Answer
Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. They are a loyal and intelligent breed, making them a great family dog. Retrievers are water dogs; their coats are designed to keep them protected in any weather. The double coat of a golden retriever does need regular grooming to maintain appearance and reduce shedding. Golden Retriever Grooming should become routine for your dog, for best results start early as a puppy.
General Brushing
Brushing should be done once a day or more if needed. Retriever coats can become matted. If this happens, attempt first to comb the mat out gently before resorting to cutting it out. Mineral oil can be used to loosen any sticky material your retriever gets in their coat. Use a bristle brush on your dog, an undercoat rake will also help to cut down the amount of shedding.
When brushing your golden retriever start at the front of the dog and work towards their tail. For their stomach, work your way up towards their back from underneath. Be sure to give your dog plenty of praise while brushing. While brushing, be sure that the bristles reach down to their skin. The stimulation will improve the skin and gives the dog the feel of a massage. It also helps to loosen any dead skin. Always brush in the same direction as hair growth, never against it. If you follow the same routine for brushing your dog, it will be easier for them to expect what is coming next and reduce grooming anxiety.
Bathing
Bathing your retriever should be done sparingly. Frequent baths can damage the skin since natural oils can be stripped by soaps. It iss helpful to first brush your dog thoroughly before bathing, this will help to reduce amount of fur in your drain and ultimately less is shed. When finished, blow dry on a cool setting. It is best to focus more on brushing as part of your golden retriever grooming routine, than baths. They may become necessary if your dog gets into a mess. When bathing, ALWAYS use a mild soap. Commercial dog shampoos may be purchased, or as an alternative, baby shampoo is gentle enough for use on your retriever. Bath anxiety can be reduced by bringing your dog's favorite treat to the tub, rewarding their patience.
Nails
For the comfort of your golden retriever, and to prevent their feet from splaying, proper nail maintenance is necessary. Nails should be trimmed weekly. This can be accomplished with either clippers or a drummel tool. If using clippers be sure to avoid the quick, and have styptic powder nearby in case bleeding occurs.
Ears
Golden Retrievers are one of the dog breeds that are prone to ear infections. This can be prevented by cleaning their ears weekly with a solution. Ear cleaning solutions can be purchased at pet stores, or a dilute of hydrogen peroxide may be used. Like any part of grooming, the earlier you start with ear cleaning the easier it will be for your dog to cooperate.
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