Bathing keeps a dog's presence a pleasant one. To make the bathing experience equally as enjoyable for dog and dog owner alike, here are some tips from an expert dog bather…

Give a puppy its first bath whenever its natural doggie odour becomes bothersome. From then on employ the same guidelines: when a whiff of your dog makes your wrinkle your nose, it's time for a bath. Keep in mind, however, that too frequent bathing will strip your dog's skin of its natural protective oils and may lead to flaky, dry skin.

Before dousing your dog with water, always give a thorough grooming first. If your dog's hair is tangled, it only gets worse when wet. A creme rinse applied post-bath won't eliminate tangles, and it will be impossible to rinse out all the soap if your dog's hair is extremely matted. Dried soap will then make your dog itch, and your dog will scratch itself, further tangling its hair. For mats that defy the comb, try soaking them with a conditioner or detangling spray, which sometimes make them easier to work through with your comb, brush or fingers.

Once your dog's coat is prepared, gather a towel, a small bucket, cotton balls, a hair catcher for the drain, a rubber mat for the bath surface, coat conditioner and tear-free, hypoallergenic dog shampoo. Since the pH levels in human shampoos are different than those required for dogs, never substitute. If you'll be kneeling next to a bathtub or a washtub, a cushion for your knees will increase your comfort level.

Only when all the bathing supplies are close at hand is it time to add water. Put your dog in the bathtub, sink or washtub that can be easily emptied without removing the dog. Allow the water to run slowly so it will get progressively deeper. A few inches will suffice; any more and you'll be a perfect target for wayward splashes. Talk soothingly, and move slowly to keep your dog calm. If your dog has flopped-over ears like a Labrador retriever, put cotton in its ears to prevent water from entering its ear canals. Cotton balls won't stay in upright ears, but short-eared dogs can shake out excess water.

Get a firm hold on your dog. Starting from the rear, wet it down using the bucket or a handheld showerhead held close to its body. Be sure to saturate all layers of your dog's hair through to its skin. Put your hand over your dog's eyes, and direct the water toward the back of its head to avoid getting water in its ears.

Never spray directly into your dog's face. If your dog is extremely sensitive to water in its face, a damp washcloth is a good alternative. Using the same back-to-front method, lather your dog by gently massaging it all over. For the face, again use a washcloth dampened in soapy water. Be sure to suds your dog's feet and legs.

Rinsing is second in importance only to pre-bath grooming. Remove all the soap through repeated rinsing, again holding the water source close to your dog's body and ensuring the water reaches the skin. Then apply the coat conditioner according to directions, avoiding your dog's face. Rinse thoroughly. If you left your dog's collar on to give you better control during the bath, ensure all the soap and conditioner are rinsed out from underneath it.

Once you are done with the water, drain the basin and remove the cotton balls. Gently squeeze out as much water as possible, then gently towel-dry your dog. If you have a long-haired dog, rubbing too vigorously can cause more mats and tangles. If your dog starts to shake, place your hand on the top of its head. Lift your dog from the bathing area, setting it down on the floor. To prevent your dog from getting dirty, turn it loose in your house to air dry. On a warm day, put it outside in its crate in the shade. Or use a hair dryer on a low setting while someone holds your dog so you can dry and brush simultaneously. If your dog wore its collar for the bath, take it off for drying.

Perfecting your dog-bathing technique might take a few tries. But going into it prepared will allow your and your dog to enjoy it as just another of the many things you do together.

Bathing tips Use water just above room temperature. Although we like our showers toasty warm, higher temperatures may cause your dog to shed excessively.

Consider leaving a puppy's first bathing to your groomer. If you have a bad experience at home, you might create a bathing monster that even the professionals won't want to deal with.

If your dog has fleas, use a flea shampoo and read its application directions. Many must remain on the dog for 15 minutes to be effective. For puppies, use only flea shampoos that are labeled as puppy-safe.