Essential Golden Retriever Grooming Benefits

Routine grooming of your Golden Retriever is a key to a long and enjoyable life together. Once you and your dog get into a routine, the benefits increase because grooming becomes a productive part of life--- not an interruption. It takes some time and desire, but the effort will help cultivate a happy and loving Golden. Some general grooming necessities include regular brushing, nail trimming, and bathing.

Benefits of Regular Brushing

Regular brushing can develop into a great bonding activity for you and your Golden. Most Golden Retrievers like to be brushed, so take your time, be patient, and get him used to the brushing action. Eventually he will enjoy how it feels and appreciate the attention. A puppy might be a little impatient, so keep calm, take your time, and keep it positive.

Pay attention to any irregularities such as lumps, tender areas, or signs of fleas or ticks. Keep track of any changes that occur. Catching symptoms early can minimize later issues.
Make sure to use a proper brush. You want the dog to feel comfortable with the "feel” of the brush and the brush to effectively remove hair. There are different styles of brushes available, but the basic slicker brush is best to remove most of the loose undercoat and dead hair. An effective brush will cut down on shedding and keep your home more dog hair free.

Frequent brushing (perhaps twice a week) is recommended to keep the volume of fur to a minimum and therefore making your housecleaning life easier. Golden Retrievers tend to shed a lot, especially in the spring and fall, so a good brushing twice a week or more will keep the coat looking shiny, healthy and minimize shedding. Pay attention to hair mats and tangles and remove them in the early stages. A small mat of hair is much easier to remove if done early.

Nail Trimming Has Many Benefits

Keeping your dog’s nails trimmed allows her greater foot comfort and encourages her to be more active. Goldens will not want to exercise as much with long, irregular nails that catch on debris while walking through brush or snag on the carpet. Goldens love chasing down a Frisbee or fetching a ball, but will be reluctant if their feet are hurting.

Trimming nails truly demonstrates a labor of love since it is probably the most difficult aspect of grooming to master. Most dogs don’t like the procedure and the chance of drawing blood from clipping too close is a real possibility.

Nail trimming should become much easier when you have some success to build on. If you and your Golden have trouble seeing eye to eye with nail clipping, you might consider paying a professional to do it for you. It is worth the investment.

Also try taking frequent walks with your Golden Retriever on pavement to help keep nails short. This adds an additional benefit to regular exercise.
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Bathing Benefits

Golden Retrievers love swimming in lakes or streams, but hopping into a bathtub full of water may be another matter altogether. There might be some initial hesitation which requires some coaxing. Here's your chance to demonstrate to your dog that baths aren't as bad as they think they might be. And you’ll both benefit from that!

Some bathing benefits include:

• Your Golden will be more pleasurable to be around since he will smell better--- especially if he lives indoors.
• The elimination of critters such as fleas and ticks.
• Cleansing of bacteria which your dog may have come in contact with through swimming or rolling on the ground.
• Bonding between you and your dog.

Grooming is Essential

I hope you see how intimately good grooming habits are tied to your Golden Retriever’s health and happiness. Please keep in mind that grooming your Golden friend not only makes him more handsome, it also helps to keep him healthy and energetic as well! Golden Retriever grooming is truly a labor of love.

I have been caring for Golden Retrievers for over 20 years. I want every Golden Retriever to be loved and cared for. Want to learn more Golden Retriever Facts? Visit my website at http://www.yourgoldenretrieverfacts.com