Where Is The Best Place To Bath Your Golden Retriever
Where to should you bath your Golden? It is an important question because if you do it in the house or apartment, you could end up with wet paw prints racing through the house and on the furniture.
Maybe you already have your Golden accustomed to baths and you are not worried about her bolting for another location.
If that is the case, then great job. Keep it up.
On the other hand, I know that if my dog gets out and runs through the house leaving behind her a trail of soap suds and dirty paw prints, I know how much trouble I will be in.
I would rather not risk it. So, I simply set up somewhere that, if my dog does break loose, I dont have to worry about what my wife is thinking.
There are two places that I like to go.
The first one is an actual doggy wash near my home. This one might be the best because there are leashes that keep her where I need her in order to vacuum out her hair.
If you cant get to an official doggy wash, then try your backyard with a hose, or, better yet, a swimming pool
This will keep your dog cool in the summer months. Additionally, when she gets used to the pool, she will be easier to bath.
Not All Goldens Are Alike
The professional groomers say to bath your Golden Retriever every 4 to 6 weeks. But, this is only a general guideline. There are other issues that an individual Golden might face that will change that recommendation.
I think that is what Tanya was saying above when she said It depends on what kind of a dog she is.
Tanya knew I was talking about Goldens.
She meant that it depends on what kind of a temperament the Golden has. If you have a dog that loves to find dead things to roll in, then you will likely find yourself bathing your dog more regularly than someone that lives downtown and takes their dog for walks on sidewalks and concrete.
Somethings that will influence how often you can/should bath your Golden Retriever will include
- Allergies
- Activity level
- Other exposure to water
Not only will these factors influence how often you bath your dog, but also how you bath her.
You may have to be picky on what kind of shampoo or conditioner you use.
How To Groom A Golden Retriever
This article was co-authored by Terryl Daluz. Terryl Daluz is the Co-owner of Wash My Dog LLC Pet Grooming, a pet grooming business based in the Los Angeles, California area. Terryl, along with co-owner Andrea Carter, has over three years of pet grooming and management experience. Wash My Dog and its certified pet groomers and bathers specialize in providing both a safe and welcoming environment for all animals they service.There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 93% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 378,035 times.
As its name implies, the Golden Retriever is best known for its flowing, golden coat of thick, soft fur. It’s easy to keep the breed’s medium-length coat shiny and beautiful with regular grooming. In addition, this beautiful canine is also known for its loyal, easy-going temperament and love for the people who care for it.XResearch source Since Golden Retrievers are so easy-going, and their coats are so easy to care for, grooming a golden retriever doesn’t have to be a chore but instead can be an enjoyable bonding time for you and your canine companion.
Read Also: How To Groom A Golden Retriever For Show
Golden Retrievers And Other Pets
Well-socialised Golden Retrievers are very easy-going, which usually means they can be great around other dogs and pets, too. Any introductions should be done carefully and following the right advice for your other pet, too.
Always supervise your dog with other pets, even if they have known them for a long time.
Recommended Reading: How To Draw A Golden Retriever Face
How To Bathe A Golden Retriever
All dogs require baths as part of their regular grooming care; however, for some breeds like the Golden Retriever, baths can be an involved process that takes time, patience, and a sense of humor. Here is how to bathe your Golden Retriever so they stay healthy and squeaky clean.
You May Like: English Cream Golden Retriever Shedding
Difficulty Walking On Leash
Some Goldens either never really got the hang of leash training, werent ever trained, or have regressed due to poor reinforcement. Either way, its important to correct this behavior as soon as possible. While on a walk, if your pup goes wild, stop.
Wait until your pup calms down. Once they do, continue the walk. You will literally repeat this repeatedly. Granted, youll need ample amounts of time to make this successful. Try walking three times a day this way for a few weeks to see if the behavior improves.
Finishing The Dog: Tools And Finish Grooming
The coat should be light, straight, and stand off of the body with no loose hair. ;Any loose hair or fuzziness to the coat should be carded. ;Everything about the finish should be natural. ;The feet and the outside edges of the ear are trimmed with thinning shears. ;In the warmer months, many pet owners try to keep the dog cooler by shaving the coat. The Golden Retrievers double coat is designed to protect them during any season. ;If you are trying to keep the dog cooler, you should elect to remove the undercoat with a good bath and blow out. When you shave this breed, you are exposing their skin to the elements and take away their ability to stay cool.
