Golden Retriever Grooming – How to Get Started
Golden retriever grooming is something that every owner should become familiar with. An owner should begin grooming their puppy even before they need it so that they become used to it. Feathery coated dogs definitely need daily grooming to prevent matting, but smooth coated dogs also need grooming since their undercoat can become matted as well. Expect to spend a half hour per day grooming a feathery coated dog, and a half hour per week for a smooth coated dog. Trimming the fur should be done as needed, after brushing is done.
To avoid matting, daily brushing becomes especially necessary when a golden retriever is shedding. A feathery coated dog definitely requires daily brushing. Matting attracts fleas, and a mat becomes more of a problem the longer it is left unaddressed. Water makes a mat even worse.
Taking care of matted fur requires a wide toothed comb, oil or detangling conditioner, a mat breaker, or possibly rounded scissors, depending on if you choose to untangle the mat or cut it away. Use the comb by starting at the edges of the mat. Use the conditioner to untangle the mat, or use a mat breaker or scissors to cut it away. It is best to groom your dog regularly so that you can avoid matting.
You also need to have a slicker brush and a pin brush for golden retriever grooming. Before giving your dog a bath, you should brush him completely, because mats and tangles will become worse otherwise. You should use regular water instead of soap to wash his legs and underside after brushing dirt out, so that his undercoat will stay healthy.
More basic golden retriever grooming includes checking your dog’s skin using a flea comb, and cleaning his ears and nails weekly, trimming nails as needed. Using pet nail trimmers, only cut a small amount away at a time. Cutting too much risks injuring your dog (just like trimming a person’s nails), and it will be more difficult for him to let you trim them again.
