Part 2 Of 3:monitoring Health And Wellness
Tip 6 Cleaning Your Golden Retrievers Bedding
This is a great way to ensure that your dog is always in a clean environment at all times. Their bedding can be easily overlooked as it is simply where they sleep. However, you have to that dogs are constantly outside picking up things and eating things that they see on the street.
When they get home, all of that is marched right into the house and then into his/her bed before they take a nap. The best part about all of this is the fact that it can be fixed very easily. All you need to do is wash your dogs bedding more often and this should sort it out in no time.
I recommend washing it out with some hot water and vinegar or hot water and baking soda to kill any smells or bad odors. Make sure to avoid using any fabric softeners as this may irritate your dogs skin too. Even make sure to spray down any nonwashable items with a hose out in the backyard as this will ensure that everything is clean. Onto the next section for tip 7.
Brush Your Dog From Head To Tail
Ok, now that youve prepared your Golden for grooming, start brushing him from head to tail. Makes sure you cover all the areas. Pay special attention to areas where the fur is thicker or matted.
To keep your Goldens coat in a good condition, you need to brush him daily. Frequent brushing prevents matting and reduces the amount of shedding.
Cut And Remove Fur Too Tangled To Be Brushed Out
If you come across a part of the fur you cant brush due to a mat, simply cut it with scissors. However, be careful not to cut or hurt your dog in the process.
Bathing Helps But Dont Overdo It
Bathe your Golden Retriever once every six to eight weeks. Please dont wash your pet more often than that unless she gets dirty.
Shampoos are filled with chemicals and can dry out your dogs coat. Thats why you should always choose high-quality, gentle shampoo.
Bathing can help remove loosened fur through massaging. You will also be washing off any dead fur thats clinging onto her coat.
A little tip: If youre bathing him indoors, make sure you use a drain guard. This will help with cleanup and stop your pipes from clogging.
Swimming is also a great way to remove dead hair from your dogs coat.
When he paddles through the water, the current will wash them right off. Just make sure you rinse the chlorine off once your Goldie gets out of the pool.
Tip #2: After You Brush Them Rub Them Down
This is something I recently started doing and its been amazing for keeping fur out of the house.
After you brush your dog, there will likely be lots of loose fur stuck to their coat.
When I would take Oliver inside, he would shake himself and I would watch all of this loose fur float into the air.
So now, after I brush him, I rub him down with my hands in the same direction the fur lies and I get lots of extra fur the brush didnt get off of him.
Thankfully, this fur now ends up in the yard instead of the house.
What Can I Do At Home To Remove Or Prevent Matted Fur
Regular brushing of your dogs fur is the greatest way to prevent matted fur from occurring. Unfortunately, there is a lot of advice on the internet that might work, but it will be really painful for your dog and not nearly as effective as what I am going to share with you.
I have found the combination of three different brushes to prevent, remove and eliminate matted fur on my Goldendoodle, and I think it will work for you too.
See
Tip 8 Get Yourself An Air Deodorizer
When all else fails then you may need to simply get something that will cover up the smell of your pooch.
CAVEAT: you should not use any type of spray on your dogs coat or try to cover their smell by putting something on them.
Instead, you can get a professional deodorizer that is built for getting rid f bad odors such as shoes, pets & Cooking. This will guarantee to maintain a nice smelling environment even when your sog starts to stink a little from time to time.
The product that I recommend is what I believe to be the best on the market which is the This product will quickly remove any bad odors in the air whilst providing a nice cool air to breathe in your home.
Dos & Donts For Grooming
- Invest in the right tools and beauty products before fully grooming your Golden. This includes brushes, shampoos, de-tanglers, and trimming tools.
- Allow for enough time when grooming and brushing the coat. Goldens shed a lot so there may be more fur than you anticipate!
- Brush your pup outside if possible. This way, you can avoid all the excess floating hair inside your house, and you wont have to run through with the duster and vacuum again.
- Try to use detangling sprays or conditioners after bathing. Tangled hair happens the fastest when its wet, so this is the best way to prevent new tangles in the long run. This also helps the brush go through the coat faster with less tugging.
- Make grooming fun! It sure feels good to be brushed, but if your pup starts to get antsy while waiting for you to comb through their golden coat, consider giving him a treat after as if to say, Youre such a good boy for being so patient!