Read Also: What Is The Best Dog Food For Golden Retrievers
Tip #: Feed Them A Quality Dog Food
High-quality dog food can help keep your goldens skin and fur healthy .
Healthy skin and fur shed at a normal rate, while unhealthy skin and fur can increase the rate of shedding.
Although high-quality food may be more expensive, youll have a happier, healthier dog, plus youll save money down the road on vet bills.
Tip #1: Get Used To It
Having fur everywhere is par for the course for golden retriever owners.
Extreme shedding is a measly price to pay for the soft, beautiful, fluffy coats you get to snuggle with and pet every day.
If youre ever frustrated at the layer of hair covering everything in your house, give your golden a hug, bury your face in their neck, and remember how lucky you are to have one of these sweet, beautiful animals grace your home.
Recommended Reading: The Best Puppy Food For Golden Retrievers
What If I Have A Show Dog
Whether you have a show dog or a companion dog, the same basic care is given regarding nutrition, socialization, and hygiene. ;The difference is the grooming maintenance and training for the show ring. ;It is always helpful if your breeder is willing to help mentor you to lead you in the right direction upon entering the show ring. ;A great place to start is with the national breed club like the Golden Retriever Club of America, www.grca.org.
Why Golden Retrievers Shed
Before we talk about how to control golden retriever shedding, its important to understand their coat, the importance of it, and why they shed.
Although their fur is beautiful, soft and nice to pet, theres a lot more to it.
Golden retrievers have a double coat that is made of a soft, fluffy undercoat and a long and smooth outer coat.
The undercoat protects them from both hot and cold temperatures, while the outer coat is waterproof and protects them from dirt and other debris.
All mammals shed their fur or hair to some degree, so its totally natural.
Most goldens blow their coat in the spring and fall.
They shed year-round, but these two times are when they shed the most, and when youre most likely to find furry tumbleweeds in the house.
Now the good thing about golden retriever fur is that its relatively easy to clean.
Its soft and often clumps together, so whether youre sweeping it off the floors or wiping it off your clothes, its likely to come off in little piles that resemble furry dust bunnies.
Also Check: How To Make My Golden Retriever Gain Weight
Tip 2 Test Out A New Shampoo For Your Pup
Sometimes you may find that you are sticking to using certain products either because they used to work before or they are what youre familiar with. This can be great sometimes when you are doing certain things but when it comes to your dogs odor, then you could be really doing more harm than good. For this reason, it is really important that you try a different shampoo.
Some shampoos can cause your dogs skin to really dry up, resulting in a dry flaky skin that starts to smell over time. A great shampoo is Organics Pet Skin Treatment, as its a really good solution made up of natural products to help with dry itchy skin.
You may also want to try out a new shampoo. And the ones I recommend are a few that I have personally tested and believe to be good for the purpose of this post.
All of them are good for double coats and golden so just pick the one that you feel is best suitable and then see if anything changes in your dogs odor over the course of a month or so.
Do They Require A Lot Of Grooming
Golden Retrievers are a very active breed. A bath and a blowout are necessary to keep the shedding under control and maintain healthy skin and coat. ;Regular grooming should be done every 4 6 weeks. ;Make it a habit to spend some quality time brushing your dog to keep the coat separated and divided which, in turn, will allow the skin to breathe.
Don’t Miss: Why Do Golden Retrievers Eat So Fast
Why Should You Bathe Your Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers have wavy hair, straight hair, or some combination of the two types. Feathering on the chest, back of the legs, paws, and tail are also prominent coat features in this breed. While these qualities make for a beautiful canine, they also result in fur that gets tangled and matted easily. If those mats and knots are not taken care of quickly, they will become larger and make life uncomfortable for your dog. Careful bathing allows an owner to locate these problem areas and untangle or remove them.
A Golden Retriever should have a bath once every 6 weeks, but that time frame is flexible depending on the dogs lifestyle and environment. Goldens who regularly swim, play in grass or dirt, or roll in the mud will need baths every week or two as needed. Environments that are muddy, swampy, or are breeding grounds for parasites like ticks and fleas mean even more baths for your dog. However, there is a limit to how much bathing your Goldens coat can take.
Washing your Golden Retriever too much strips those natural oils from the fur, leaving your dogs coat dull and her skin unprotected. Skin infections and dandruff may result. Using mild and gentle shampoos can still cause these medical issues; therefore, its best not to bathe your dog too often.
