If you’ve ever stood close enough to the transport van when picking up a foster dog, you may have noticed the smell isn’t exactly the stuff candles are made of. Most of our dogs come to the city by van after hours on the highway traveling from one of our partner shelters. During their journey, some dogs may not be able to hold their bowels or bladder. Even before getting on the transport van, some dogs may have been previously living outside or in poor conditions.

For all these reasons, we recommend the first thing fosters do after getting their foster dog home is to give them a bath. A bath is one of simplest but most valuable (and often rewarding!) duties you have as a foster. Dogs not only smell better after a good bath, they feel better!

First, decide where it’s best to bathe the dog. If you have a bathtub at home, it’s generally best to bathe your foster dog there. While we do have a dog bathing station at HQ, we have a limited number of appointment slots available, and the home environment tends to be quieter and less stressful. Book an appointment to bathe your foster dog at HQ.

Typically, appointments are available Tuesday through Friday, 2-4pm. If you are fostering a dog arriving on a Saturday transport, you can schedule an appointment to use the self-service dog wash, but again, slots are limited. Please note that although there is typically a staff member at HQ during the week, staff are busy throughout the work day and are therefore unable to assist fosters with these appointments. Bring a friend if you worry your dog will be too much to handle solo. If you’re taking a car to get your dog cleaned, you might bring a tote bag with several towels—one for drying and two for placing on the seat of the car there and back.

How do I get my foster dog to stay still for a bath?

Before you place the dog in the tub, get the water temperature right. Make sure the water is neither scalding nor cool. A warm, pleasant temperature will go a long way in making sure the dog tolerates the bath. Additionally, use lots of positive reinforcement: a calm voice and treats if interested. Some dogs can even be coaxed to stand in place for a bath by applying a lick mat to the wall of the tub. Spread some peanut butter, some spray cheese, or use a bit of whipped cream to distract your dog for the bath. Use your best judgment; some dogs have issues with resource guarding and introduction of food to the stress of a bath might make matters worse. If in doubt, ask your foster buddy.

Is there a suggested technique?

If you have a detachable shower head, use it to saturate the dog’s coat, starting on the back of the head just behind the ears and going down along the back toward the dog’s tail. Take special care not to get water in the ears themselves. If you do, stop the bath momentarily and give the dog a chance to shake the water from the ears. Be sure to dry out the ears thoroughly when the bath is over. Failing to do so can create itchy, inflamed ears, sometimes leading to an ear infection. Continue to wet the dog’s fur, making sure to cover the legs and the underside, including the neck, chest, and belly. If your foster dog’s coat is dense, you may have to make several passes before the water soaks through the skin. If you don’t have a detachable head, you can use a large cup or even a pitcher to fill with water before gently pouring over the dog’s skin.

Next, use either Dawn dish soap or dog-specific shampoo (shampoo made for people has a different pH and tends to dry out dogs’ skin). Apply a small amount to the palm of your hand, rub your hands together, and massage the shampoo into the dog’s coat. Depending on the size of your dog, you may have to do this multiple times to ensure the entire body is cleaned. Take care to lather the spaces between the toes and the bottom of the feet.

As you scrub, look for any lumps, bumps, scrapes or injuries that may not have been obvious when the dog was dry. If you find anything concerning, make a mental note to tell your foster buddy later. Rinse the dog again with the same technique as before until there are no more suds in the fur. Turn the water off and manually squeeze as much water as you can from the coat before towel drying. Some dogs may tolerate or even enjoy a warm blow dryer, but use your judgment, and when in doubt, stick with a towel.

Do I have to bathe my foster dog the day they arrive?

Dogs who are visibly soiled definitely should be bathed the day they arrive. If you feel your foster pup is too nervous for a bath, talk to your foster buddy about allowing 1-2 days of decompression before bathing them.

I don’t have a tub (or my dog is too big for it) and the HQ bath appointments are booked. What other options do I have?

There are a few options for getting dogs bathed after arrival. Petco and PetSmart have self-serve appointment options for bathing your foster dog. Most of these places will require vaccination records, so be sure to let staff know where to send these records. Alternatively, dogs who are not very dirty can be spot-cleaned with either dog-friendly wipes or regular baby wipes.

What about grooming?

Occasionally, you may receive a foster dog who needs a bit more than a simple bath, especially if their coat’s texture requires frequent grooming. If your dog is matted or needs more intensive grooming, please reach out to your foster buddy. Depending on the dog’s needs, we may work with a local grooming facility to get the coat and skin looking adoption-ready.