Can you bathe Sheepies too much?
We have been having horrible weather, creating mud all the time. Remy always looks dirty. It doesn't help that she goes out and plants her face in that mud, and the snow/water has her wet up to the belly. She is also in heat, so I want her to smell fresh not that period smell. We do keep her inside more now, because of her cycle. So I want to bath her. The thing is I have recently bathed her, I think 3 weeks ago, when I thought we were finally past snow and mud. Thanks |
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| Goodness, three weeks? I don't think Henry has ever gone more than a week without a bath of his muzzle, butt, and legs. If you go through the older posts here in Grooming, there is a long series about keeping these guys clean without water using brushing, baking soda, etc. But that hasn't worked for us: I don't so much mind the filth, but with doggie day care and regular diarrhea, Henry stinks! Also, he gets bits of poo stuck around his rectum and that can't be good for him, never mind the carpets.
I don't wash his body often, although I wash his underside more often than his back. I rinse and rinse and rinse everywhere I shampoo. I found the best investment I made was replacing my regular showerhead with a detachable. We hop in the shower together and I bring treats to reward him for his patience! He seems to like it and I don't notice any ill effects or itchy skin. Now you have me thinking, am I doing something bad for Henry? |
| When we first got Jake, we bathed him weekly. The main drawback was my hands got very very dry from all of the blow drying.
Eventually, we decreased the frequency... we probably got used to his beautfiul aroma... |
I have given Drake a bath about once a week but make sure I do not use shampoo with harsh soap in it. Drake would love a bath about every day but the blow drying and grooming would kill me  Dirt and such rinses out of Drakes fur pretty easy with just a shower from the sprinkler or hose. If Drake gets muddy or green feet from freshly cut grass I just rinse his feet of. I really think you should do what works best for you. Some dogs may have sensitive skin and therefore you may have to watch how often you give them a bath others may need a bath all the time. I think you should do what works best for you and be willing to change if it seem to cause problems.  |
| TaijaBlue,
Yuck! Mud! I can totally relate!  We have the same problem here with all of the rain, causing big time MUD! I usually have to carry Maggy through the house to get her into the tub to avoid doggy tracks throughout the house. I give her a quick rinse of the paws and legs.
If YOUR skin tends to be more dry from the weather where you live, it's a good indication that your sheepie's skin will get dry as well. I personally believe in bathing on an as needed basis. I like a clean dog. If you bathe often, just make sure to use a skin conditioning shampoo (for dogs). An oatmeal shampoo is good for dry skin. A leave in conditioning spray (for dogs) helps detangle hair and relieves dry skin. Works wonders. "Happy Remy bathing!"  |
| Hello Taijablue,
I also give Jack and Annabelle a bath every couple of weeks. Sometimes more, sometimes less depending on the weather. I just recently shaved their stomach. They seemed to love laying on the tile with bare bellies. It cut out a lot of grooming for me too. I shaved in the arm pits too, they both mat up the fastest in the armpit. I use Suave for kids, no tears, most of the time, but I sometimes use pantene. I have thought of getting some type of boots with it is rainy, but we just gave our backyard a makeover and put thick sod down so I am hoping that the mud will be a little less this year. Annabelle went through her first heat recently, it lasted 3 weeks and she was bathed more frequently and was stylish in little pants. She just hears the word bath and will go and get in the tub. I don't know about most sheepdogs, but Jack and Annabelle both love baths and blowdry. I don't mind the work, it is bonding for the dogs and my husband shares half the work so we get some time together enjoying the dogs and each other. We don't give the cats a bath very often, they have claws and know how to use them. They all hate the bath, we have tried a lot of different things to try to get them use to a bath, but they are not having it. They like being brushed, so I guess that is a plus. I guess I am just rambling now. Give Remy a hug and a bath!  Stormi and co. |
| Thanks everyone,
I was so worried I was bathing her too much. She tolerates the bath, it's alot of rinsing. We did install a detachable shower head. After she is out I towel dry. let her shake and off she runs. Just like our toddlers thinking it's cool to be loose naked. It is the funniest thing to watch. Well today is bath time then. The weathrman said we should be finally getting warm weather, and no more snow. Bye for now. Bev |
We have also had rain all week and mud. My older boys haven't been too bad, but baby Bentley (8 mos.) gets his fill of mud (he likes to dig). I find that the easiest thing to do is get a bucket and put water in it and one foot at a time rinse each foot and leg. This way only the part I want wet gets wet. On his belly, I just wipe with a towel and brush when dry. For the face, I wipe with a towel and then use a spray waterless shampoo. Doesn't come as clean as a good soaping, but works pretty well. Our dogs' coats are so thick that, unless they are swimming in mud water, the dirt when dry brushes out quite well. I don't bathe my boys very often. Monthly at the most -- depends on the dog. Regular brushing usually keeps them clean. My Oliver is a little slobbier than the other two so he gets cleaned more often. When I had my first 2 sheepies, both girls, I only bathed them yearly. They had regular grooming (ears, nails, etc.) but didn't seem to need bathing more often than this. 
