Brush your dog thoroughly before bathing to remove dead hair and mats that will otherwise tangle when wet. Gather everything you need for the bath---shampoo, towel, cotton balls to place in the ears so water won't run into them---then get your pup. A walk-in shower is ideal for large breeds, but smaller dogs can be bathed in a large sink. bending over a bathtub can be backbreaking, but sometimes it's the only alternative. Some dogs are bathed outside during warm weather, but it's best if you have access to warm water.

Place your pup in the tub (or wherever you are going to bathe him), and wet him to the skin with warm water. Lather with a gentle dog shampoo, then rinse thoroughly with warm water. (It's very important to rinse out every bit of soap.) To help in combing out afterward, some people apply a small amount of conditioner, which is rinsed out as well. Squeeze as much water as you can out of the coat, then absorb more water with the towel. Brush your pup dry, using a blow dryer set on a warm, gentle setting to speed the process. Hold the dryer at least a foot away from your pup so you don't burn his skin. Keep him in a warm place until he's completely dry.