I used to own a Boarder Collie and he was one hairy dog and I can tell you giving a large dog a bath will not always be an easy task but in the end you will have a much cleaner dog that will be a joy to have in your household!

You see big hairy dogs tend to smell more than little dogs especially if they have been out for a walk and decided to jump in the local swamp for a paddle.

grooming table or picnic table if possible a big dog harness for the dog hose with water that is mixed warm and cold spray nozzle on hose ice cream bucket for the water if you don't have a hose dog shampoo bucket for mixing up shampoo dog conditioner eye wash or plain saline eye drops scissors steel-toothed comb wire pin brush baby wipes paper towel woolly large terry cloth towel one or two assistants dog treats dog crate or enclosed space blanket fan

1. Put the harness on the dog first of all.

2. Get the dog up onto the grooming table. Have the assistant there to hold the dog and give it an occasional treat. Or as mentioned above you can groom and wash your dog outside with a gardening hose. Whatever is easier for you.

3. Turn on the water and check to see that it is "tepid" (the same temperature as your own skin is ideal).

4. Turn the spray nozzle to mist setting or use a sprinkler on your hose.

5. Place the nozzle directly onto the dog's coat, starting at the top of the head and completely wet the dog down from head to tail.

6. Pour the shampoo into a bucket and add water so that it is sudsy. Or if washing outside place shampoo directly on to your dog.

7. Starting at the dog's head, suds the dog all over, using your hands and pouring the suds out of the bucket when needed. Or rub the shampoo into the dogs coat until you have a well lathered dog.

8. Once the dog is all suds, then rinse the suds out of the coat well making sure not to leave any soap residue.

9. Pour the dog hair conditioner into your hand and massage into the dog's coat thoroughly. This is a vital part of grooming and washing your dog so you need to make sure you do it correctly and thoroughly

10. Once again rinse the dog all over thoroughly

11. Dry the dog all over with the woolly towel and then the dog dryer if you have one, or just do what I do and use a normal hand held one. But a word of warning please don't have it too hot that it will burn your dog.

12. Put the blanket into the dog crates or an enclosed space or just let your dog loose in the garden on a patio area but not the lawn or near any soil as it will mean having to re-bath your dog, it is up to you.

13. If you have decided to use dog crates or enclosed spaces then you need to put the dog into the dog crates or enclosed spaces.

14. If you have decided to use dog crates or enclosed spaces then you need to turn the fan on medium so that it blows the dog dry.

If you don't have warm water in your hose (mixed) then use a bucket with the water in it to pour over the dog. Massage the suds into the coat well and leave set the required amount of time if it is a flea shampoo.

Using the conditioner will help to keep cocklebur's and sticks and things from sticking in your dog's coat.

Using the harness makes it easy for your assistant to hold onto the dog .

It is perfectly ok to use the soap and water in the dog's ears, it will help to flush out grime and hardened wax.

Absolutely do NOT use cold water straight from the tap! It is too cold for the dog and can make him sick!

Rinse the dog very thoroughly, leaving soap "scum" in the coat will cause hot spots and dermatitis.

Be careful not to get shampoo in the dog's eyes, use the eye drops immediately if this occurs and wipe them out with a paper towel. Dry the dog well with the woolly towel and do not leave the dog outside, it will get muddy again!