Before your dog gets ready for his bath, you should take a bath inventory and prepare all the necessary equipment that he will need. Having all the necessary equipment ready and easily accessible can make the whole bathing experience fun both for you and your dog. Having all your supplies gathered in one place where they can be easily reached can help your dog bathing event.

Here is a list of basic supplies that you would need to wash your dog:

*Shampoo and conditioner

*A sponge

*A scrub brush

*A bath mat

*One or two heavy towels

*A small scrub brush or soft-bristled nail brush to use on the face

*A hand held sprayer or a large plastic cup for rinsing

*A plastic or rubber apron for you, unless you don’t mind getting wet

*A nylon collar and leash if you think your dog will try to escape or will be hard to hang on to in the bath

Choosing the right shampoo for your dog: With so many types of shampoos that are out there today, trying to figure which one will be suitable for your dog can be rather confusing. For most breeds, however, a basic, all purpose shampoo works just fine. But if you want your dog shampoo to do more than clean and deodorize, then you might want to consider getting a specialty shampoo.

You can accentuate your dog’s coat color by choosing a shampoo especially made for black, white, or red coats. For dogs that have sensitive eyes and skin, use a hypoallergenic shampoo. This type of dog shampoo can minimize sensitivity reactions to bathing. You may also try a tearless shampoo for dogs with sensitive eyes.

During flea season, choose a shampoo that contains a mild anti-flea formula such as limonene or pyrethrin. You may also try any of several natural botanicals that are specifically designed to repel fleas such as neem oil.

For wire coated breeds, choose a shampoo that is designed to preserve the crisp texture of your dog’s coat.

If your dog has a sensitive skin condition such as allergies, rash, or itching, choose a medicated shampoo designed to treat your dog’s skin problem. Ask your vet for advice and recommendation for a good medicated shampoo that is right for your dog.