How frequently should you be washing your dog? When your dog gets dirty or is having their fur cut. Otherwise? Generally speaking: twice a year is a good mark. If you are bathing your dog more often you may be stripping their skin and coat of important natural oils. If your dog has a healthy coat and skin, then bathing should not be a regular necessity. Brush your dog as needed, rinse them when they get a bit of dirt on their paws or legs and wipe them down with a damp cloth from time to time. You can also try using an apple cider vinegar spray to help keep the coat feeling fresh without drying out the hair or skin. This is especially helpful after brushing a short-haired double coated breed, like a labrador.

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1) Fill a spray bottle with 1 parts apple cidar vinegar to 9 parts water (you can use 15-20% vinegar if needed).

2) On a mist setting, spritz their coat down lightly. Try to avoid their faces or head alltogether as some dogs are not too fond of it.

3) Gently wipe down with a clean hand towel and repeat if needed. For many types of fur, this should give a clean sleek feeling.