Natures Garden is a six-product dog bath range: four shampoos and two conditioners, with one of the shampoos written specifically for puppies. It is a small range by design — the choice is made on coat colour, coat condition and the age of the dog, not on a long list of variants. Nothing here is a veterinary product; a dog with broken skin, hot spots or a persistent smell needs a vet before it needs a different shampoo.
Which of the four shampoos
The Bactericidal Shampoo for All Dogs is the cleansing wash in the range, the one usually chosen for a dog that has rolled in something or gets grubby between baths. The three Aromatherapy shampoos are split by coat: one for Puppies, one for White Dogs and one for Black/Brown Dogs. The colour split is about how a wash finishes a coat rather than about cleaning power — formulas aimed at pale coats work to stop white going dull or yellowish, while the dark-coat version is built to leave depth and shine on black and brown fur. The puppy formula is the gentlest of the group and the right starting point for a young dog's first few baths; there is no reason to use an adult wash on a puppy when a puppy version exists.
Do you need the conditioner?
Two conditioners follow the shampoos. Shiny Coat Conditioner for All Dogs is the finishing rinse, aimed at gloss and at making a long coat easier to comb out afterwards. Skin & Coat Conditioner for All Dogs is the one to reach for when the coat is dry, harsh or static after washing. Short, smooth-coated dogs bathed occasionally can usually skip conditioner altogether. Long, double or curly coats benefit most, because conditioner reduces the drag that causes tangles to form again while the coat dries.
Getting a better result from a bath
Brush the coat out before it gets wet — water tightens existing knots and makes them far harder to remove. Wet right down to the skin rather than just the surface, dilute the shampoo a little so it spreads, and rinse for longer than feels necessary; leftover product is a common cause of post-bath itching. Keep water and suds out of the ears and eyes, and dry a thick coat properly rather than leaving it damp at the roots.
