A Full Guide to Golden Retriever Grooming

Golden Retrievers have occupied a spot for many families across the world as favorite home dogs. This is due to their fun-loving personality, gentle demeanor, and loyalty to their owners.

Being a caring Golden Retriever parent comes with considerable responsibilities, including regularly grooming your dog.

Proper grooming is a nice way of ensuring your double-coated canine looks sharp and glossy while caring for their overall well-being.

Whether you are a long-time Golden parent or a new owner, explore this guide to discover the tips about Golden Retriever grooming from brushing the coat to bathing the whole body and everything in between.

Why Is It Important to Groom Your Golden Retriever?

Grooming your Golden is important both to the dog and to you as the owner in several ways:

1. Maintains the coat

The most visible benefit of grooming is that it helps in maintaining the dog’s natural coat appearance and improves skin health.

Brushing the coat helps to maintain the glossy finish of the Golden Retriever by removing loose hair and aligning the fur in one direction.

Regular grooming is key in preventing the mats and tangles from forming on the dog’s coat. Intertwined and knotted fur is painful, irritating, and unhygienic to the pup because it traps lots of dirt.

2. Monitoring your dog’s skin

Grooming your Golden provides you with a good chance to observe and monitor their skin for any rushes, lamps, pests, or red patches.

Early detection and curing of any skin conditions on your dog can prevent them from suffering more damage.

3. Keeping your home clean

Golden Retrievers are well known for their shedding, especially during the seasonal changes in the year.

During this period, your home may gather lumps of fallen hair from the dog’s undercoat and this will make everything untidy.

Grooming your dog to remove fallen hair from the coat helps to keep the home clean and it is particularly helpful for people who may suffer from allergies since Golden Retrievers are not hypoallergenic.

4. Bonding with your dog

Full grooming presents a chance of bonding between you and your Golden Retriever. Cleaning your dog from top to bottom with gentle strokes and scrubbing passes affection to the dog and makes them appreciate you as the caregiver.

How Often Should You Groom a Golden Retriever?

Being double-coated dogs, Golden Retrievers require routine grooming to control their year-round shedding and to keep their coat in good condition.

Brushing your Golden every other week is a good way to remove weak fur from their undercoat and to untwist those tiny mats and tangles.

During the high shedding months, which occur in late spring and fall, you may be required to brush your lovely pup more frequently to control shedding.

Bathing your Golden Retriever should be done less frequently depending on several factors such as age and the activity level of the dog.

Taking them to the shower at least once every 4 – 6 weeks is a good way to clean their body and maintain their shiny coat.

You should trim or grind your dog’s nails at least once every month to keep them short and well-rounded.

We recommend that you create a detailed Golden Retriever grooming schedule for cleaning up and styling your furry friend.

How Much Grooming Does a Golden Retriever Need?

The frequency of taking your Golden Retriever to the grooming table will depend on several factors such as age and the dog’s activity level.

If you have a fun-loving and playful Golden who spends much of their time in the yard, then you will need to tidy them up whenever they step back into the house.

In such cases, you can clean their mucky paws using dog grooming wipes instead of taking them for a full-body shower.

On the other hand, a senior Golden Retriever with a docile lifestyle will require occasional grooming to keep the coat in good condition.

When To Start Grooming a Golden Retriever Puppy?

It’s safe to start grooming your Golden Retriever puppy for the first time when they are 8 weeks old.

You should be exceedingly careful when handling the puppy because they are still growing and developing their coats.

Juvenile Golden Retriever puppies will always get groomed by their mothers and older sibling by licking their skin from head to paws.

Subjecting your Golden puppy to early grooming may expose them to more danger than good. First off, their fur is too tender to be handled by any brush.

Furthermore, these young puppies can’t regulate their body temperatures as seen in adult dogs.

Bathing them will make them too chilled or too heated up and this may cause some infections including kennel cough.

How Long Does It Take to Groom a Golden Retriever?

The period it takes to groom your Golden Retriever will vary depending on the specific procedure and coat length.

If you decide to fully groom your dog, you may spend an average of 50 minutes getting everything done. You may however spend much more time grooming your dog during the high-shedding months.

You can shorten the grooming time by using the right tools for each procedure and teaching your canine friend to remain calm during the entire session.

How Much Does Grooming a Golden Retriever Cost?

1. At Home

The financial implications of grooming your Golden Retriever at home are largely laid on the initial purchase of the grooming tools and table.

The price tag on grooming kits for dogs will vary depending on the quality, brand, and exact tools that you require for your procedure.

