VOLUNTARY GROOMING BATH TUB SAFETY GUIDELINES.
For this voluntary code to be fully effective, those involved in the care and handling of dogs and puppies should accept and adopt the recommendations of the Code;
A) Code of Practice for Canadian Kennel Operations
B) NGAC Codicil for Grooming Bath Tub Safety Guidelines.
These are the most important guidelines that govern the safety of an animal during Bathing Procedures.
Equipment Standard:
1. Bath tub should be in good order with proper caulking and free of Mould and Mildew.
2. Properly installed secure clamps for attaching neck noose and or body harness.
3. Adequate supply of both bath towels and hand towels within arms reach and within reach so as not to leave the animal unattended should these items be required.
4. Adequate supply of shampoo within arms reach and within reach so as not to leave the animal unattended should these items be required.
5. Proper ear and eye protection to be worn and within arms reach should it be required and within reach so as not to leave the animal unattended should these items be required.
6. Rubber matting to be placed in bottom of tub to ensure adequate footing for animal that is of adequate length and width of ensure coverage of the floor of the tub.
7. Rubber matting to be placed on the floor where the attendant will be standing to ensure proper footing while bathing the animal.
8. Electrical plugs near the tub to be of Code and high enough off the floor to ensure water does not penetrate or cause any issue of safety while the procedure of bathing is occurring.
9. Waste container and Poop Bags to be conveniently located and within reach so as not to leave the animal unattended should these items be required.
10. All tools and or muzzles should they be required for bathing methods of the salon be within arms reach so as not to leave the animal unattended should these items be required.
11. Individuals completing the bath should be appropriately dressed with rubber soled shoes and apron appropriate for the task.
12. Individuals completing the bath are advised that appropriate latex/rubber gloves should be worn when completing a medicated and or flea bath for their own health and safety. It is encouraged that all individuals wear gloves at all times during the bathing procedure outside of medicated baths and flea baths for their own health and safety.
13. Should Grid Bathing occur in the salon the grid should be of Shor-Line quality and with adequate space for the animal to comfortably move around and at a height that the individual administering the bath is also at a comfortable height so as not to injure themselves over reaching and stretching to reach the animal.
14. A laundry container should be close at hand to ensure the towels are properly placed in the container and nor left on the floor where someone could slip or trip on the item.
15. Proper disinfectant will be at hand to ensure that the tub area is disinfected and deemed organized in between each bath.
Procedure Method:
1. The Individual administering the bath needs to assess the animal for both temperament and weight prior to taking out of the kennel cage or housing area that the animal is confined in.
2. Once the assessment has been taken the individual will be required to move the animal from the holding area to the bath tub area. Assistance may be required based on the animal’s behavior and or weight. This is required for the health and safety of both the animal and the attendant.
3. Once placed in the tub, the animal should be secured with either a neck noose that is comfortably placed around the neck of the animal or is placed into a body harness should a neck noose not be appropriate for the animals welfare.
4. Temperature check is done for the water to ensure that is of a moderate temperature and comfortable for the animal for application of water to their body.
5. Water is then applied to the animal starting with the back of the animal and working forward. This is done to confirm the temperament of the animal and to reduce the number of injuries to an attendant.
6. Shampoo is applied to the animal starting with the back of the animal and working forward with the head being the last to be shampooed, ensuring that no shampoo gets into the eyes.
7. The head is rinsed first to ensure safety and comfort of the animal. The attendant will ensure that the shampoo is completely rinsed out and no residue is left behind.
8. The body is then rinsed thoroughly and the attendant will ensure that the shampoo is completely rinsed out and no residue is left behind.
9. The attendant will then re rinse the head to ensure that no shampoo has gotten into the eyes and will check the areas where the neck noose and or harness was used to ensure that all shampoo has been thoroughly rinsed from this area.
10. The attendant will then towel dry the animal starting with the head of the animal to ensure the comfort of the animal and then will move on to the rest of the animals body. More than one towel may need to be used to ensure proper methods of towel drying are done.
11. The attendant will assess the weight and the temperament of the animal and ask for assistance if required to safely move the animal from the bath tub to either a drying table and or kennel cage to await the drying process.
12. The neck noose and or harness is properly removed and set aside to ensure the animal and or the attendants have clear space to shift the animal safely.
13. The animal is lifted out of the tub, with or without assistance based on weight and or temperament of the animal and safely placed on a drying table and secured with two body straps and awaits the next attendant to take over the animal or is placed in an appropriate sized kennel cage to await drying, the attendant will ensure that the cage door is properly latched and secured and the animal is comfortable and away from any possible drafts that could cause the animal to become chilled.
14. At no time is the animal to be left unattended on a table not should an attendant turn their back on the animal until the next attendant steps forward to assume responsibility of the animal.
15. The bathing attendant will return to the bathtub to begin sanitation of the area and ensuring that the floor is not wet around the tub. This will ensure the safety of all members in the grooming arena.
16. The bathing attendant will organize themselves to begin the next animal bath in a safe and organized manner.
NOTE: a temperature regulator tap should be installed on all tubs to prevent scalding a dog if accidentally opened to full capacity.
