Washing the Dog Without Wrecking the Bathroom

Anyone who has washed a medium or large dog in a home bathtub knows how it goes. You end up soaked, the dog ends up shaking on the wall, and there is hair in the drain for a week. The self-serve pet wash at Mickey's exists for exactly that problem, and a few habits make it go much better.

What the pet wash gives you

The pet wash is a room with a tiled, raised tub and easy-access steps, so a dog can walk up instead of being lifted and your back stays out of it. Pet-friendly shampoos, plush towels and a low-heat dryer are all there. And when you are done, the staff handle the cleanup, so you walk out without having to wipe down the walls.

It costs $24.50 for a 25 minute session, and $19.50 for each additional 25 minutes. If you need two sessions, that is $44.00 for 50 minutes in total. Call (508) 571-1134 before you go to check when the pet wash is open, so the trip with a dog in the back seat isn't wasted.

Before you leave the house

Brush your dog first. Mats and tangles get tighter when they are wet and are very hard to work out afterward. Take a walk before the appointment too, because a tired dog is a calmer dog in a tub. Bring a few treats, a leash you don't mind getting wet, and a towel for the car seat. Even a well-dried dog can ride home a little damp, and the seat will thank you.

In the tub

A 25 minute session sounds short until you are in it, so have a plan. Here is a simple order that works for most dogs.

• Spend the first few minutes letting your dog settle. Walk up the steps, hand out a treat, and keep your voice slow.
• Wet the coat with lukewarm water, never hot, starting at the neck and working back. Keep water out of the ears and eyes.
• Use the pet shampoo, not a human one, and work it down to the skin, including the belly, legs and tail base.
• Rinse longer than feels necessary. Leftover shampoo is what makes a dog scratch for the next two days.
• Towel first, then use the dryer on its low-heat setting, keeping your hand moving between the dryer and the coat.

Wash the face last and gently with a damp cloth rather than a stream of water. Most dogs hate water in the face, and they will remember it. Keep your tone calm, your movements slow, and one hand on the dog at all times. A dog that feels held is a dog that stays put, and it is much easier than chasing a wet animal across a tiled room.

Time is the thing to watch. Rough numbers for a 25 minute session: a few minutes to settle, about eight to wet and shampoo, about eight to rinse properly, and the rest for towel and dryer. If you are running behind, rinse takes priority over drying, and you can finish the drying at home with a towel. A coat full of shampoo is a worse outcome than a coat that is a little damp.

Nervous dogs and big dogs

If your dog is anxious, a first visit doesn't have to be a full bath. Let them walk the steps, stand in the tub for a minute, and get a treat, then go home. A short good experience matters more than a clean dog that day. For a big dog with a thick coat, plan on a second session for drying. The extra 25 minutes costs less than the first and is better than leaving damp undercoat, which holds odor and can bother the skin.

Short, smooth-coated dogs are quicker, but they chill faster, so dry them well and get them into a warm car. Older dogs with stiff joints will appreciate the steps more than any other feature, and so will you.

Afterward

Check the paws, the folds of the skin and behind the ears for anything left damp. Put the dry towel on the seat. If you are already on site, the tunnel is right there, and the back seat that has collected a season of dog hair is a vacuum away. Mickey's members get free vacuums.

The pet wash is at Mickey's Car Wash & Detail Shop, 16 Galaxy Pass in Sutton, on Route 146 in the Market 32 Plaza. Bring the dog, leave the mop at home.