Over the years I have developed a few tips on how to keep my Goldens looking their best between grooming appointments. Whether you are trying to stretch out their appointments, like to have them look their best for the holidays or your Golden just doesn't do well at the groomers, these basic grooming tips will help to keep them looking clean and trimmed.
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Brush & Clean the Coat with Waterless Shampoo
Before I begin, I brush the entire coat making sure to get out any tangles or knots which are usually behind the ears, the hindquarters and tail. Next, I like to use Isle of Dogs™ Refreshing Waterless Shampoo to clean their coat. This is a great option if you can't give them a bath or if you have an older Golden that doesn't enjoy bathing. It's sulfate and paraben free so it's gentle enough to use often without having to be rinsed out.
Just pump a good amount into the palm of your hand (it smells amazing!) and rub into their coat. I like to pay special attention to their chest, for some reason this is the first spot that starts to show dirt and grime. After I've gone through the entire coat I let it air dry for a bit.
Trim the Paws and Pads
If there is one thing that drives be bananas on my Goldens is "grinch feet", the long hair that grows between their toes that takes on a life of it's own. I use Top Performance Ball-Point Shears
to trim the hair after brushing it backward. I like these scissors because they have a ball point so the tip isn't sharp, just keep brushing the hair back until it is completely even and smooth.
This will take some practice especially if your Golden isn't thrilled about having it's paws touched but after you're done they should look like this...
I like to use the Oster Pro Trimmer to trim the fur on their pads. You can use the scissors I used for the foot fur but I like the trimmer because it gets close to their pads without having to worry about cutting them - better to be safe than sorry!
Clean Up the Feathers
Bruin doesn't have thick feathers on his front legs, so it's easy to keep these looking good. I use the Top Performance Fine-Point Shears
to just clean up the edges to make them look a little more tidy.
Trim the Nails
I swear my Golden's nails grow like weeds. As soon as I hearing them clicking on the floor, I know it's time for a trim. I find it much easier using a dremel tool rather than nail clippers. With the clippers you really have to be careful to not cut the quick which will bleed. I like to use the Dremel Pet Nail Grooming Tool
as an alternative, it's a quick way to shorten the nail with a smooth finish.
The cordless dremel tool has a few speeds, so start on low until your dog is used to it. Just make sure any fur is away from the dremel and never apply pressure or leave the sander touching the nail for longer than a second.Apply Conditioning Spray
After you have finished trimming, your Golden's fur should be dry and smell amazing! The final thing I do is spray Isle of Dogs Conditioning Spray throughout the coat with a final good brushing.
This conditioning spray is a primrose oil rich spray combined with herbal extracts to soothe skin, alleviate flakes and freshen and add shine to dull coats which helps extend time between baths. Since I don't trim Bruin's hind leg feathers or his tail, this spray keeps those areas looking healthy, shiny and soft!The Results
Here is Bruin after our grooming session. He looks pretty darn good for not having a full bath, he smells great and feels so soft! The one thing I didn't touch on today is the ears. As you can see, Bruin has crazy ear hair and I am just not brave enough to touch them so that is the one thing I leave for the professionals.
As you can see with just a few simple steps, you can keep your Golden looking their best between their grooming appointments. You don't need to do it all in one day, if you are just starting out start with the Isle of Dog's Waterless Shampoo and Conditioning Spray followed by daily brushing and you will notice a big difference. Then you can try trimming the feathers, paws and nails!
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