When it comes to our fur babies, we want the best for them. From hand-crafted biscuits from a unique boutique to personalized bandanas, no expense is spared when it comes to our puppies. And grooming is no exception!
But are we grooming our dogs correctly? Incorrect grooming can be bad for our dogs. It can be uncomfortable and there is also the risk of nasty ear infections or long-term conditions which is the last thing any of us want for our four legged babies!
Luckily for you, we take dog grooming very seriously here at OurCavapoo and are going to provide you with a step-by-step guide on grooming your Goldendoodle! Just keep reading to discover our best tips on grooming your pooch!
Do Goldendoodles need grooming?
Yes, Goldendoodles do need grooming! These dogs are typically very active, and their coats can become tangled easily with mud, dirt, and small sticks. They can be quite high maintenance, but well-maintained fur will prevent ear infections and matting – and save you the cost of pricey vet bills!
Grooming your Goldendoodle will also massage your dog’s skin and help you to spot any skin problems. Spotting any lumps, irritation, or redness can reduce any long-term health complications and save your dog any discomfort. Your dogs fur is also a good reflection of your dog’s diet and will lack lustre if they are missing vital nutrients in order to keep it healthy. For advice on the best food to feed your Goldendoodle, why not check out our informative guide.
Goldendoodles typically have one of three coats: curly, wavy, or straight. Your puppy’s coat can change as well as they age, and it’s essential to adapt your routine as their coat changes.
Types of Coats
As we said earlier, Goldendoodles coats come in three different types and have slightly different needs. Let’s take a quick look at these now.
Straight
Straight coats aren’t very common, but we do still see them with Goldendoodles. They need minimal brushing and generate mild shedding. It’s worth noting that these coats don’t come with the teddy bear look other Goldendoodle coats have.
Wavy
Wavy coats are the most common, sometimes known as shaggy coats. They are fairly easy to take care of with weekly grooming. You can expect low shedding or sometimes none at all!
Curly
Curly coats are common when it comes to Goldendoodles. They tend to be loose ringlets or tight kinks, similar to those on a poodle. These coats are very demanding; daily brushing will prevent matting.
These curly coats are non-shedding and a popular choice for those with allergies and are often to referred to hypoallergenic.
How to Groom a Goldendoodle
Grooming your Goldendoodle can be done in five steps! We will walk you through these, so fear not if you have never groomed your dog before! We have got your back!
Step 1: Brush your Goldendoodle
Begin by brushing through your dog’s coat. Ideally, you should do this three times a week, depending on the type of coat. Regular brushing will make it easier to get any mats out, preventing discomfort for your dog. Try and brush your dog regularly as early as possible to get them used to the experience.
As Goldendoodles have very unique coats, it is really important that you use the correct brush.
A slicker brush is an excellent brush to use for Goldendoodles. Start from the bottom, brush a line of hair away and pull a small portion down. You want to see the skin with each line of hair and continue doing it this way for the whole of your dog to ensure any mats and tangles are removed.
If you find some difficult mats that can’t be brushed out with a dematting comb, remove them with your dog clippers. Once you have done this, use a metal pin brush to comb through the coat until the brush moves easily through.
Step 2: Shave troubled areas.
Sometimes the tangles in your dog’s fur are too tricky to remove and will need to be shaved. Don’t panic; this is common with Goldendoodles and easy to do. Nervous dogs might need lots of reassurance; we find that some dog-friendly peanut butter on your finger goes a long way to keeping dogs calm.
Use your clippers to shave off any mat areas; the belly, genital area, and anus can be shaved smooth. It prevents these parts from absorbing any dirt and grime that can lead to nasty infections.
It’s also best to shave roughly an inch below the ear canal, too, to help with airflow, which leads us nicely onto our next step!
Step 3: Removing ear hair.
Before bathing your dog, pluck the hair in your dog’s ears. These can trap moisture and bacteria in the ear canal, leading to ear infections. You can pull the hair with your index finger and thumb, working gently and quickly to avoid causing pain to your dog. Remember, you only want the inner ear hair removed!
Once you have removed the hair, place cotton balls in the ear canal to keep the water out while you bathe them. Remove the balls immediately once you are finished.
Step 4: Bath time!
Bath time can be tricky for dogs, especially if they have any anxieties. It’s best to prepare the bath beforehand to make the process as smooth as possible! Have your shampoo, conditioner, rinsing cup, metal flea comb, and towels at the ready!
Your choice of shampoo is really important in order to maintain your Goldendoodles fur. If you are unsure which shampoo is best to use on your Goldendoodle then check out our tried and tested reviews.
Top Tip: “Remember to make the process as fun as possible! An excited tone goes a long way with these dogs!”
Start by bathing your dog as you usually would, ensuring that shampoo and conditioner are rinsed out to avoid any skin irritations.
Towel dry your dog in the empty bath to reduce the mess in your bathroom. You can use a blowdryer if you wish but be sure that the setting is warm and not hot, as this can hurt your dog.
Brush your dog’s coat as you dry it or as you towel dry it. Brush only in the growth direction, starting at your dog’s head and topcoat before moving onto the belly and legs.
You can use the cool setting on your dryer to ensure the coat is cooled down and then use your hands to ensure there are no damp spots. Avoid letting your dog dry naturally as they can get cold easily, leading to chills and leave them unwell.
Step 5: Comb and Trim
Once your dog is dried completely, you can comb through the coat again to remove any tangles. Combing through a dry coat will prevent further tangles.
Start with your dog’s head, using your grooming scissors so that the head blends in with your dog’s neck. Next, take a dog clipper and a 1-inch attachment to swipe down the sides of the cheeks. Be sure to check the clippers aren’t too hot for the dog.
You can then move onto the eyes. It’s best to use hand scissors here and not cut the hair too short. Next, move back to the clippers for the neck, back, sides, belly, and chest. Work the clippers in all directions for an even cut!
Leave 1/2inch above the elbows of the legs and back hips of your dog. Use the 1-inch attachment and a #30 blades to pass down each leg, grabbing the front, back, and sides. It’s best to use a downward motion here and follow with a comb and scissors to cut any remaining hairs.
Finish with the feet! You can use a nail grooming tool that grinds off the tips or clippers to trim the nails. Be sure to cut the feet, but not too close; you don’t want to see the pads! Curved scissors are best here.
Trim the hair between the pads so that it is level, but be careful not to cut the pink quickly as it is excruciating for your pups.
Final Thoughts
And that is how you groom your Goldendoodle! Be sure you have all the equipment before you begin grooming your dog, and remember to take your time. Whether it’s your puppy’s first groom or their 37th, taking your time and fussing your dog will make it an enjoyable experience for you both!
Remember: “A well trained Goldendoodle will be easier to groom as they will be able to understand commands”.
While this is a handy step-by-step guide to follow, it’s worth speaking to your vet if you have any concerns or your dog has any health problems regarding their fur or skin; remember, it is always better to be safe than sorry!
If you are interested to know about how to groom other Poodle cross breeds such as Cavapoos, Bernedoodles, Labradoodles and Maltipoos, then check out our informative guides.