12 Golden Retriever Grooming Tips Every Owner Should Know

Quick Take

• Shaving your golden in summer seems like the kindest thing you can do, but it is actually one of the most dangerous mistakes an owner can make. Why shaving is harmful →
• There's a specific order to brushing your golden's coat, and skipping it means you're setting up tangles before you even start. See the proper order →
• A mat handled the wrong way can permanently change how your dog feels about grooming, and most owners would be surprised by how easy it is to make that mistake. Handle mats safely →
• Your grooming routine could be the earliest warning system for a health problem that saves your dog's life. Spot health issues early →

Golden retrievers have mid-length, feathered coats that require regular maintenance to keep your dog looking its best. Golden retriever grooming includes brushing their coats, bathing them, brushing their teeth, trimming their nails, and occasionally cleaning their ears. Let’s discuss 12 tips that everyone should know before grooming a golden retriever so that you can keep your dog’s coat healthy and beautiful.

#1: Start by Training Your Dog to Accept Handling

Ideally, golden retriever grooming should ideally begin by training your dog to accept handling as a puppy, but it’s never too late. You’ll want to:

• Touch them all over their bodies, especially their paws and tail. Introduce quick touches while you’re cuddling or petting your dog and move up to separating the toes, lifting the ears, and handling the tail.
• Pet them “backward.” Run your fingers through the coat in the opposite direction of the fur growth. Many dogs won’t love the feeling, but it’s necessary so that you can brush them thoroughly later on.
• Introduce new grooming tools slowly. Give your golden treats for simply looking at or touching the items. If there’s a noise, such as with a nail dremel tool or blow dryer, let them hear it from a distance first. Progress to touching the items to their coat, then using them for very short periods.
• Take things at their pace when possible. Work with your dog several times a day, but don’t push past their limits. Be patient and, when possible, don’t force anything! (Sometimes you’ll need to force grooming a bit to prevent matting, overgrown nails, or similar.)

#2: Brush the Coat from Head to Toe

Use a pin brush or metal comb to brush your golden retriever’s coat thoroughly. Start by brushing the fur in the opposite direction to which it grows, so that it stands upright. Then, brush it back down. Move slowly in case there are any tangles or mats in the fur. Pay close attention to their armpits and stomach, neck and chest, and rear and tail areas. These are the most frequent places for your dog to develop mats.

#3: Handle Mats Gently

If you notice any tangles or mats in the fur, don’t try to tug the brush through them. This pulls your golden’s hair, and they will learn to associate the brush with pain. Instead, carefully trim the mats with a pair of grooming shears. If matting is severe, it’s best to see a professional groomer or veterinarian for help. You can severely injure your dog by trying to remove mats that are close to the skin and cutting skin instead of fur.

#4: Create a Grooming Schedule

Brushing your golden retriever at least once weekly will keep the fur soft, healthy, and free of mats. It will also cut down on the amount of shed fur you find around the house. During shedding season, your golden should be brushed daily. In the spring and fall, golden retrievers shed their undercoats and grow new ones, meaning they shed much more than usual and are at greater risk of matting.

#6: Bathe Your Golden Retriever Monthly

Your golden should get a bath monthly, or whenever they’re dirty. Some will be able to go a bit longer between baths, while mischievous pups may need to be cleaned up more frequently. Start before your golden needs a bath by getting them used to the tub without water as well as the sound of running water. Place a non-slip mat in the tub to make them feel more secure and to prevent injuries.

Once you’re ready to bathe your Golden Retriever, wet the coat thoroughly. Run your fingers through the fur to ensure the undercoat is also wet. Then, lather dog shampoo in your hands and apply it to the entire coat. Rinse the coat well, using your hands to work out any remaining soap suds. This can help you spot soap that you may have missed otherwise, as Goldens have thick undercoats. Removing all of the soap is important so that your dog’s skin doesn’t become irritated from it.

You can follow up with a dog conditioner if desired, or skip to drying the coat. Blow-drying the coat against the direction of fur growth and then smoothing it back down can help remove any tangles that formed during the bath. However, experts are divided on this: some recommend brushing while the coat is slightly damp to remove dead hairs, while others caution that brushing a fully dry coat can cause damage.

#7: Brush the Coat Before and After Baths

To best remove dead fur and prevent tangles, brush your golden’s coat both before and after bath time. This keeps the coat sleek and healthy. Brushing before a bath also ensures that you can get shampoo down to the skin and that any tangles don’t become more compact when wet.

#8: Check the Coat and Skin While Grooming

Grooming your dog is a perfect opportunity to check them over for health issues. Part their fur down to the skin while brushing or grooming to check for redness or irritation, especially since these dogs are prone to allergies. Check the paws during baths and nail trims for any splinters or debris between the toes. Feel their body for any lumps or bumps. If you notice any issues, make an appointment with your veterinarian. Finding ailments early can save you money and, most importantly, save your dog’s life!

#9: Never Shave Your Golden Retriever

Golden retrievers have double coats that can be damaged if shaved. This is a problem because their coats help to insulate them from water as well as maintain their body temperature. Even in the summer, goldens shouldn’t be shaved or trimmed short. This actually gives them less protection from the heat and sun and can lead to heat stroke, sunburn, and skin issues.

#10: Clip the Feathering if Desired

While you shouldn’t cut it too short, you can trim the feathering, which is the long, silky hair on their ears, chest, legs, tail, and underside. Many golden retriever owners remove excess fur in these areas to prevent matting, or bring their dog to a professional groomer for a more polished result.

#11: Grooming Isn’t Only About the Fur

While we’ve discussed golden retriever coats in this article, please remember that dogs have other grooming needs as well. You’ll also want to add these tasks to your golden’s grooming regimen:

• Brushing their teeth at least every other day, if not daily, with a dog toothpaste. Avoid human toothpaste, which is toxic to dogs.
• Trimming the nails monthly. Trimming the nails helps to prevent joint pain, arthritis, and other mobility issues.
• Checking the ears and, if necessary, cleaning them monthly. Remember not to stick items like Q-tips into your golden retriever’s ears. See a vet if there is excess wax inside of the ears or if you notice any signs of an ear infection.

#12: Use a Grooming Table to Help Your Back

Finally, here is a tip for both your health and your dog’s. A table, even if it’s not a professional grooming table, can help alleviate back pain while grooming your golden retriever. Getting that perfect look can take time, especially if you’re trimming their coat at home. Bending down causes more back pain than standing upright while grooming. Having your dog elevated can also make it easier to inspect their paws.