Did you like this guide? Check out some related articles on dog grooming and managing shedding by clicking here. And if you want to know how you can manage to keep your home clean with pets, here’s a step-by-step cleaning routine to follow.
Matt Clayton
Shorter Haired Golden Retriever Genes
As mentioned above, it is possible to have shorter-haired Goldens. That is not to say their coats are cropped like a Labrador, only that they are slightly shorter than the average for a Golden.
If you are sure your Golden is a purebred, chances are its parents were shorter haired.
Coat length is hereditary, and though it is rare, if your breeder happens to have a shorter-haired maleandfemale, then the puppies will almost certainly follow suit. Again, however, were not talking about true short hair just shorter hair than average for a Golden.
Double Coat: The Main Reason
The Golden Retrievers double coat is the primary reason why they shed more than other breeds. It is important to mention here that there are really few canine breeds that have a natural double coat. The two layers of luxurious Golden Retriever fur are:
- A silky undercoat with high hair density
- An oily outer coat with relatively lesser hair volume
Besides providing a stunning drape to Golden Retrievers, this double coat is actually a natural mechanism of this breed to regulate their body temperature. From the start of fall till the end of winter, the undercoat of Golden Retrievers grows at a rapid pace in order to protect its body from extremely low temperatures.
As the spring starts and the additional fur is not required anymore, the undercoat starts wearing down resulting in excessive shedding during this time. Excessive fur keeps shedding during winter.
Dog Shampoos For Golden Retrievers
Not all dog shampoos are created equal, and not all are great for your Golden Retrievers coat. As an owner of many dogs, weve had the chance to try out all types of shampoos, so we feel confident making these recommendations.
Due to the sensitivity of the Goldens skin and coat, we recommend you only go with all-natural dog shampoos. Never use human shampoo, as itll be too rough on the skin of your dog.
And while some will recommend using baby shampoo, we think its better to just be safe and go with dog shampoo. Its not terribly expensive and will last a good while.
Your All In One Guide To Controlling Shedding In Golden Retrievers
Wondering how to control Golden Retriever shedding?
There are a lot of reasons why dogs shed. With double-coated dogs such as the Golden Retriever, shedding is just a part of life. However, if your dog has been shedding excessively, there are a few things you can do to control it.
Golden Retrievers are known to be heavy shedders.
They shed all year round, and even more when the season changes. But, it doesnt mean that you have to invest your time cleaning the house and wishing your cute companion didnt shed so much!
In this blog post, I will share a few tips with you on how to control Golden Retriever shedding, and teach you how to take care of your canines coat.
Lets take a look, shall we?
Shedding and Golden Retrievers: What Should I Expect!?
How Can I Control Shedding in Golden Retrievers?
- Brush Your Doggy
- Your All in One Guide to Controlling Shedding in Golden Retrievers
Home Remedies Vs A Trip To The Vets
There are a few times when a trip t the vets is almost inevitable and thats just because the control is out of your hands. This is not the case with when it comes to your dogs odor, but there are a few things you need to look out for in order to confirm this.
First things first, and that means searching for where the odor is coming from. You may notice that it is from your dogs breath, ears or gas from his/her bottom end. Any of the 3 mentioned areas would require a further look as this could be health-related and may need to be inspected by an expert.
There is a great post that I have found that explains how to spot these problems too.The idea is that you do not want to be using home remedies on a problem that is far too severe for that type of solution.
Its kinda like putting a bandaid on a broken leg. Once you can rule this out then you can be sure that a trip to the vets will be avoided and you will still be able to afford that second vacation this year.
If you want to be sure then all you need to do is give your dog a once over and make sure that the smell is actually coming from his/her coat. If thats the case then I got some great tips on how you can treat this below.
Do All Golden Retrievers Shed
Yes, all golden retrievers are going to shed. Its unavoidable. You have to think that golden retrievers, while relatively new in terms of dog breeds, were still created from dogs that stayed outside in the cold and didnt have owners with central AC and heating.
Biologically, theyre hardwired to shed their coats when the seasons change to keep themselves alive. Their disposition is to grow a coat, protect themselves from the cold, and shed it off to prepare for the next season.
