We named him the WRONG name and a bath question

[Sara]

So Otis has been with us for 11 days. He is definitely mis-named. He should be named PIGPEN!

He only wants to be outside with Pete ( our outside/garage, older dog). So much so that he sits by the French doors and cries to be let out. Constantly. And I thought he was SO smart for telling me when he needed to potty! Nope--he wants to run with Pete and behave like, well, a BEAST.

So, sure, it's only 30-something degrees most days here. And sure, there's mud EVERYWHERE! And sure, he's FILTHY. (Insert my crying here). And I cannot understand why he prefers muddy, stinky, COLD Pete over us? Grrrr.

He's had two baths (including one last night). And he's a mud-ball again. And the leaves he rolls in stick into his muddy fur. And he stinks. And I just feel like my life of being proud of my very clean home is over. :(

So....can I wash him again tonight? I use doggy conditioner on him after the doggy shampoo....I'm hoping that helps with moisturizing his skin.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
The mama of the stinky, gross, muddy pig that used to be a cute snuggly puppy

[Sara]

That's what I use too! The "berry oatmeal" shampoo and the "kiwi oatmeal" conditioner! Yay! It's soap-free! :)

Is it wrong that I want to use them both on my hair?! They smell SO GOOD! Lol.

[Wendy and Myla]

I won't tell if you won't ;)

[Jessica Robinson]

Booker has always been that way.  He loves digging holes, rolling in the mud and leaves, and turning over his water dish so he can create mud if there isn't any readily available.  We just hose him off (detachable shower head is a must!), especially if it's a super rainy week and him being muddy is inevitable.  I also have a baby gate up in our hallway that leads to the back porch.  Thankfully we don't have any carpet anywhere, so I can keep him behind the gate until he dries and the mud falls off as dry dirt.  I usually brush him out after he dries and let him go play in the rest of the house as I sweep up the dirt pile.  It's a constant battle.  I sweep and mop daily with five dogs.

[Sara]

Oh my good gracious! Booker! Lol! That is one muddy boy! SO cute though...and so worth it, right?! Lol. Sweet muddy baby.

[Julie and Max]

I use Tropiclean also, I love that stuff.

[Julie and Max]

Booker is adorable, he's rocking that mud!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I so feel your pain. When Murphy was a puppy we traveled through the country in our RV and hiked everywhere! He would find every muddy, dirty, dusty, wet area he could. We had to bathe him almost every night as he always slept with us. We also now have a white-white doodle who is much less adventurous but is just a dirt magnet, but has always had very itchy skin!!! So when she is dirty, she looks pitiful and gets very itchy. I have always used good dog shampoo on them and Murphy , the first pup, never had a problem with frequent bathes. Bella, my white one, took some experimenting and I have found the Tropiclean Oatmeal to be the most affordable and about as effective as any I've used in helping her with scratching. She actually needs to be bathed more often to stop the itching!  You can buy it in a gallon and its a 5:1 ratio mix. 5 parts water to 1 part shampoo. Very mild, nice clean fragrance, not perfumey, and very cost effective. 

I can't remember which site I buy it on but it is online with free shipping. Might even have been amazon and if you shop using our DK link, some proceeds go to a good cause. 

So to answer your question, I have found no problems with frequent bathes, and in one dogs case it is necessary for relief. I do give Fish oil tabs as well to help prevent skin dryness, but have not had any problems. 

PS. Bella would LOVE to be an outside dog. She is at the door 20 times a day to go out and just explore, sniff, watch birds, chase lizards, eat poop!!!! No matter the weather, she wants OUT!!! Some just have that innate need to be outside I guess.