If you are washing your Miniature Schnauzer at home, he must be thoroughly brushed out before and after the bath. Once you add water, mats left in his coat tend to increase and multiply.
You may bathe your dog as often as necessary as long as you use a quality pet shampoo and rinse well. For pups, a tearless product works best.
For adults, a protein shampoo gives the coat luster and manageability while a shampoo with bluing makes white furnishings and silver coats sparkle. There are even shampoos for black coats that give your dog the sharpness of a silhouette in motion and remove any rusty areas caused by sunshine or saliva.
Once you’ve purchased all of your grooming tools, assemble them before bathing your Schnauzer. You will need your brush and comb, soft towels, shampoo, a crème rinse (if furnishings mat easily) and a blow dryer. A rubber mat on the bottom of the basin or sink will help your dog keep his footing.
Place your dog in a sink containing a few inches of tepid water, testing the temperature to make sure it’s not too hot or cold. Feed additional water into the coat with a gentle spray, beginning at the rear so you won’t startle your dog. Put some shampoo in your hand, and massage it into the coat. Pay particular attention to the beard and feet. When washing the facial area, be careful not to get shampoo into your schnauzer’s eyes or ears, and do not let him ingest any soap or water.
If administering a flea treatment or medicated bath, leave the lather on the coat for a full 15 minutes, then rinse very thoroughly until your dog’s coat feels squeaky clean. If you plan to give a conditioning rinse, make sure your product is well diluted; a little goes a long way. Pour some onto the legs and beard, and then rinse once more.
Some owners like to sponge bathe their Schnauzers between grooming visits, washing only their beards, legs and feet. These little dogs love to hug and kiss, not a pleasant experience if they are packing old foodstuffs in their beards or have bad breath from dental problems.
Wrap your schnauzer in a soft towel and relocate him to your table. Blot the coat; rubbing it every which way will create snarls and tangles in the process. Run the wide end of your comb through the coat before you begin blow-drying from the skin out, brushing as you go to fluff up those furnishings. Be careful not to hold the dryer on one spot too long — that sensitive schnauzer skin can easily burn.
Always comb your dog s eyebrows forward as you dry the head area so they won’t turn into comical cowlicks. Guard against chills by not letting your Schnauzer out in cold weather while he is still damp from the bath.
