I get into the shower WITH my mal. I wash up first, then I lather up and wash the dog. That way, when I'm done with him and shut off the water, he can shake all the excess water off without making a mess of the entire bathroom. I towel dry him while he's standing in the shower and then release so he can do his century around the house.

show sheen is also crap. Both for horses and dogs. It gives a momentary shhen but not good for the coat.

The lake regularly weather permitting. In winter as necessary in the shower. I've bathed every dog I owned with dish soap and a brush for 50 years.

I don't know if dish soap is "approved" soap to use but none of the dogs ever seemed to have a adverse reaction to it.

I have used people shampoo and dog shampoo, both interchangably for years, never had a problem, so when I heard it can be leathal, I was taken aback.
Just as an aside, I was told baby shampoo was not good for people because it is the same PH as the eye, not the hair. Interesting anyway.
It is no problem for me to use dog shampoo, I didn't realize their PH was different from ours. Thanks!

Not all shampoos work for every dog.You need to look at the condition of the coat and choose your shampoo accordingly.

If the coat is dry and dull, I would use a moisturizing or protein shampoo and moisturizing spray. Protein shampoos contain collagen which repairs dry, damaged coats. If the coat has dandruff, dermatitis, flaking and is dull, I would use a medicated shampoo.

If the coat is shiny and soft but the dog is itchy,I would use a oatmeal shampoo.

If the coat is dirty and smelly I would use a deodorizing or deep cleansing shampoo.

I never use people shampoo on a dog, as Connie said, the PH of a dogs skin is different than a humans. I have heard from Vets that if the dog is infested with fleas you can use a dishwashing detergent, however I feel they are too drying for the coat and skin. if the dog has fleas I would use a flea shampoo.

If the dog sheds alot, which all GSD do, you could use a de-shedding shampoo

I always use a high powered velocity dryer with a condenser on it to dry a GSD coat. Human blow dryers are too hot of a temperature. I never cage or air dry dogs because this does not remove the dead hair.

I have been grooming professionally for 15 years and have never heard people shampoo to be lethal to dogs.

Rinse-Rinse-Rinse and when you think all the shampoo is out-Rinse some more!

 Quote: lisa harrison

Not all shampoos work for every dog.You need to look at the condition of the coat and choose your shampoo accordingly.

Someone at our club was talking about "Buddy" shampoo and rinse for deodorizing and moisturizing. He said (although I imagine that his dog would beg to differ) that the scent was light and mild.

I was gonna get some for the two dogs with no itchies and good coats/skin. (I do use an oatmeal one, as you mentioned, for the atopic dog.)

Have you used Buddy? Did you like it?

Lisa sounds like she has way more grooming experience and recommendations; but I use Buddy Wash on my GSD and I LOVE it.

It doesn't seem to be harsh or drying on the coat and she smells terrific after. I should add I only bathe my dog once every 2-3 months.

Buddy Wash

Katie

 Quote: Katie O'Connor

Lisa sounds like she has way more grooming experience and recommendations; but I use Buddy Wash on my GSD and I LOVE it.

And the conditioner?

I haven't tried the conditioner/rinse Connie.

Buddy Rinse

The scent of the shampoo is light and fresh; not over-powering at all IMO.

Katie

Off Topic but thats a great new pic Katie. As for shampoo, I just use whatevers on sale.