I would like to know when the right age is to was our new dog,shes a cavalier and were curious as to whether if we washed her now at six months if it would damage her coat, or not, If any one can help please do ASAP! thankyou!
Betty

There doesn't seem to be a right or wrong age to bath your dog, but I wouldn't do it unless it was absolutely necessary with a young puppy, having said that your Cavalier wouldn't be too young at six months, just be careful not to get soap in her eyes or nose (easier said than done :)), or water in her ears and to be very calm and patient in case she doesn't like it. Treats will also help here. She will need lots of towels and preferably a gentle warmth on the hair dryer to make sure she's completely dry. There are some good puppy shampoos which don't sting the eyes or you could use baby shampoo. Don't forget to brush and comb her fur thoroughly before the bath and again while you're drying it and she will look and smell wonderful afterwards

I had to bath my dog when she was about 13 weeks old, its a long story involving a 21/2 year old child a jam sandwich and hot summer weather!! but she thought it was great fun and loved every minute of it, was dry in no time and came to no harm. :)

Let me know how you get on
Regards
Paule

Well she likes water anyway so you know here goes i'll post when we are finished!
Betty

this is 2nd post i have read on bathing now...i have neen bathing our 16 week old mini schnauzer
since he was 9 weeks - once a week!
Was this too early and am i doing it too often.

He likes the baths and drys pretty quickly (we have lot of fluffy towels for him and have the central heating on for a few hours before)

Thats the only thing that worried me after bathing Oscar, when we gave up with the hairdryer, leaving him to dry on his own.. can a puppy catch cold..??I also had the heating on.. but Oscar seems to like getting into the cold (baths aside) he finds all the cold tiles in the kitchen to lie upon.I know that we're talking the difference between animals and humans but can they get cold in their eyes etc in draughts.. especially when they are puppys..
Sandy xx

I don't think so this puppy we were bathing is our second dog the reason we asked was coz it was so long ago we'd forgotton, but he never caught a cold by siting on the cold floor and we always let him dry his self no fluffy towles just out the bath rubed with a small face towel/ hand towel, then into the living room to dry off infront of the fire! so don't worry! let it dry it's self!
And washin the dog that often can dry it's fur but other than that it's fine if its skins dirty or i smells wash it!
Betty