Question:
Hi everyone! I have an almost 8 month old golden and was thinking of taking her to a groomer soon for a "trim" etc. Is she still too young? (i.e. doesn't have all her adult fur yet?) Would it be better to wait until she's a year? Should I have gone already? A nd how often do most people take their dogs to a groomer? We have given her a bath twice so she's been cleaned! But we aren't experienced enough to trim her fur etc. Just looking for opinons! THanks!

Answer:
I took my malamute once a month to Pet smart. They charged $13.95 to clip his nails and wash and dry before 6months. I stayed and watched and picked up some grooming tips so i could do it now. He too is 8months (on sunday) Now I groom him once a month myself, although he is starting not to fit in my bath tub and generally i go through 10 towels to clean up all the water in the room but every month I get a little better at it. I groom once a month but Goku is a show dog and i wanted him to get used to being groomed. Alot of people only groom 2x a yr.
When you say "trim" a golden what do you mean? I know some people shave their bellies in th summer to keep the cool ,but I didn't think you ever trimed a goldens fur.

Answer:
Oh well there you go! Guess I have more to learn! I mostly meant the fur around the ears, the fur between the pads of her paws etc...Unfortunately, we don't have a PetSmart here...as that would be a great solution! Two times a year is what I was thinking of as well...since I don't need to get her ready to be a show dog and used to being groomed. Thanks for your help!

Answer:
My puppy just turned six months and he has been to the groomer twice. Of course, since he's a shih tzu he really had to go---very furry. But our groomer is so sensitive and gentle. She only did as much as was necessary so as not to stress him out and to leave him feeling as though the groomers is a happy place.

Talk to the groomer before you take him in.

Answer:
Hi Tracey,

I'm a groomer and in our area we have LOTS of goldens. Most people have them done 4 times a year. Don't forget, having a dog groomed is much more than just a bath. Your golden is still young, but as he grows, his coat will thicken and this will make your task of grooming him at home that much more difficult. At the salon, we are equipped with equipment that lets us do a very thorough job. We have elevated bathtubs and our dryers will 'blow' out all the undercoat (thus getting rid of little 'furbunnies' you see rollling all over your floor), then we brush AND comb (don't forget the comb!) right down to the skin, clip the nails, clean the ears, then usually we trim the paws, tail, and a little all around just to neaten them up. And of course we always finish them up with a lovely fragrance and a bandana! Your groomer will also be able to detect any skin and/or ear problems goldens are so suseptable to getting.
Some people do a great job at home grooming their pets, but it is a dirty job and most people just don't have the time or energy to get the job done properly........

Answer:
We started taking Gomez at 3 months so he could get used to the groomer and the place - at first it was just a few hours there for brushing and lots of cuddling - then the next time he got a bath and a brush, and so on...

Now he's one, he goes every 3 months for a groom and a light stripping, and every 6 months he gets a more complete striping (about 5 hours) if his coat is blown...

Both the breeder and the groomer suggested starting as early as possible so they can get used to being groomed -

Gomez leaps into the groomer's arms...!

Answer:
Thanks very much for all of your replies! I am definitely not experienced enough or well-equipped enough at home to do a good job. I do want to take her to one soon to get her used to it and, as you said boubou, to get a thorough cleaning done. I do the best I can...but it's getting much harder! Especially the nail clipping! Egads! What a chore that is!
Thanks very much for your help and suggestions!

Answer:
i too have one, he is 5 months old
we groom at home with brsuhing and bathing so far and the vet shaved around his bum for us



Originally Posted by joeysmama
My puppy just turned six months and he has been to the groomer twice. Of course, since he's a shih tzu he really had to go---very furry. But our groomer is so sensitive and gentle. She only did as much as was necessary so as not to stress him out and to leave him feeling as though the groomers is a happy place.

Talk to the groomer before you take him in.



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