Dog Park Filth

[Breanna]

I took Crush to the dog park for the first time yesterday and it was great! She ran with those dogs faster than I've ever seen her run. I wiped her paws before letting her into the car. The park was a mixture of grass and sand which dogs urinated and pooped on quite a bit. There were some buckets of dirty water that some dogs were completely burying themselves in. (I'm glad Crush didn't do that).  I am a bit of a germaphobe and the idea of dog park germs in my car and house was pretty gross to me. I bathed her immediately after getting home. Now, I know they should only be bathed every 4-6 weeks (especially Crush with her dry skin) but I think I might like to take her more often than that. Do you all bathe your dogs after going to the dog park or have any other kind of routine? 

[Breanna]

This bothers me too. My parent's family labrador (whom was sort of "mine" when I lived at home) can be a little jumpy when other dogs sneak up on her or approach her. For that reason I never have taken her to the dog park. I just don't know how she would react. My labradoodle is so gentle that the only worry I have is that another dog will attack her and she will lay down and let it happen. 

[Gail and Bailey]

I don't think it would be a problem to just rinse her off and not use shampoo (except for really dirty parts like paws).

I know what you mean about yucky stuff at dog parks.  My girl likes to roll and usually winds up with dead grass all over her.  I just brush her off and maybe wipe her down with a damp cloth and she is as good as new.  Occasionally it takes a full bath to get her clean after playing....but not every time.

[Breanna]

Thank you :) 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

You asked if I bathed every time.  No, I don't. 

Sometimes, just let the mud dry then brush out the dirt. That works well too

[Robin & Josie]

I totally get what you are saying. I've commented before about how Josie LOVES the dog park, but after two visits one weekend in the fall, we ended up with two vet visits. The first one was for inflamed paws from running too much on the gravel, and the second was for "tracheitis", a minor form of kennel cough, that she likely contracted from sharing drinking water.

We also had to give her a bath, cause she was covered in gravel dust. Her fur wasn't soft anymore and it was just gross. Fortunately, she fits in our sink.

I'm not a germophobe, nor do I spend an inordinate time cleaning my house. On the other hand, I never let my (now adult) children, walk around the house with muddy shoes, and I do wipe Josie's paws when we come inside and they're dirty.

To each his own. For me - I'm not ok with a filthy dog. I love watching her play at the park and she goes to day care once a week, but she does hang out on the furniture and she does sleep in our bed. So we let her get dirty. And then we clean her. Sometimes it's a hassle, but we don't like cuddling with a filthy dog, so that's the price we pay :)

[Breanna]

Thank you for the feedback, Robin. 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

There are no rinse shampoos for dogs. That might be another option

[F, Calla & Luca]

I gave up on dog parks since owner's took little responsibility for their dogs, bringing sick and or aggressive dogs. I am lucky to have two who can play with one another when they feel like it and who have a large fenced yard to play in. But my dogs now get bathed about every two months when they are groomed. I think all those germs keep us healthy : )

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Great Point, F.    Germs are good for us actually.   Immunity development is  a wonderful thing

[F, Calla & Luca]

It is : )

[Camilla and Darwin]

We bathe Darwin after he goes to the dog park, if he's super dirty. If not, we let him dry then brush the dust and dirt out. We do make sure to bring our own bowl and water because those communal bowls are disgusting...

[Denise J's]

I was felt the same way when I first started taking Toby to the dog park and every time we came home I would take him right to the bath to wash his feet off. Well, that was tiring real quick seems how we started going everyday. So, I now have him a kid pool outside during the summer and before he comes in the house he washes his feet of in there then during the winter there is enough snow for him to run around in before he comes inside. I feel this helps, at least I like to think it does. So, this is our routine, sorry so long. :)