Shampoo and Conditioner

• Any kind of dog shampoo is fine for bathing a bichon frise. It is fine to purchase a shampoo strictly on its smell if you so desire. The main idea is to get the dog clean. If you're concerned that the shampoo may be drying to the skin, choose a variety that contains oatmeal. Oatmeal moisturizes skin and leaves the coat silky. In addition to shampoo, conditioner may be used. It is not required, but will help when it's time to comb out the coat. Knots will comb through much easier if conditioner is applied. Conditioner comes in two forms: a wash-out type that needs to be rinsed with water, and a leave-in type that is sprayed on after towel drying the coat.
  
  

Tools

• Brushes and combs of various types will be needed before and after the bath. Before the bath, brushing the dog's coat helps loosen dirt. After bathing, a wide-toothed comb helps to comb out any knots. A hand dryer can be used to dry the coat after bathing. It might be a good time to clip the toenails, too.
  
  

Cleaning the Ears

• Part of bathing a bichon frise is cleaning the inside of the ears. Hair is removed by pulling inside the ears. Mineral oil on a cotton ball can be used to remove any dirt or grime inside the ear. If the ears aren't kept clean, ear infections could develop and cause the dog severe pain.
  
  

Make Him Smell Good

• Doggy cologne can be used as a last step in the bathing process. It comes in many different scents and can be bought at any pet store. It gets sprayed on the dry coat and makes the bichon frise smell good. The cologne should last a few days to a week before more needs to be added.