Table of Contents
Goldendoodles are beautiful, intelligent, and highly sociable dogs. Taking the best qualities of their parents- the golden retriever and the poodle- Goldendoodles are the perfect mixes of looks and intelligence.
For those who don’t know, Goldendoodles come in 3 different sizes. The sizes and variably dependent on the parents of the Doodle. This also means that the coats of the Goldendoodle puppies depend on the parental inheritance, whether it is more retriever or poodle.
Since they can have different types of coats, the grooming needs for Doodles can differ. Goldendoodles are generally long-haired, and they can have a straight, wavy, or curly coat. It is advertised that Doodles have a non-shed and hypoallergenic coat.
However, it does not mean that Goldendoodles do not shed at all. Because of their long-haired coat, Goldendoodles require regular grooming, as the coat can become tangled and dirty. Left unattended for too long it can result in skin infections and rashes.
In extreme cases, dogs have to be shaved to remove matted fur and knots. If it is your first time grooming at home, there are many types of Goldendoodle Haircuts you can try to make the process enjoyable!
7 Secrets Of Grooming Your Goldendoodle
If you are a first-time Goldendoodle owner, or you want to groom your Doodle at home but don’t know what, keep on reading. The internet can be a scary place if you want to learn how to groom your Goldendoodle at home, and the sheer amount of information can be overwhelming.
We are here to reassure you that simplicity is the key, and having a step-by-step method can help you a lot. We have 7 detailed, easy-to-follow steps for you to clean and groom your Goldendoodle at home.
1. Gather Your Tools
The first step is to prepare yourself. That means finding or buying all the right tools for the job. The right tools are essential for a quick and hassle-free job. This also means less anxiety for you and your dog.
The list of things you will need:
- Dog clippers
- Steel comb
- Slicker brush
- Grooming scissors
- Shears
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Detangler (if needed).
- Blow dryer
- Eye and Ear drops.
Gather all these required tools and assemble them beforehand. Place them within an arm’s reach, and make sure the quality of the tools and products is good.
2. Make Your Dog Comfortable
Your dog can be anxious if it’s the first time you are grooming it. You can also be apprehensive, and your Goldendoodle is highly receptive and can pick up on it. This can mean a hard time for both you and your Doodle.
This is why you have to make your dog comfortable. Try to make grooming time a form of playtime.
This will mean comforting your dog with familiar and safe things. Surround your Goldendoodle with toys and blankets. Make sure the environment you are grooming your dog in is not new or alien. Choose familiar places to reduce anxiety.
If your dog is still anxious, you can use treats to calm it down and reward good behavior throughout the process.
3. Brushing Your Doodle
To start the grooming, you should start with dry brushing your dog’s fur. This will remove all the dirt and large particles from the Goldendoodle’s fur. Start with slow strokes, and brush all over so that all the dirt and debris have been removed.
You can use a regular steel comb, or you can use a slicker brush if you feel the steel comb is not enough.
Try not to pull too hard on your dog’s fur. Find your rhythm and try to cause minimal discomfort.
4. How To Detangle
The next step in grooming your Doodle is to detangle. Detangling will ensure any matted fur or knots are removed. You can use a detangler here if needed.
The best tool to detangle is the dog clippers. Carefully locate any knots of mated fur left behind after the dry brushing. Position your clippers carefully and cut away at the base of the knot. Take caution and do not cut too close to the skin.
After cutting the knot t the base, run a clean brush at the site of the know to release any leftover hair and dirt. Clip, clean and brush wherever needed.
5. Bathe Your Doodle
After all the matted fur and knots have been removed, it is time to bathe your Goldendoodle. Before putting your dog in the water make sure the temperature is just right. If the water is too hot, or too cold it can alarm your dog and disrupt the grooming process. The water needs to warm, so it can feel comfortable.
Pour your shampoo in the water if you like to make it sudsy, it is optional. Pour water all over your dog’s fur and make sure all of it is properly soaked before applying shampoo. Lather the shampoo in your hands before application.
Wash with clean, warm water, and repeat until all the shampoo has been washed away. Condition liberally, and also clean off with warm water.
6. Trimming
After the bath, towel dry your dog but do not dry completely if you want to give your dog a trim. This step is technical but if you know what areas to avoid and be careful around, this should not be too hard.
Use an electric trim on the body, but use mechanical scissors around sensitive parts like the face, eyes, ears, genitals, and paws.
Trim carefully around the face, cut the overgrown hair near the eyes and ears but do not cut too close to the skin. On the rest of the body, while using an electric trimmer, try to keep the setting on the same length for a more groomed look.
7. Finishing Touches
For finishing touches, you can give your dog a blow dry if your dog is not afraid of loud noises. You can also put eyes and ear drops to prevent irritation that might have occurred during grooming.
Conclusion
If you follow a methodical, step-by-step technique while grooming your Goldendoodle, your task will become very easy. All you have to do is make your dog comfortable and try to cause the least amount of discomfort so that the process is not disrupted.
Be prepared beforehand, have all the right tools, and your grooming session will go smoothly!