Don’t start washing your dog immediately. Pat it, rub its coat with your hands, or even let it play in the tub. When you're ready to begin, turn on the water and wet your dog thoroughly. Use a large soft cloth or, ideally, cotton balls to clean the dog’s ears, nose and other sensitive areas. Don’t use water directly in these parts.
When the dog is thoroughly wet, apply the shampoo and start rubbing it all over the body. Let the shampoo lather and gently massage from the neck down. Massage the coat. You may want to use a soft brush if your dog has a thick coat.
Wash off the shampoo, apply the conditioner if you are using one and then rinse all of it. Thoroughly wet your dog again to get rid of all residual shampoo and conditioner. Rinse with a soft, dry towel.
