Helpful Tips and Valuable Advice for Grooming Your Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers are known for their attractive and luxurious coat. Just like any other breed of dogs, they should be groomed and well taken care of. They are known to be a double coated breed. The double coat can protect them during any season, particularly during the winter months. Their coat is usually smooth and silky, and medium to long in length, this means that they can be prone to heavy shedding. Regular brushing with a quality bristle brush, together with an undercoat rake, will significantly reduce shredding. Grooming your Golden Retriever helps your dog to become healthier and disease-free. When grooming, the coat is not the only focus and the process should also include nail clipping, ear and teeth cleaning, and eye care. Here are a few tips to carry out when grooming your pet.

Brushing and Trimming your dog's Coat

The Golden Retriever's coat can easily become tangled and it is recommended that you frequently brush its coat. Puppies require brushing once a week while older pets may need more regular brushing, such as two to three times a week, preferably using a Slicker Brush. If hair is heavily tangled, it might require trimming to remove the tangled areas, although regular brushing can help to prevent the coat from becoming too tangled.

Bathing your Pet

Another important grooming tip is to bathe your dog with high quality shampoo especially formulated for dogs. You may also consult with your veterinarian to help choose the best shampoo for your dog's needs. Bathing your pet on a regular basis is not harmful for the coat, if you are using a quality shampoo. Be sure to wet your dog's coat first with an ample amount of water before applying the shampoo. Mix the shampoo with a small amount of water and massage the coat and skin thoroughly.

Clipping the Nails

Long nails may make your pet prone to developing foot problems, accidental eye scratches and scratched furniture, so regular nail clipping is important. When cutting your pets nails, one method is to pull and hold your pet's foot backwards, and use nail clippers which are specifically designed for dogs. It is important to only cut the tip of your pet's nails and not the area known as the 'quick,' as this is the tender part of the nail can make the nail bleed. If this does happen cover with tissue paper, and use a styptic product such as powder or a pencil to help stop the bleeding. Today, there are many high quality file products available, which allow you to file down the nails instead of cutting them down. This can help to eliminate any chance of accidents and pain for your pet.

Cleaning the Ears

Grooming the ears is usually taken for granted but is an important way to reduce any ear infections. There are many ear solution products designed for dogs and which can be applied to the ear using a clean cotton ball. Remove any extra hair in your dog's earflaps to reduce chances of debris and dirt becoming trapped within the ear. Thinning shears can be used to trim the excess hair and the process should be carried out twice a month.

Dental Care

Brushing helps to prevent mouth odor, gum disease and plaque buildup. There are many dog foods, chews and biscuits available, which can help to remove plaque in addition to a regular brushing regime.

Try to begin grooming your Golden Retriever from the time you welcome him as a family member. Your pet will learn what to expect from an early age making grooming easier for you both.