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First, collect the
various materials you'll need to have everything close at hand before
you begin. Grab your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel's comb or
brush, pet shampoo, clean towels, and a few tasty treats.
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If your Cavalier is
still a puppy, you'll want him to learn that bath time is nothing to
worry about, so take time to help him adjust. To a small Cavalier
Spaniel puppy, the prospect of being lifted to the kitchen sink and
doused with water may be more frightening than you think! Keep your
voice calm and soothing, talk your new puppy through the process with
lots of praise, and of course, a few well-timed treats. It will pay off
in the long run if your Cavalier King Charles becomes a happy
participant, rather than becoming frightened or resistent.
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Begin by grooming
your pet's coat to remove loose dirt, mats and snarls. Tangles in your
Cavalier's coat can become nearly impossible to remove after his coat
is wet! This is also a good time to examine your dog's skin for
any bites, scrapes, or irritations you may wish to bring to your vet's
attention.
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Cavalier King Charles
Spaniels are the perfect size for bathing in the kitchen sink. However,
if there's any chance your pet won't stay calm and obedient, then you
won't want to take a chance that he will jump away from you and fall
from your
kitchen counter to the floor. If your pet is too frightened to remain
reasonably still, bathe your Cavalier Spaniel in your bath tub instead.
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Place either a
rubber mat or a small wet towel on the bottom of the sink or bath tub.
This will keep your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel from slipping on the
porcelain and will help him feel more at ease.
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Test the water
temperature yourself before beginning to wet down his coat. If you are
using the kitchen sink, the spray hose is a great convenience. If
you're bathing your Cavalier Spaniel in the bath tub, then you may want
to fill up a plastic pitcher to help wet him down.
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Rub in a shampoo
specifically designed for dogs. Don't use your own personal shampoo. A
good quality dog shampoo takes into consideration that a dog's skin
has a different Ph level than their human master's skin. If your
dog
has any kind of skin irritation or similar condition, consult your
veterinarian about the
right shampoo for your pet.
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Avoid getting water
in your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel's eyes and ears. Gently placing
cotton balls in his ears will help keep his inner ear dry. Instead of
wetting down your Cavalier's face, use a warm, wet washcloth to
carefully wipe his snout and the area around his eyes.
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Rinse all shampoo out
of his coat thoroughly and wrap him in a clean towel . Change towels as
needed to blot up as much water as possibly from your Cavalier's coat.
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Then you can either
let your pet "air dry" or use a blow-dryer to speed up the process. If
you choose to blow-dry your Cavalier, use a low fan setting and
cool temperature setting to avoid burning his skin.
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Praise him and give
your squeeky clean Cavalier King Charles Spaniel a treat as a reward
for good behavior!
