This TikTok Hack Is the Funniest Way to Wash Your Dog This Summer
Not every dog likes (or even tolerates) bathing, but almost every dog loves to run. A new viral TikTok has suggested giving your pet the best of both worlds this summer by giving it a little shampoo and letting it go when the sprinklers are running in your yard or nearby park. Getting a puppy clean without hurting him or making a mess of the bathroom sounds perfect, if not too good to be true, but experts say it’s a great strategy for keeping a doggie clean this summer if you have a few things to hand. in the mind.
What to do
First, here is the TikTok in question from user Alexamoondo:
Look at this goodness while playing sprinklers! He doesn’t even realize that he’s getting agitated in the process. It looks like a summer win/win for sure. But Carolyn Chen, founder of dog grooming company Dandylion , warns that you can’t rely on a sprinkler to do all the work of bathing your dog. She recommends first wetting the coat a little and lathering it with shampoo, and then rinsing more thoroughly after the spray session to make sure all the soap has been rinsed off.
Obviously, this trick won’t work if your dog is afraid of sprinklers or doesn’t already have the habit of running through them. Dr. Lindsay Batzer, DVM , notes that it would be “fun” with a German Shepherd, Labrador, or other large, energetic dog—provided they already enjoy sprinklers. She pointed out that dogs that are unfamiliar with or fearful of sprayers are more likely to not get wet enough to wash off the shampoo.
Things to Keep in Mind
Chen says that if the shampoo isn’t fully rinsed out of the coat, it can irritate the skin, so skip this trick if you can’t give your dog time to run through the sprinklers, or can’t give him a more thorough lift afterwards. It’s best to get the most of it while playing with the sprayer, use a dog shampoo with a more liquid formulation as it provides faster wash/rise time. Batzer adds that bathing requires washing and rinsing, so it’s not as easy as it sounds on TikTok – you’ll still need to tamper with the mixture to rub the shampoo into their fur and check to make sure it’s all over.
This is also only good on warm days, as the water from the sprinkler is usually much colder than what you use in the tub inside. You want your pet to be able to dry completely in the sun. Chen adds that all dogs are different, and while some may enjoy the coolness of sprinklers, others prefer warm water even when it’s hot outside. Making grooming enjoyable for your dog is more important than making it comfortable for you, but the warmer the weather, the more likely your furry toddler will enjoy cold water.
Another way to bathe your dog outdoors
If you don’t have time to dedicate to brushing and rinsing your dog after your watering session, skip it: there are other ways to get your dog clean without the hassle of indoor bathing. Batzer advises starting by putting your pet on a leash and using a hose in the backyard to slowly introduce him to the concept of water spraying.