Youre going to be cleaning up dog hair year-round, especially if you live in a cold climate where goldens tend to produce thicker coats when the season rolls around. Dogs dont sweat, so their coat changes are one of the ways they stay cool in the hotter months, too.
Method 1: Brushing Out The Mats
Be sure to check out our post on the Best Brushes and Combs for Golden Retrievers before deciding on which brush, comb, or rake to buy!
Step 1 – Make Sure Your Dog Is Calm.
Pet and talk to your dog in a calm voice. Give him treats as you begin. Try to get him to lie down if you can. Removing mats can be extremely uncomfortable for your dog. They have very sensitive skin, and mats can pull and put stress on the skin.
Step 2 – Spray His Coat With A Detangler.
Before you begin, you can spray your dog’s coat with a detangling spray. Leave the detangling spray on for a few minutes. This can help loosen up mats and make them easier to brush out.*Detangling sprays may not always work on severe mats in your dog’s coat.
Step 3 – Brush Your Dog.
Mats are often found around the ears, below the neck, under the stomach, and along the back legs. Use a slicker brush, which has wire bristles that are slightly bent at the ends, to locate the mats. Make sure the bristles don’t touch your dog’s skin to avoid irritation.
Step 4 – Hold The Mat At The Base.
At the area closest to your dogs skin, take the base of the mat into your hand. This protects your dogs skin from excessive pulling and damage. It will also help prevent brush burn since your hand will be between the brush and your dogs skin.
Step 5 – Untangle The Mat With Your Fingers.
Step 6 – Rub Cornstarch Into The Mat.
Step 7 – Pick The Mat.
Step 8 – Comb Through With A Dematting Comb.
Step 9 – Try A Mat Rake.
How Often Should I Bathe My Golden Retriever
It is a commonly known fact that Golden Retrievers love water, but bathing them is not exactly the same. The hygiene routine will vary from dog to dog, as not all retrievers have the same lifestyle or get as dirty as others. The necessary frequency with which you should bathe a Golden Retriever depends on the dog’s age as well, as puppies need to be bather more often.
Take Your Golden Retriever For A Swim
Swimming is a great form of exercise for most Golden Retrievers. It burns a ton of calories, itll help wash off a bunch of hair, and most Goldens love playing in the water.
In fact, because swimming is a low-impact activity, it is a great way to exercise dogs with aching joints.
If you are taking your pup to a lake or river, you dont have to worry about the hair he sheds.
But if you decide to let him swim in your swimming pool, youll want to be sure to remove the hair that collects around the filters and traps to ensure the pump keeps working efficiently.
Its a good idea to give your dog a bath after letting him swim, as lake and river water can contain bacteria and other pathogens.
Even if you let your dog swim in a pool, its a good idea to bathe him afterward, to help rinse the chlorine from his fur.
Preventing Dog Elbow Calluses
Preventing a callus from forming on your dogs elbows is a tough one. Lying on soft bedding will prevent calluses, but some dogs prefer cool tile to an expensive orthopedic bed. Trust me, Ive been there! My Rottie has multiple cushy beds scattered around our home, but he prefers to lie on cool tile, especially during warmer months. During colder months, calluses seem to disappear because dogs will choose to lie on warmer, softer bedding.
During warmer months, instead of prevention, I jump straight into treatment, which prevents calluses from getting out of hand.
What You Can Do About Your Golden Retrievers Shedding
Below are some options you have when dealing with your Golden Retrievers shedding.
Brush it with a de-shedding brush
One thing you can do is to take your Golden Retriever outside and to brush it using a de-shedding brush. By doing so you will be able to get it to get rid of its loose fur outside and not on your furniture and clothes. Generally, it will be necessary to brush it on a weekly basis.
Make sure that it is getting a good diet
It would also help to make sure that it is getting the right diet. You can do this by consulting with your vet about its diet, making sure no one else has been feeding it and you can look to see what the experts recommend you feed your Golden Retriever.
Get rid of fleas
If fleas seem to be causing your Golden Retriever to scratch itself a lot it would help to talk to your vet about what you should do to get rid of the flees. There are oral treatments that they can recommend that can be very effective in getting rid of fleas. In addition, there are also sprays and combs that you can buy.
