How often you bath your dog will depend on what type of coat they have, and how dirty they like to get!

Generally, once every three months or so is ok. But this could differ if your dog has a skin condition... Or if they’ve rolled in something unpleasant!

If your dog regularly visits a groomer to get clipped or groomed, they’ll probably be given a bath too. You may find this is enough to keep them smelling fresh.

When washing your dog remember to use a shampoo made especially for dogs. These are much more mild than human products. But even with specialised products bathing your dog too often can cause their fur to dry out and their skin to become flaky. This is because it strips the coat of its natural oils. Any shampoo you use on your dog’s coat will dry it out and they won’t be protected from bad weather situations, so wash sparingly!

If you have a short-coated dog, regular brushing will help to keep their coat healthy. This reduces the need to bath them too often. Long-coated dogs, like Cockerpoos and Labradoodles, will still need regular grooming but their coats can be trickier to keep clean. You may want to consider having your long-coated breed trimmed to make things easier to manage.

With some coats, mud is easier to get off once it has dried. If you wet it again, the mud can become even harder to remove! Also, don’t bath your dog if they have matted or tangled coats. Wetting tangled fur will make the matting tighter and uncomfortable. The only way to remove these tangles is by cutting them out.

In the summer, you can let your dog dry naturally. A good rub with a towel and possibly some post bath zoomies helps too! If it’s chilly outside you may want to use a hairdryer. Keep the dryer moving so you don’t risk burning their skin, and introduce it gradually to your dog with lots of treats to make sure they’re not worried by the noise.

If your dog gets a bit whiffy, there are perfumed products available which mask doggy odours. But, whilst these may be more pleasant for your nose, think about your dogs’ incredible sense of smell. Sprays can make your dog more likely to want to roll in mud and other unpleasant things. They just want to make themselves smell more natural! Keep this in mind when washing your dog’s beds and blankets too – strong smells can be pretty offensive to them!

If your dog is really stinky, you may want to have a chat with your vet. There are health problems than can affect the way your dog smells. Bad teeth, blocked anal glands and skin allergies can all cause a pong, as well as their diet. If the vet gives your dog a clean bill of health, you might just have to learn to love their unique smell!