Golden Retriever Nail Clipping
If you are planning on trimming your pets claws, doing it in the tub is a great idea. Many dogs stand still better for this job when they are in the bathtub.
Choose a nail trimmer for larger claws, such as Millers Forge Nail Clipper. If you can see the quick, or the live area inside the nail that features a blood vessel, clip just above that, removing the tip of the nail.
If you cant see the quicksay, your dog has very dark or black nailsanother method is to look at the underside of the claw. Near where the claw begins to curve, towards the tip, the dead section on the underside will be hollow, like a canoe. This hollow area can be safely trimmed. If you trim too close, and a drop of blood appears, simply apply a styptic powder, such as Remedy+Recovery Styptic Powder, to the area to stop the bleeding.
Read Also: How Much To Feed A Golden Retriever Dog
How To Inspect Your Retrievers Ears
Before the inspection process can begin, it is important to call your dog over and speak to them in a reassuring tone during the duration of the inspection. To make future inspections easier, it is also recommended to have a treat close by for after. The first step to inspecting your Golden Retrievers ears is to fold the ear flap inside out so that the pink side is almost on top of their head.
While you are doing this, it would be a good idea for you to stroke their head in a reassuring way, or have a second set of hands available to do so. While checking their ears, you will want to try and notice any dirt or black spot. While this is normal, it does mean that it might be a good idea to go ahead and clean their ears at this point.
While checking their ears, you will also want to check for any redness, swelling, or discoloration as this is not common, and should be addressed. While inspecting your Golden Retrievers ears, you will especially want to look out for excess hair, waxy buildup, fluid discharge, or red and irritated skin.
S To Clean Retrievers Ears
Now that weve gone over what to look for when inspecting your dogs ears, the process of inspecting your Golden Retrievers ears, and the health risks associated with dirty ears, we can now go over the steps involved in cleaning the ears. For this, you will need an ear cleanser, cotton balls or pads, tweezers , a towel, and treats.
You May Like: How To Draw A Golden Retriever Face
Wipe Outside Of Ear With Cotton Ball
Cotton balls are the safest thing to use on your Goldens delicate ear. Leave using cotton swabs to;the veterinarians, who have been taught how to use them without damaging the ear drum. Just wipe the dirt and moisture that collects in the outer part of the ear after using the ear flush. Do not put it down inside the ear, this can cause damage.
How Large Can A Golden Retriever Get
Golden retrievers are relatively large dogs. The male is typically about 23 or 24 inches tall and can weigh anywhere from 65-75 pounds. The female is on average 21-23 inches tall and weighs approximately 55-65 pounds. These pups often reach their adult height by the time they are one year old and get to their adult weight by the time they are two years old.;
Recommended Reading: How Many Cups Of Food Should A Golden Retriever Eat
How To Clean Your Dogs Ears
An essential part of bathing a Golden Retriever is cleaning her ears. This breed is highly prone to developing ear infections which are often caused by bacterial growth in the ear canal due to moisture, wax, dirt, or parasites.
Because Goldens have floppy ears, dampness and debris become trapped with no way for the ears to dry out. When you bathe your Golden, that is a perfect opportunity to clean their ears as well.
My recommendation for ear cleaner is Virbac Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleaner.
To clean your Golden Retrievers ears, follow these directions:
How to Clean Your Dogs Ears
Who Is The Best Human For A Golden Retriever
Golden retrievers are a tried and true family dog. They love swimming , running, and playing in a big backyard. Theyre highly social, so a large and active family household works well for them. They also need plenty of affection and snuggles. Due to their hunting heritage, they love to play fetch! Looking to please you, theyre relatively easy to train.
Theyre great with children and seniors alike. Golden retrievers do best with plenty of companionship, and so despite their activity level, often do very well with retirees who can devote plenty of time to them.
You May Like: How To Make My Golden Retriever Gain Weight
Don’t Miss: Best Dog Food For Golden Retriever Puppy
Raising A Golden Retriever Puppy Finding A Vet
Most of us have our puppies vaccinated. Vaccines are not completely without risk, but the risk of serious disease for unvaccinated puppies is usually considered by experts to be much greater.
Most puppy parents want to know which shots their puppies need, when their puppies can go outside safely, a few want to know what happens if they decide not to vaccinate their puppies.
Youll find information on all those topics in the articles below:
Recommended Reading: Best Dog Food For Golden Retriever Puppy