A good grooming set for double-coated dogs will cost you an average of $60. This kit includes everything you need to get started including nail clippers, brushes, and raking tools.

The other cost implication for grooming your dog at home is laid on the consumables. You should expect to pay anywhere between $10 – $40 for dog shampoo and conditioner for bathing.

2. At a Groomer

The cost tag of hiring professional grooming services will vary depending on the groomer’s location, the services offered, and the size of the dog.

If you decide to drive your Golden Retriever to a local pet grooming salon, you may have to part with anything between $30 – $80 for the services offered.

A mobile dog groomer can come to your location on request for an average pay of between $40 – $80 or even more, depending on the company offering the service.

If you would love to personally groom your dog but you don’t want to deal with the hair mess, you can pay an average of $25 to access an equipped self-grooming station.

What Kind of Grooming Does a Golden Retriever Need?

Golden Retrievers require the following set of grooming procedures to keep them clean, hygienic, and in good health

• Brushing
• Coat Trimming
• Nail trimming
• Bathing
• Ear cleaning
• Dental care

You can undertake one grooming procedure at a time or do the full set at once when required.

Some grooming procedures should be done more frequently than others. For example, you can brush your Goldie several times a week, but you should only bathe them once a month (at most).

List of Golden Retriever grooming tools

• Brush (slicker, pin, raking tool)
• Comb
• Nail clippers
• Trimming shears
• Dog shampoo
• Dog ear-cleaning solution
• Blow dryer
• Towels
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Lick mats (optional)

How To Groom a Golden Retriever at Home

Before attending to your dog’s cleanliness at home, you need to ensure that you have all the tools needed to provide excellent service.

We recommend getting a sizeable grooming table and setting it in a furnished room with a bathtub or running water.

Preparing Your Golden Retriever for Grooming

Grooming your dog can sometimes be a huge task especially if the dog is getting spruced up for the first time.

You will need to prepare your Goldie for the upcoming pampering sessions by making them comfortable and relaxed before you start.

1. Stay calm

Dogs can read our facial expressions. If you appear gloomy during the session, your Golden Retriever will most likely mirror the same feelings to you and this could make it harder.

Make sure to stay calm and speak to your dog in a soothing tone to assure them everything is okay and that you are enjoying their company.

2. Show your dog the tools

You can start by showing your dog the tools of the day. Let them sniff and investigate the brushes, nail clippers, shampoo bottles, and everything else that you plan on using.

Dogs are more likely to fret when they see grooming tools on the table for the first time when taking them in.

3. Use lick mats to calm your dog

If your Golden Retriever has a hard time standing still on the grooming table, you can smear some peanut butter on the lick mat groove and give it to the dog.

This provides a good way to entertain your Golden as you care for their body. These lick mats have sanctions cups to mount on any surface for your convenience.

4. Take your time

Don’t rush your Golden Retriever to join you at the grooming table. Allow them to do everything at their own pace with guidance.

Even during the actual grooming, we recommend that you take everything slow, especially when dealing with sensitive parts like ears, paws, and nails.

A Step-By-Step Guide to Grooming Your Golden Retriever

Once your Goldie is prepared to get cleaned up, you can set them on the grooming platform for an easier flow of work.

1. Brushing the dog

Start by brushing your dog with a slicker brush to remove detached hair, loose fur, and debris materials from their undercoat.

Stroke the coat gently while carefully observing for any physical signs of injuries on the skin.

If the fur is matted and tangled, you can use a raking tool to remove the intertwined portions to create a smooth finish.

You should brush or rake your dog’s coat in the direction of hair growth. Gliding through the opposite direction will cause irritation and immature hair breakage.

2. Bathing the dog

After brushing your Golden’s coat, you can now take them to the bathtub in preparation for a warm shower. Remember not to frequently bathe your Golden Retriever every other day.

Excessive bathing can strip off the natural oils from your dog’s skin hence making the skin dry, dull, and itchy.

Get a handheld showerhead ready and moisten the dog’s coat starting from the neck and working downwards to the entire body.

Be careful not to run water in your dog’s ears because the droplets might cause irritation and could advance to cause ear infections.

Once your Golden is soaked up in lukewarm water, you can then lather up the entire coat with dog shampoo and sponge down the entire body.

Do not apply regular dog shampoo on your pup’s face because it may hurt their eyes. If you need to wash your dog’s face, make sure to use a tearless shampoo for the best results.

