As a breed, Golden Retrievers require a minimum amount of regular grooming to remain clean and attractive. A little brushing, an occasional bath and a bit of trimming pretty much cover the needs of a Golden.
Grooming should begin while a dog is a puppy and should become routine. Some breeders clip puppy nails weekly until they go to their new homes. This teaches the puppy to accept having his nails clipped.
Some breeders also use a fine toothed comb daily to remove dirt from the coats. Mouths and baby teeth are checked to see how bites are developing, and ears are observed for cleanliness.
All of these preliminary steps taken by the breeder will help make grooming easier for the new owner as long as the process is continued.
Your Golden's ears will need weekly cleaning. Even if they do not appear dirty, frequent care will prevent ear problems. Ear cleaning solutions are available in pet stores. Place several drops in each ear and massage the ear for half a minute.
This way the solution can penetrate the greasy dirt. Let the dog shake his head to loosen the dirt. To actually remove the dirt, use cotton swabs or cotton balls. Clean the exterior areas of the inside of the ear, getting into the nooks and crannies of the outer ear.
A need for more frequent cleanings may require veterinary attention. We rarely think about the cleanliness of our dog's teeth, leaving that to the natural cleansing action of chewing.
However, dogs develop gum disease and tooth degeneration just like humans. We can help counter this progression by brushing the teeth regularly. Canine tooth paste and tooth brushes are available and can be used daily.
No comments:
Post a Comment