Columbia.)

So part of being informed is checking the legalities.

[ehrnst]

5. Is there any way to do this without using a spray bottle?

Both my pooches freak at spray bottles.

[Debbi801]

6. Great Tip...

My 110 pound beast thanks you in advance. :-) He is not fond of baths. And, he is so big, I am not too fond if giving them.