Golden Retriever Dog Training and Grooming
Golden Retrievers boast having luxurious coats and as such, they do shed copiously. It’s best to start teaching puppies that a grooming session is an enjoyable experience because these lovely dogs will need a lot in the way of brushing throughout their lives. A daily brush is essential not only to keep a Golden Retriever’s coat and skin in good condition but to keep on top of any shed hair too.
It’s also a good idea to keep a Golden Retriever’s feet nicely trimmed, paying special attention to the hair that grows between their toes and paw pads. This prevents any of the hair “balling up” with mud or ice which can make walking very uncomfortable for a dog. It’s also important to keep a close eye on a Golden Retriever’s ears and to make sure they are kept nice and dry to reduce the risk of any infections setting in which can be notoriously hard to clear up once they take hold.
Golden Retrievers also benefit from being professionally groomed from time to time so their coats can be hand stripped which makes caring for them that much easier. When it comes to bathing, Golden Retrievers are drawn to water like magnets, it’s in their DNA so occasionally they will get muddy and dirty especially when the weather is wet. This means a dog might need a bath, but it’s important not to overdo it and to always use a dog-specific shampoo to avoid upsetting the natural pH balance of a dog’s skin which could result in them developing skin irritation or allergy.
Grooming tools needed for a Golden Retriever
Having the right grooming tools helps keep a Golden Retriever’s coat and skin in top condition. The tools needed to keep a dog’s coat looking good are as follows:
- A grooming glove
- Double-sided thinning scissors
- A slicker brush
- A bristle brush
- A fine-toothed comb
- Nail clippers
- A pair of round-ended scissors
- Dog specific shampoo and conditioner