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In a hurry? Call or text (669) 281-0022 and Ace will book you directly.
In a hurry? Call or text (669) 281-0022 and Ace will book you directly.
Day four in the cone. The dog smells like the vet clinic and the couch, and you badly want to wash them. Hold off. Here is why the incision has to stay dry, the usual timelines, how to keep a recovering dog clean in the meantime, and how to tell when a real bath is okay.
Your vet's instructions come first. We wash dogs for a living. We are not vets, and this page is general guidance, not medical advice. If your discharge sheet says something different from anything here, follow the sheet, and if you are unsure, call the clinic.
The standard guidance after most surgeries is no bath, no swimming, and no soaking until the incision has been checked or the sutures are out, which is often around 10 to 14 days. A healing incision is an open route into the body until it closes. Water can carry bacteria in, and soaking can soften edges that have not knitted together yet.
Waiting a few extra days costs you a slightly grubby dog. Rushing it can cost an infection, a reopened incision, and another trip to the vet.
An abdominal incision, usually the largest of the routine surgeries. The common rule is no bath, no swimming, and no soaking until the vet checks the incision or the sutures come out, often around 10 to 14 days.
A smaller incision, same basic rule: keep it dry until the vet says otherwise. Neutered dogs are often back to full energy within days, which makes the waiting harder, not shorter.
Treat it like any incision: dry until cleared. Location matters. An incision on a leg or near the tail gets dirty faster, so ask the vet exactly how to keep that spot clean.
No skin incision, so the rules are different, and the recovery is about the mouth: soft food, no chew toys, medication on schedule. Anesthesia recovery day is not bath day. Ask your vet when a bath is fine, and keep water out of the mouth while the gums heal.
Bandages and splints must stay dry, and standing in a tub may not be allowed at all during rehab. The vet sets this timeline, full stop.
A damp, warm cloth on the paws, face, and rear end, well away from the incision. Dry each spot afterwards. That covers most of what makes a recovering dog feel grubby.
A gentle brush-through lifts dust and loose hair and keeps longer coats from matting while they cannot be bathed. Stay clear of the incision and any shaved area.
Some contain fragrance or alcohol. Use them only on areas far from the incision, and ask your vet before using anything near it.
Most of the smell in the house after a surgery is the bed, the blanket, and the inside of the cone. Wash the bedding every few days and wipe the inside of the cone daily with a damp cloth.
Licking is the biggest threat to a healing incision, far bigger than a bit of dirt. Do not take the cone off for a clean-up unless the vet has said it is okay, and put it back before you look away.
Call the vet the same day for redness that spreads, swelling, heat, discharge, a bad smell from the incision, a gap in the closure, or a dog who seems to be in more pain, not less.
A senior coming off a dental or a lump removal is often stiffer, more tired, and more easily chilled than before the procedure, even after the vet clears a bath. Keep the first one short and warm. Put traction under every paw. Do not lift a recovering dog over a tub wall, and do not end with a towel and a damp coat, because a damp senior gets cold fast.
If the car ride to a groomer is itself the hard part, that is one more reason to bring the bath to the dog. Big dogs in particular are covered on our big dog wash page: ramp entry, no lifting.
When it is time: warm water, a mild shampoo, no scrubbing over the scar, a rinse that runs longer than the wash, and a full dry to the skin. If the dog still smells after that first real bath, work through the dog-still-smells checklist, since a post-dental mouth or damp undercoat is often the culprit.
Tell us about the procedure when you book. We come to your driveway: ramp entry, non-slip mat, warm water, one dog at a time, and a dry that goes all the way to the skin. We will not wash through an open wound or a dog in obvious pain, and we would rather reschedule than rush a recovery. Our senior and anxious dogs page covers how we handle older and fragile dogs. $75 to $155 by size, nail trim and ear cleaning included.
Frames from real washes, not stock.
Ramp entry, warm water, full dry, at your driveway. $75 to $155 by size, nail trim and ear cleaning included.
or text us at (669) 281-0022
Owner-operated · Local service
I run Bay Area Mobile Dog Wash myself, and I’ve brought on groomers with 12+ years of experience — so now every cut, from a tidy trim to a full breed haircut, happens in the van at your curb. Every visit is one dog at a time: warm water, a full brush-out, a proper dry, and a haircut if you want one, with no salon drive and no cage waiting. The van is open to you the whole time — stand at the door and watch every minute if you like. Big dogs, heavy shedders and nervous seniors are the reason this service exists.
