Bissell BarkBath Portable Dog Bath System

UPDATE: Some pro tips that I've learned as I continue to use this amazing product. - For double coated dogs, consider following the instruction to remove the extra layer of the sprayer. - Hold the sprayer away from the coat and work the water or shampoo into the coat. - Remember to do the vacuum stroke to help dry the coat. Go slow with the vacuum stroke. I still love this tool. I use it frequently. I even like the shampoo. I still also do a full bath for my dogs, and I have a dryer that I use after bark bathing or regular bathing. It is still a great way to get dogs clean in between full baths. I still strongly recommend this product. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I just bathed a spayed female with a thick coat, an intact mama dog and her two 5-month-old puppies. In an hour. With cleanup. And one of the puppies a little hesitant. The product worked just as advertised. I have Belgian Sheepdogs. This is a medium length, double-coated breed. It worked very well on my dogs. I'd like to address some of the negatives I read. 1. Water. Yes, this product uses water. Yes, your dog may shake a little. The trick is to use it like you use your carpet shampoo machine. Dispense shampoo, vacuum up excess for several strokes. Rinse. Vacuum up the excess. I actually soaked Pearl, shown in the photos attached, pretty well. She shook a few times, but she was pretty clean afterwards. Yes, I got a little wet. Compared to the dog wash, much LESS wet. Yes, there was a little water on the grooming table, and a few dribbles on the floor. Solution: extra towels next time. 2. Machine leaks. I think it's more that I sloshed as I emptied the tank, or filled the fresh water side. Mine did not leak, other than the drips I made. And those were not substantial. Solution: extra towels next time. 3. The dog gets too wet. See 1 above. Vacuum a LOT in between wash and rinse strokes. Also, go slowly with the strokes. 4. The machine does not get deep enough. If you read the instructions, you'll note that you can take a layer off the shampoo head, making the brush tines a little longer. Worked very well on my VERY heavy coated spayed female, and she is in heavy shed mode right now. I also lifted her top coat and worked a little deeper. Be sure to rinse well if you do that. I also feel compelled to express here that this is not a replacement for periodic grooming with a pro, or getting yourself to the self-serve dog wash. But it can put some distance between the expense and the hassle of those things. And your groomer might not charge you that extra-dirty-dog charge any more. (fingers crossed) Not only that - but the dirty water was dirty. Really dirty. I'm very happy that my dogs are now slightly less dusty right now. 5. Priming. That part was easy and fast. I have no idea why anyone would complain about it. 6. Shampoo. This is the only thing that worries me, because if one of the dogs decides that the prescribed shampoo makes her itchy, I won't be able to use it. I would encourage Bissell to formulate a shampoo without laurel sulfate if possible, and one that moisturizes. My work around, meantime, will be to use another dry shampoo that I have, and use the machine to rinse. UPDATE: I'm not displeased with the shampoo. Their coats look great, and no noticeable reaction at about 24 hours after shampoo. 7. The bathtub is easier. You, dear reviewers, have a much better back that I do. I put my dogs up on the grooming table and I got to stand up the whole time, dispensing hot dog treats generously. 8. Noise. Non-issue at my house. Dogs are used to the vacuum, don't mind the noise. If you have a vacuum sensitive dog, run the machine while giving treats a few times before you try to bathe. And make it a party with the treats. Also, this is a similar machine to what your groomer likely uses. If you take your dog to the groomer, the noise may not be a scary thing. While this product does not replace groomer time for my show dogs, it makes in between bathing much easier on me. I'm really pleased with it. I highly recommend this product.