The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular breed of dogs. It’s beautiful coat and friendly temperament makes the Golden Retriever a very attractive choice.
The Golden Retriever loves to hunt. They love the outdoors. Goldens love the snow in the winter and love to swim in the summer. Their coats are water repellent. They are a very playful and active breed.
Because of its long silky coat, this active breed needs to be groomed often. You will spend a lot of time grooming your Golden Retriever.
Grooming Your Golden Retriever Puppy
Because of their playful nature grooming your Golden Retriever puppy will probably be an adventure. The biggest problem will be getting your puppy used to the process.
Handling your puppy’s paws will often prepare it for cutting its nails and trimming the hair around its paws. Having the puppy chew on a toy or a ball may keep him occupied while you’re trimming.
The puppy’s fur will be pretty short, so trimming should not be necessary.
Bathe your puppy with warm water and a good quality soap. Rinse it thoroughly with warm water.
Get your puppy used to the blow-dryer. The blow-dryer should be used to dry your pup after a bath. Make sure the dryer is not too hot. A medium setting should be used.
The Golden Retriever puppy should be brushed often with a soft, small brush.
Most importantly, reward the puppy when you are done.
Grooming Your Golden Retriever
As your Golden Retriever grows, grooming will become more involved. Golden Retrievers should brushed weekly. Their long coat sheds. Brushing
controls the shedding. Also, a well brushed coat will avoid matting of the fur.
The Golden Retriever has great loyalty and love for it’s caretaker. So grooming your dog will become a great bonding experience.
When you grooming your Golden Retriever, you should start brushing from the top of it head downward. Brush it’s head, the fur around the ears, the back, the fur around and under the belly, the fur on its chest, down its legs and finally, it’s tail. If the fur is matted and cannot be brushed out or combed out, carefully cut the matted fur off.
After your Golden is brushed well, it should be bath in warm water with a soap of good quality. The coat should be rinsed thoroughly and dried with a large towel or blow-dryer. The blow-dryer should be set at a medium setting.
After the bath, brush the coat again to prepare the fur to trimmed. You should not trim your Golden’s entire body. Golden Retrievers have an undercoat and an overcoat. Their coats keep them cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Just trim the fur around the chest and body so that it will look neat. Also, trim the fur on their legs, paws, feet pads and ears. The tail should also be trimmed but not short. You just want to taper it but it should look thick.
Lastly, its eyes and ears should be cleaned with mineral oil and cotton swabs. Eyes and ears should be kept clean to avoid eye infections and ear mites.
Last Part of the Grooming Process
Golden Retrievers have beautiful, striking coats that should be kept looking that way. Keeping your dog’s fur brushed and mat free will make 
grooming an easier process. Grooming your Golden Retriever will be a joyful bonding experience for both you and your dog.
Just remember to never shave the Golden Retriever’s entire body. It’s fur keeps it cool in the summer and warm in the summer.
Also, your dogs teeth should be cleaned two or three times a week. You can use a wet dog toothbrush with soft bristles, a child’s toothbrush or a damp piece of gauze wrapped around your finger. Clean teeth are vital to a dog’s health.
Flea repellent should be applied to your dog’s fur at least once a month. There are also flea collars and powders to be used less often. Look into the different products and decide which one is best for your Golden Retriever.
Personal Experience
I am no expert. When Buddy was a puppy, I brushed him often, bathed him periodically. When it came to cutting the pup’s nails, I was petrified. Luckily, he walked and played on concrete often so his nails were filed down by the concrete. As he got larger, I was a little apprehensive about grooming him. Not the brushing or bathing, but the trimming of the nails and the fur,
So I took my time and started to enjoy the interaction between Buddy and myself during the grooming. Still, I feared the nails. I even did pretty well cleaning his ears. His nails were still pretty filed down from our long walks and playtime on concrete. Every once in a while, his nails did need to be trimmed.
I decided I needed professional help. So I took him to a groomer. She did a great job. Buddy seemed to like her. When I picked him up, I would buy him a toy and he would carry all the way home.
Taking him to a groomer was great. I missed the time spent with Buddy while I groomed him. So I went to the groomer and had her teach me to trim his nails. I did it. Nervous the whole time.
Most of the time I groomed Buddy. Those times when I was unable to find the time, I brought him to the groomer. If you are doubtful about grooming your Golden Retriever at home, bring it to a groomer. This magnificent breed should be kept magnificent.
I highly recommend you try grooming your Golden Retriever at home. It is a wonderful experience you will never forget.
