Shampooing your dog at least every couple of weeks will help keep the doggy odors at bay. It will also help curtain any skin conditions, such as ringworm, folliculitis, and dandruff. But shampooing your dog can be time-consuming and difficult if you don't approach this task in the right manner. Follow these tips, and your shampooing sessions should go more smoothly.

Use a mild shampoo.

If you use a shampoo that's too harsh, you may strip the oils from your dog's coat and skin, leaving him or her looking rough and feeling itchy. Plus, the harsh shampoo may sting, causing your dog to struggle in the bath. Mild dog shampoos made with ingredients like oatmeal and chamomile are easy to find in pet stores. Avoid using shampoo made for humans, cats, or other animals as they have a different pH than is ideal for your dog's skin.

Brush your dog first.

You'll have an easier time working the shampoo through your dog's coat if it is nicely brushed out and smooth. So, give your dog a nice, thorough brushing prior to bath time. As you brush, keep your eyes out for any sores or wounds that might be hiding under your dog's coat. If you spot any sores, avoid getting shampoo on or near them.

Put cotton balls in his ears.

It can be tough to get your dog's head and neck clean without getting water in his ears. A good solution is to put some cotton balls in his ears before you start bathing him. Don't push them in too far -- just insert them in the very ends of the ear canals to keep any water from flowing in. You can now lather up your dog's neck and the top of his head without worry.

Fill the tub first.

Many dogs' coats are slightly water-resistant, so it will take a long time for the hair to become fully soaked if you spray your dog down. A faster way to wet his entire coat is to fill the tub with warm water, and then put him into the filled tub. Once the dog is wet, you can drain the tub, lather him up with shampoo, and then rinse him off with the sprayer.

Shampooing is pretty simple when you have a dog who sits still and enjoys the process. If you have a dog that struggles a bit more and you've been having trouble keeping him calm, consider taking him to a professional pet grooming company for his shampoos.