8 Steps to make Bath time with a Berner easier

Bath time is so much fun! NOT! So here are some tips and tricks to help make it easier for you and your Big Fluffy Baby.  Let’s start with the biggest question… How often should I bathe my Bernese Mountain Dog? Once a month, unless you and your Berners are like me and live where there is lots of dirt, lots of ponds and lots of other animals.  Then it’s more of a wash, rinse, repeat cycle.

1. Location, location, location

Where you give your big pup a bath will make all the difference.  Berners are big scaredy babies, and it takes a lot to regain their trust after they have a bad experience.  So try to have a setup that includes non-slip flooring and preferably not a tub where you have to shove them over the edge.  They are a lot more comfortable if they can just walk into the bath time area.  

2.  Brush First

If possible, spritz your Berner with water or conditioner water mix.  You can buy this premade or just mix it yourself.  Then using a rake (not a lawn rake), rake out the undercoat and down the legs and tail.  Follow this up with a regular dog brush (pin brush).  This helps remove dead and broken hair.  It also helps to keep your shower or tub drain clog free.

3.  Promote a Positive Experience 

Mine, thankfully, walk into the shower on command.  They look like they are about to be executed, but they will still get in.  I do make sure I tell them what good boys they are, using a ridiculous tone of voice of course and give them treats as a reward afterwards. Also make sure to not let the water temperature get hot on them.  They overheat quickly and stress always makes their body temperature go up.  Soak them well.  Which with their thick coats is a little tricky.  Hopefully you have good water pressure.

4. Shampoo

If your dog has any skin allergies or issues, choose one that is made specifically for that problem.  The best way to get their thick coat and skin clean is to shampoo and rinse them twice so that you get all the dirt, debris and dander from the skin and undercoat, but if you are short on time and energy, once will get the job done(don’t worry they won’t tell). Like everything else you wash, rinse well.  Any soap residue left will aggravate their sensitive skin.

5. Condition

I always let them soak for a little bit in conditioner.  Both of mine have different fur textures and skin issues, even though they are brothers.  So, choose the dog conditioner just like you would for your own hair.

6.  Facetime

Nope, you don’t need your phone for this.  Take a warm wet washcloth and gently wipe their face.  I don’t use soap, but if you would like to or need to, try to use something gentle such as a baby shampoo.  And make sure to avoid their eyes.

7.  Dry them

Soak up as much moisture as possible. Pat them dry.  If you are going to take them outside or are worried about them getting your floor or furniture wet.  Then you can blow dry them on low heat.  Remember they overheat quickly so keep an eye on excessive panting

8.  Clean & dry their ears

Last but most important ears.  If you are short on time, just make sure to dry the inside of the ears so they do not get any yeast infections or other problems.  If you want to clean them, take a cotton ball or I like cotton pads with some dog ear cleaner gently wipe out using new pads until clean and then make sure they are dry.

Wooh!  All done.  A Lot of work, but it is so worth it when you hug them and squeeze them tight. They are silky soft and smell good.  

Until Next Time,

B&B