Rinse your Golden Retriever with lukewarm water by washing away all the shampoo from their coat without leaving any residue behind. Residual soap may dry on your dog’s skin and irritate them afterward.

Use a clean towel to dry your Golden’s coat and make sure to absorb all moisture from the undercoat and skin. You can also use a blow dryer on minimal heat to dry your dog – if they are not irritated by loud noises.

3. Brush again

Once your dog’s fur is dry, you can glide through the coat with a slicker brush once again to straighten the top coat.

4. Cleaning the ears

Soak up a few drops of ear cleaning solutions in a cotton ball and use it to massage gently on the interior part of your dog’s ear.

Be gentle while wiping down all the debris that may be lodged in the ear canal. After wiping down the ear satisfactorily, you can then use a soft cloth to dry the cleaner solution. Make sure to work on one ear at a time.

5. Trimming the coat

Get a short-bladed pair of scissors and trim your Golden’s fringes and ear to shorten and straighten out the fur. Be careful not to cut off too much fur.

After trimming the upper part, you can then move downwards to trim the excess fur on your dog’s feet and paws then work on the entire coat. We recommend using clippers to remove excess fur from your dog’s paws for the best results.

After leveling the canine coat, you can then use a thinning shear to spruce up the top fur by creating smoother edges.

6. Trimming the nails

If your dog’s nails are too big, you need to trim or grind them using the appropriate tools. Be careful not to cut into the quick (part of the nail that contains blood vessels) when trimming your Golden’s nails since it is painful and could lead to infections.

If you feel that you need to take your pet grooming skills to the next level, feel free to enroll in dog grooming classes offered by a registered entity.

These classes will provide you with hands-on experience and professional tips from trained personnel and give you a chance to work with like-minded pet parents.

How To Groom a Golden Retriever for The Summer

During the hot summer months, your Golden Retriever will likely get uncomfortable due to their thick coats if you don’t trim them well.

When grooming a Goldie during this season, make sure to keep their hair length shorter. Be careful not to trim excess fur to the extent of exposing bare skin.

The dog will be more comfortable in short hair during the summer heat since it will keep them cooler and easy for air circulation.

Pay close attention to the extreme points in the dog where you may find too much hair such as; between the paws and along the fringes.

When bathing your dog on a hot summer afternoon, you can adjust the shower water to room temperature or a bit cooler.

Using hand-warm water during this time could make your Golden Retriever get heated up and uncomfortable during the grooming sessions.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is a Golden Retriever easy to groom?

Golden Retrievers are not the easiest dog breed to groom since they require considerable attention to pamper their glossy coats.

These dogs have a thick double coat which makes it tedious to brush, especially during the high-shedding months.

But with the right skills, tools, and a calm dog, you will find it very easy & enjoyable to groom your furry friend.

2. Should Golden Retrievers be shaved?

While it might appear to be an easy option to consider during the summer, shaving a Golden Retriever is not recommended because of the adverse effects.

Cutting off your Goldie’s fur will expose them to sunburns, skin irritation, and other health problems that may be difficult to manage.

The Golden Retrievers double coat works in harmony to protect the dog both in the summer and during the winter cold.

3. Does grooming a Golden Retriever help with shedding?

Grooming helps to control shedding in Golden Retrievers. Gliding through their coats with a slicker brush is an effective way of removing loose hair from the undercoat alongside dirt and other debris materials.

Washing your dog with shampoo and warm water is also a good way of removing dead fur from the coat and nourishing the skin.

4. What time of the year should groom a Golden Retriever?

Golden Retrievers should be groomed year-long but you need to pay closer attention to specific periods in the year.

The closing months of fall and spring are the perfect timing to fully pamper your Golden Retriever to help in controlling shedding and their overall well-being.

Conclusion

Having a Golden Retriever grooming process is one of the many ways of ensuring your long-furred canine remains healthy and happy.

A full grooming procedure from head to paws will help in providing valuable care for your double-coated canine.

Remember to create a comprehensive grooming schedule for your Golden Retriever right from their puppyhood phase.

The schedule should include brushing their coats weekly (or more), bathing them every other month, trimming their nails when needed, and cleaning their ears to prevent infections.

Written By

Laura Nassoura

Laura is the founder of Furs'n'Paws. She is a also a pet writer and expert with more than 20 years of experience of working with dogs and cats. She developed a very strong love for animals at a young age. Her passion led her to establish a thriving pet sitting and dog walking business in Dubai. As an expert in pet training, behavior, and nutrition, Laura is committed to helping pet owners and pet lovers by offering high-quality information on a wide range of topics.