Rub-A-Dog

The summer is a fantastic time to enjoy the outdoors with your dog. From hiking, to beach time, to hanging in the park, there is nothing quite like seeing your pup romp around in the sunshine.

John and I just returned from a short vacation (with the dogs, of course), and one of the biggest highlights of the trip for both of us was watching our dogs play in the ocean every morning. Not only was it great to see them run into the waves chasing their favorite frisbee (the Zisc by West Paw), but it was equally joyous for us to see them collapse on the couch the minute we got home.

Barksdale is one sleepy guy after the beach

However, we quickly realized that along with having tired and happy dogs, we also had sandy and smelly dogs. Luckily for us, we brought some of our best dog-cleaning supplies with us.

Here are some of my must-haves for preventing a smelly-dog summer:

Oatmeal Goodness

Since my dogs have sensitive skin and are particularly itchy during the summer, we are always careful to get shampoos that are soothing and don't contain harsh chemicals. One of our favorites is Harry Barker's Oatmeal Shampoo and Conditioner. This line contains colloidal oatmeal, which is widely recognized for its anti-itch properties and its benefits to inflamed or scaly skin. It works beautifully on our dogs and makes them smell heavenly for at least a couple of days (or until they manage to get themselves back into the ocean, anyway!)

Another great option as an all-around shampoo is the Buddy Wash line from Cloudstar. I can't tell you how many times a day I overhear customers comment on how much they love the Buddy Wash line. Not only is it made with natural herbs and oils, but since these are two-in-one shampoo and conditioners, you can cut bath time in half. They also come in three fantastic scents: Green tea, Lavender, and Rosemary mint. A really great product!

Finally, the one product that my husband and I can't live without is the Buddy Splash Dog Spritzer, also from Cloudstar. Since my dogs would stage a protest if we tried to wash them every day, this is just the product to help you get from one bath time to the next. It keeps your dog's fur soft, conditioned, and smelling great. There is really nothing better to help get you through a potentially smelly summer.

Knowing that having clean-smelling dogs is only a quick bath or spritz away, makes it easy for me to watch as my dogs dig in the dirt, roll in the sand, and play in the ocean. And that, after all, is exactly what summertime is all about!