I think dogs shouldn't be bathed more than once a week unless they have a condition that requires frequent shampooing, such as a bacterial or yeast infection on the skin. I have had clients at the vet's office have to bathe their dog every other day with a medicated shampoo and this didn't dry out the skin. I think it depends on the dog and the type of shampoo you are using. A harsh shampoo would dry out the skin more quickly.
I think shedding has to do with the breed and not the hair length. Poodles can have long curly hair but they don't shed as much as a Frenchie with very short hair.
Dogs should get their rabies shot every year or every 3 years if it's required by law. In New York City it is required by law to have the rabies shot every 3 years. Other vaccines such as DA2PP (distemper) can be every year until the dog becomes a senior and then a blood test can be done to check antibody levels. This is how it is done at my vet's office. I'm sure other vets have different protocols.
Older dogs can get anesthesia as long as they are healthy and have a proper work up such as chest X rays and blood work. I do anesthesia all the time on older dogs and they are not at a higher risk for dying unless they have an underlying disease such as heart disease. Dogs should also most definitely get pain medications. Studies have shown that they feel the same pain as we can. I have seen animals benefit from pain medication. It calms them down and relaxes them. It's not a pretty sight to see an animal in pain.