What our customers say
Wonderful experience! Ace did an amazing job grooming my Siberian Husky. She can be a little difficult and anxious during grooming, but Ace was incredibly calm and patient, which really helped keep her calm and comfortable too. She looked absolutely beautiful, clean, and fluffy when he was finished. I really appreciated the care and attention Ace gave her and would definitely recommend!
Ace at Bay Area Mobile Dog Wash was absolutely wonderful with my senior dog. He was so gentle and patient with him, which meant everything to me given his age -- I could tell he genuinely cared about his comfort throughout the whole process. Beyond the excellent care, Ace was warm, loving, and clearly an animal lover at heart, while also being completely professional from start to finish. It's rare to find someone who balances that kind of tenderness with real expertise, and my dog came out looking and smelling great without a hint of stress. Highly recommend Ace and Bay Area Mobile Dog Wash. Price is great!
Ace was punctual & accommodating. He was friendly & outgoing not only me & my husband but toward the dogs as well, calling them by name on our very first booking. Dogs came home clean & unstressed which is never the case when they’re washed at the groomer’s shop, around other dogs. Highly recommend.
Wonderful experience! Ace did an amazing job grooming my Siberian Husky. She can be a little difficult and anxious during grooming, but Ace was incredibly calm and patient, which really helped keep her calm and comfortable too. She looked absolutely beautiful, clean, and fluffy when he was finished. I really appreciated the care and attention Ace gave her and would definitely recommend!
We booked Bay Area Mobile Dog Wash for our 90-lb German Shepherd, Koda, who hates the groomer. Ace parked the van right in our driveway in Willow Glen, walked her up the ramp himself — no lifting, no cage, no other dogs — and I watched the whole wash from my doorstep. Bath, nails, ears, and she came back inside dry and calm. Flat $95 exactly as the website said, no surprise charges. We've already booked next month. 😊❤️
Ace did a great job with our little old chihuahua mix. Our appointment was for the evening and he came prepared with warm water, and made our sure our dog was comfortable the entire time. Don't let the lack of reviews on yelp scare you away, his prices are good, and he takes time to ensure that good work is done.
He did such an amazing job with my dog! He came out looking so nice, clean, and well-groomed, but what stood out to me most was how happy and comfortable he seemed afterward. You can really tell he was treated with care throughout the entire process. I'm extremely pleased with how everything turned out and would definitely recommend him!
Overall, we had a very positive experience with our first mobile grooming appointment. Although he arrived a little late due to a minor scheduling miscommunication, Ace was very kind, communicative, and especially patient with our dog, who can be anxious about grooming. He took the time to help him feel comfortable, completed the grooming efficiently, and our dog seemed happy and in great spirits afterward. We really appreciated his gentle approach and care!
SUCH a great - and easy! - experience! Asa was immediately responsive (I love when businesses actually answer their phone!), worked Moose in within 24 hours, was communicative throughout, bought unscented products specifically for us, did a great job with my 12 year old doodle … all in all: amazing service!
Ace at Bay Area Mobile Dog Wash was absolutely wonderful with my senior dog. He was so gentle and patient with him, which meant everything to me given his age — I could tell he genuinely cared about his comfort throughout the whole process. Beyond the excellent care, Ace was warm, loving, and clearly an animal lover at heart, while also being completely professional from start to finish. It's rare to find someone who balances that kind of tenderness with real expertise, and my dog came out looking and smelling great without a hint of stress. Highly recommend Ace and Bay Area Mobile Dog Wash.
Ace was great with my 3 small dogs. They got washed and towel dried, their ears checked, their nails trimmed. One star off because he trimmed one nail too far and it bled for a long time, plus distressed my already anxious dog. Important to know that this service isn't van-based (yet). Ace brings a portable wash station to set up outside. He brings his own water and supplies. He doesn't do any hair cuts, just basic wash and towel dry. I'll call him again in the future!
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