Quantity Control – You Don’t Need that Much

By far the biggest learning curve when you start using Iv San Bernard products is mentally gearing down as to how little you need to use to get phenomenal results. I liken it from feeding a Great Dane to feeding a Chihuahua. It really is hard to make that transition! In fact in most cases people over feed the Chihuahua (when was the last time you saw a skinny Chihuahua). In most dogs, we talk in teaspoons and tablespoons, not cups. Always mix up half of what you think you need to see how far it goes as you can always mix up more. If you have left overs, then mix less next time (refer to our suggested amounts). You only need enough product to feel the slip of the product on the coat. Any more than that or any in the tub is wasted product.

How Much Shampoo Does a Dog Need?

Iv San Bernard products are concentrated, so most dogs need teaspoons or tablespoons of product, not cups. A good rule: you only need enough to feel the slip of the product on the coat. Anything more, or anything left in the tub, is wasted.

• Dilute about 1 part product to 3 parts water.
• Mix up half of what you think you need. You can always mix more.
• If you have leftovers, mix less next time.
• Whisk the mixture into a foam so a small amount covers more coat. See why whisk?
• Leave it on for about 5 minutes instead of adding more product.

Suggested Amounts When Frothing

As a starting point, our product pages suggest about 0.5 teaspoon for a small pet with a short coat and about 1 teaspoon for a small pet with a long coat or a medium pet with a short coat, increasing with size and coat length. Check the instructions on each product page and the usage guide on our FAQs page.

Why Using Less Works Better

• Excess product is hard to rinse out and can leave residue on the coat.
• Concentrated formulas work through contact time, not volume.
• Less product means a much lower cost per bath. Several of our shampoos and conditioners work out to well under a dollar per bath.
• Less waste is better for your salon’s budget and the environment.

Related reading: getting the most from your shampoo and re-think how you apply product.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much Iv San Bernard shampoo should I use on my dog?

Very little. Dilute about 1 part product to 3 parts water and use just enough to feel slip on the coat, usually teaspoons or tablespoons rather than cups depending on the pet’s size and coat.

Why does a concentrated shampoo need to be diluted?

Diluting spreads the product evenly, makes it easier to rinse, and lets a small amount cover the whole coat.

Is using more shampoo better for a dirty dog?

No. Leaving a diluted product on the coat for about 5 minutes cleans better than adding more product.