Did you know:
That unbrushed pets develop matting because the dead undercoat does not fall out of the living coat?
Many unskilled owners have a tendancy to brush and comb only the outer coat, leaving the under coat subject to potential matting problems.
Did you know:
That you are not a bad pet owner if your pet has a few mats? Together we can find a solution! I will happily show you techniques to get the most out of brushing your golden's coat. Proper brushing also means less dead coat which in turn makes for a happier dog and subsequently, less tumbleweeds for you to pick up off the floor also makes for a happier owner.
Goldens are fairly easy dogs to maintain, but they need to be faithfully brushed for they are a double coated breed. This two layer coat naturally protects them in the water and from the elements but the downside to having such a coat however, is that it is prone to getting matted and tangled if not groomed on a regular basis.
By brushing daily or weekly, your companion will not only have a beautiful coat equal to any show dog but you will also notice a significant reduction in the amount of hair you find throughout the house. Once the dead or loose hair is completely removed, a daily maintenance brushing will take less than 15 minutes. A slicker brush is recommended to start as the small curved pins help in aiding quick removal of hair.
NEVER SHAVE YOUR GOLDEN. As mentioned earlier, the Golden's coat is designed to protect them in any type of weather. The only areas of hair that require grooming are on and inside the ears, the tail and the feet (under pads and between toes). Many folks often request that the backside feathering (skirt/pants) be thinned out &/or shortened and while it is not normally part of a show cut, I realize having this area trimmed makes it more practical for owners to help keep their dogs clean and so I am happy to oblige. I apologize, but I will not shave a Golden so please don't ask.
The Golden's nails should be clipped regularly. Long nails are uncomfortable for the dog and for anyone they might jump on. Long nails can also compromise the shape of your dog's foot, causing it to splay. Nails should be trimmed regularly.
DO's and DON'TS
Do:
- Make sure your dog is DRY when you drop your dog off for his/her grooming session.
- Bring your pet in on a regular basis.
- Have your pet's nails trimmed at least every 4-6 weeks.
- Communicate your wishes clearly to your groomer to avoid misunderstandings.
- Inform your groomer of any medical conditions your pet may have.
- Make sure your pet relieves himself prior to his grooming appointment.
- Listen to your groomer's suggestions about your pet & ask questions you mght have about maintenance.
- Always make sure you let the groomer know of your dog’s behavior, especially if he has any particular issues.
Don't:
- Bathe your pet between grooming appointments unless you are sure all the tangles are brushed out FIRST.
- Use human shampoo or detergents on your pet.
- Expect your groomer to always be able to cover up where mats had to be cut from the coat.
- Forget to inform your groomer of any sensitive areas that your pet may have.
- Forget to brush AND comb your pet between professional grooming appointments.
- Bring in your dirty dog and expect your groomer to give him his hair cut without having a bath first.
