Basic bathing question

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

Winnie is almost a year old. I bathe her about every 3-4 weeks, blow her out afterward and then do a little scissor trimming of her face, feet and hind end. Sometimes I use a "2 in 1"shampoo with conditioner, and sometimes a conditioning shampoo followed by either a creme rinse or a leave-in conditioner. 

Her coat is incredibly thick- it takes a long time to get the shampoo worked in. I always start at her head and work my way back and down. By the time I get to her rear and back legs, the shampoo on her head/face has been sitting there a good 15 minutes or longer. Should I be rinsing in sections as I go? Does it matter? I know if I left my own shampoo on my head for 15 min. it would dry my hair out! Her coat doesn't seem dried out, but we have a very harsh climate so I just want to be doing the right thing. We haven't been to a groomer yet, and I'm hoping to continue to care for her coat myself. 

Thanks much! 

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

I wash the legs first and the head last because my dogs always have muddy knee high socks on. lol

I like the soap to stay on the dirty parts longer.