Golden Retriever Behavior Article

Take the Time to Groom Your Golden Retriever Correctly

When you make the decision to add a Golden Retriever into your family, you should be prepared to provide the care needed, so that your Golden can grow and thrive on your care and love. Part of caring for your Golden Retriever is grooming. This should be done at least once a week, depending on your dog’s needs. In most cases, you get all of the grooming steps done in about thirty-forty five minutes, again, depending on your particular Golden. You should always brush your dog, and make certain to spend extra time on this grooming step when he is shedding, as this can help cut down on the amount of hair that you have to deal with inside your home. If your Golden stays outside, or spends a lot of time there, you should inspect him for burs or mats in his hair and deal with them whenever you find them. If you ignore them until your next grooming session, the problem will only get worse.

Purchase a high-quality pet brush from your local pet supply store, and you may also want to purchase a comb that will allow you to easily remove loose hair. Take the time to also look for any kind of skin conditions, as well as parasites, such as fleas and ticks. It is also important that you trim his nails if needed, and inspect his ears for mites and signs of infection.

Once you have thoroughly brushed your Golden’s hair, it is time to give him a bath. This may not make either of you happy, but is an essential part of pet care. When you purchase shampoo, look for one that is approved for dogs, your vet may be able to make some suggestions, especially if your Golden has skin problems. Unless your Golden gets especially dirty, you only need to give him a bath about once every other week, especially if you follow a weekly grooming routine.

Since all Golden Retrievers have long hair, you should make certain that you brush him at least once a day, which will help prevent tangles. Look for a brush or comb that is made from metal, which will help remove a lot of extra hair as well.

If you are nervous about trimming your Golden’s nails, have your vet or dog groomer show you the proper technique. You don’t want to cut them too short, as you could cause an infection to develop. If you don’t trim the nails, your Golden could also have problems. You should plan on doing your dog’s nails about twice a month, more if needed. Your Golden probably won’t like the process at first, but he will soon grow accustomed to it.

To make sure your Golden stays in good health, you should get in the habit of checking his ears as well. If you don’t keep them clean, infection and bacteria could easily grow. Your vet can tell you the proper solution to use for this purpose, as well as give you some pointers and tips. If you find anything concerning, make sure to follow up with your vet right away.

To make certain that your Golden stays healthy, grooming is an essential part of the care you provide.