It would also help to eradicate fleas from your home by:
- Washing the bedding with hot soapy water
- Vacuuming the carpets and throwing the bad
- Applying an environmental flee control
- Applying a spray, pellet or non-toxic treatment for the yard
- Continue to treat your Golden Retriever with a monthly preventative
Bathe it
Have a vacuum and lint roller ready
Take it to a vet
Tip #4: Use A Quality Dog Shampoo
Using human shampoo, or a poorly made shampoo with cheap ingredients or too many chemicals can mess up your dogs skin.
The best case is that it dries out their skin and leaves it flaky, while the worst case is that it exposes them to parasites, viruses, and bacteria.
Make sure to use a shampoo that is made especially for dogs when bathing your golden.
Bathing Your Golden Retriever
As with brushing, bathing is the pet-owners bonding time and should be an enjoyable moment for both you and your Golden Retriever.
Because water flattens fur on your pets skin, bathing can also be done with a health inspection function in mind. Look closely for irregular bumps on your dogs skin or the presence of fleas or ticks.
One of the common questions any dog owner will ask is how often they should bathe their pet. Well, the answer to this question depends on a few factors:
Dogs with long fur will require more frequent baths compared to those with shorter fur. The obvious reason is that longer fur easily harbors dirt and makes it more difficult to shed it. But frequent bathing does not in any way mean every week.
If your dog spends more time indoors than outside, you may not need to bath it often. Dogs that are always engaged in outdoor activities may require a bath every time they are muddy.
- Dogs with skin conditions will need frequent baths as part of the curing process. However, consult with your veterinarian.
- In the absence of skin conditions or excessive dirt from extra outdoor activity, long-fur dogs like the Golden should be bathed at least once every three months.
- The most frequent you can consider bathing your dog is every two weeks . Anything more frequent than this can be potentially bad for your dogs skin and coat.
How To Groom A Golden Retriever At Home
Lets talk about how to groom a Golden Retriever with different kinds of brushes , and how trim the fur with scissors and thinning shears.
Should you use an undercoat rake on your Golden? Well look at the pros and cons of this popular grooming tool.
One hard and fast rule shared by all professional groomers is to never shave your Golden.
Your dog needs that double coat year-round, so keep it trimmed but not shaved.
Plan on a once weekly brushing session at minimum. Many Goldens will require more frequent grooming.
Outdoor grooming can reduce the amount of loose fur in the house.
Are Mats Painful For Dogs
Yes, mats can be extremely painful for dogs. As a dog parent, you need to do everything you can to prevent mats before they form.
If a small mat is not properly addressed, it can turn a small issue into a much bigger one for your doodle .
Mats have the ability to lock down against a dogs skin. With every move your dog makes these knots get tighter and harder.
If these mats are left untreated, they can be a great place for fleas and other unwanted parasites to hide and live. While nobody likes dealing with mats on a dog, a little preventative maintenance will go a long way in having a happy healthy Goldendoodle.
Leave It To The Professionals: Options For Grooming A Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are one of Americas most popular breeds of dogs. Not only are they known for their exuberant and friendly personality, but they make for excellent hunting dogs. They also are an ideal breed for service animals and search and rescue.
These medium-sized dogs are also known for their luxurious golden coats. Their beautiful fur makes them a sought after breed, not only for their friendly personality.
However, with a gorgeous coat also comes upkeep. Consistently grooming a Golden Retriever is an important part of being a pet owner as grooming helps keep them clean and prevent other issues.
Since Golden Retrievers have a double coat, they are extremely big shedders. If you dont want to be vacuuming or sweeping every day, staying on top of their grooming and coat care is essential.
Read on to learn more about the grooming a Golden Retriever requires and how to manage it.
Tip 10 Buy An Outdoor Dog House
This tip for the OCD extremist that simply cannot bear the thought of smelling any dog odor for a second longer. And if you find that this is the case, then you may want to either build or buy an outdoor dog house. This can be a great option if your state has good weather conditions.
Also of course if you have a backyard too. Far too often we say that our pets should be in the house but then moan when they are. To solve that problem I suggest that you get an outdoor home and if you want to make it really comfy then get some heating put in with lights and timers.
That way its the same as the house but your golden will have their own little pad to go back to every night. And that will simply make sure to get rid of the smell as the dog will not be in the house. And if you got 2 dogs then even better as they will keep each other occupied when inside their new home.