Sandy, Oliver, Winston and Bentley |
| I do find once she dries off I can brush all the sand and mud off of her, and she is okay to be around the house again. But her fur gets this oily feel to it, and I like to keep her fluffy. |
| I saw recently at a Petco that they have cute little stalls that have all the supplies you need to was your pup. It's like 8 bucks a pop, looks fun, and you don't have to get your bathroom soaked! |
| This is just my JMHO.
::ducking:: Dogs and people are different. And just some simple, obvious ways in which we have different needs, we have different nutritional needs. (thus the need for high quality kibble or a good RAW diet) We have different medical needs, they need rabies and parvo vaccine for example, we get vaccinated for measles, mumps and rubella. Humans require regular bathing, dogs do not. We have different epidermis (skin), thus the need for specially formulated dog shampoos and conditioners. Because they are bathed less often than we are, the cost of a good dog shampoo is actually CHEAPER than the cost of a good, or even semi good human shampoo. Please think about investing in a doggy friendly shampoo for your sheepie. |
hey Grace!!!We live pretty close to one another.Im in Newport,yeah where all the construction is going on!!  im glad too know what kind of shampoo to use.having a collie all my life I never wash him.Collies dont need baths their hair sheds and all it takes is a good brushing.So im going to make sure to get some good oatmeal shampoo for my new baby... |
| We're practically neighbors! Collies are so pretty! How'd you end up here? (on the board?) |
| hey grace!!well i just bought a sheepie on friday,and really dont know alot about them,so i looked them up and i got here.and boy am i glad i did!! yeah my collie is beautiful,i saved him from a puppy mill up in Annadale.when i adopted him he had a broken leg,the idiots broke his growth plate and didnt get it fixed so he has a bum leg.he does good w/ it but in the winter it hurts him a bit after playing out doors.also they told me they dewormed him...HA!he had alot of worms,and also the poor baby had a very severe bladder infections,so bad the vet said if went untreated much longer he could of died from the infection.so he is my angel,and he is such a good big brother... |
| OMGoodness! You found an OES in Minnesota? Where did you find it? I've been looking forever! I did rescue my Maggy from the pound. I got lucky one day! I'd like to find her a partner in crime though!
Ahhhh! You're an angel for adopting your collie! And I'm sure he is an angel too! (aren't they all?!)
How far are you from Bloomington? |
| well Grace I got Mickey up by St.Michael,the town is called Hanover,and FYI the breeder has another female who is pregnate so she is going to have another litter real soon.I have the ladies phone number if you would like,Ill send it to ya.Her kennel is called Wintergreen I think. Im not far from Bloomington at all just rigtht up 494.Are you familar w/ Woodbury?well we are about 15miles south of Woodbury. |
| Tanya,
I am really glad you found this forum! There is a TON of useful information here, and a TON of really nice people and their Sheepies! If there is anything you ever need to know about Sheepies, you'll find it here!
My sister used to live in Woodbury -- so I know exactly where Newport is! There is a woman on another forum I am on who is from Newport also!
I am really hoping to adopt or rescue. Just time and patience for me, I guess!
Again! I'm really glad you are on the forum! |
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