Winter is a beautiful time for outdoor adventures with your dog. Frosty fields and parks, crisp air and of course, tail-waggingly exciting muddy puddles! Winter walks are great for us and our dogs, but they can leave our furry friends muddy, damp, and needing extra care.
WildWash and Wilsons Pet Food have joined forces to bring you the Ultimate Guide for at-home grooming, to ensure everyone enjoys Winter walks, however wet and muddy!
This guide offers advice to help ease your dog into the grooming experience, help you master the actual grooming process, and highlight the importance of diet to maintain your dog’s glossy coat and healthy skin. We’ve also shared details of products that can help during grooming so your dog stays happy, healthy, and looking its best.
As with any new experience for a dog, grooming can be a little overwhelming on day one, so don’t throw them in at the deep end, literally! The more your dog gets used to elements of grooming gradually, the more relaxed they’ll become and likely end up enjoying it.
TIP 1:
Slowly introduce brushes, time in the bath, shower water on the paws, and the background noise of a hairdryer (if you plan on using one). Make the event fun, shower with praise, and provide natural tasty treats as a reward for their excellent behaviour. Ease your dog into the grooming experience with positive reinforcement. Before you know it, they’ll be dashing to the bathroom for pup pamper time.
TIP 2:
Try using Wilsons Calming Supplements, 70% chicken with calming ingredients such as chamomile. A high value reward, tempting and with health benefits.
Preparation is key to a stress-free grooming session. Gather your tools: a sturdy brush, towels, the right grooming products, and delicious treats close by for both an incentive and a reward.
BRUSH FIRST :
Begin by brushing your dog’s coat to remove loose dirt and tangles. This is especially important in winter when moisture and mud can lead to mats that irritate the skin.
TIP 1 :
The WildWash Detangling Spray can make the initial brush-through much easier and more effective, leaving your dog’s coat smooth and manageable.
TIP 2 :
Reinforce with a positive association early by rewarding your dog’s willingness to be brushed. Wilsons Pheasant Bites are ideal, 100% pheasant and 100% natural. Too tempting to resist! Or try Wilsons Skin & Coat Supplements 70% chicken, a high-value reward, with the added benefit of ingredients such as vitamin E for aiding healthy skin and a glossy coat.
Bath time doesn’t have to be a chore with the right approach and products. WildWash shampoos are made with natural ingredients, free from harsh chemicals, and designed to suit every dog’s needs.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT SHAMPOO :
If your dog is prone to dry, itchy skin during winter, the WildWash Pro Sensitive Shampoo for Allergy Skin or the WildWash Hydrating Shampoo offers gentle cleansing while soothing irritation. For pups who might have picked up unwanted visitors whilst out, the Anti-Flea Shampoo provides effective relief without harsh pesticides.
DILUTION FOR PRECISION & COST-EFFECTIVENESS:
Use the WildWash Mixing Bottle to dilute the shampoo perfectly, ensuring an even and economical wash.
RINSE THOROUGHLY :
Massage the shampoo into your dog’s coat, rinse well, and watch as mud and grime disappear, leaving a clean and healthy coat.
Winter can strip your dog’s coat and skin of natural oils, so conditioning hugely helps.
CONDITION WITH CARE :
The Nourishing Conditioner hydrates and protects your dog’s coat, preventing dryness and itchiness.
PAW CARE :
After exposure to icy pavements and grit, soothe and protect your dog’s paws with WildWash Magic Paw Balm. It’s a game-changer for keeping pads soft and crack-free.
Once the wash is complete, it’s time to dry and pamper.
GENTLE DRYING :
If needed, pat your dog dry with a towel and use a pet-safe dryer. Avoid over-drying, as this can irritate the skin. Then, prepare for Zoomies, a popular way for lively dogs to dry!
TIP :
A perfect time to offer a more substantial reward for dazzling behaviour. Choose a treat that provides additional enrichment too. Within time, your dog will associate bath time with this much-anticipated ‘special’ treat. Wilsons Beef Liver is an irresistible enrichment treat and is packed with valuable Omega oils, aiding great skin and coat.
Healthy skin and a glossy coat don’t just happen; they start with what’s in your dog’s bowl! That’s why we’re proud to have Wilsons Pet Food as part of our mission to care for your dog, inside and out. All natural recipes are packed with quality ingredients and free from any junk or fillers, and for us groomers, there’s plenty to choose from when wanting an extra boost of Omega 3, 6 and 9 to support healthy skin and a glossy coat. Check out the full range of Wilsons natural recipes including cold pressed dry dog food, raw meals, tasty treats and supplements.
Wilsons cold pressed was recently voted ‘Best Dry Dog Food 2025’ by Your Dog magazine and named ‘Product You Can’t Live Without’. Each tasty pellet is gently pressed to lock in all the goodness of the nutritious ingredients and as with all Wilsons recipes, it is free from junk or fillers. Recipes are ideal for dogs with allergies too, with a variety of meals grain free, wheat free, chicken free and pea free, perfect for sensitive pups.
Wee Salmon Crunchies, a perfect post-scrub reward, packed with omega oils
• Premium Cold pressed, Salmon – a powerhouse of natural goodness; complete balanced meals containing everything your dog needs to stay fit and well
• Wilsons Premium Scottish Salmon Oil – ethically and sustainably sourced
• Wee Salmon Crunchies – 100% tiny salmon
• Skin & Coat Supplements – 70% chicken plus vitamin E, chia seeds, blueberry, turmeric
• Wilsons Calming Supplements – 70% chicken with camomile to aid relaxation
• Wilsons Beef Liver – a perfect post-bath enrichment reward, packed with Omega 3 and 6
Feeding your four-legged friend a natural and nutritious diet will ensure they look and feel their absolute best.
Here’s the most exciting part, you could win everything you need for a perfect Winter Walkies Washdown and a very well-nourished pup, with our Christmas giveaway! WildWash and Wilsons have teamed up to bring you a fantastic prize bundle; WildWash’s Ultimate Grooming Kit for Dogs and Wilsons’ tail-waggingly tasty recipes – worth over £200 in total! It’s your chance to pamper your pup from head to tail and keep them looking and feeling great this Winter.
For your chance to win, enter here.
Share this post with your friends and family
Follow Us for updates, info and tips
Developed by GW 'The Marketing Guy' | All Rights Reserved | © 2024 WildWash
Join our email list to stay up-to-date about the latest products and offers, plus get
10% OFF
your first purchase.
By submitting, you agree to receive marketing emails for information on news, promotions, and offers from WildWash. For more details see our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe at anytime.
