Q: How often should I bathe my dog?

Q: How often should I wash my dog? My vet told me that my dog's fur will fall out if I wash her more than twice a year.

A: There's a whole lot of misinformation floating around out there--even from educated experts.  The truth is, the only thing I know of (other than severe trauma) that can remove a dog's fur en masse is Nair.  Nair, however, is a human product and as such should NEVER EVER be used on a dog.   Now, back to the question.

All dogs must be washed way more than twice a year.  If not for the sake of your nose, bedspread and sofa, then for the health of Fido's skin and coat (not to mention his self-esteem).  Imagine how you'd feel if your hair was so long that it touched the ground everywhere you went and you smelled all your friends' butts and never came near soap. 

As long as you wash your dog correctly, you can wash as often as you'd like.  In Happy Dog, Caring for Your Dog's Body, Mind and Spirit, we teach you step-by-step how to wash your dog properly and easily at home. Using human or household products and failing to rinse properly is typically what causes skin and coat problems. Always use products formulated for dogs and rinse, rinse, rinse. And, study Chapter 16, "Every Dog Must Have His Day ... in the Bath!"