DGirl, I need to ask you a dog grooming question.
Because I know your golden is leaving a trail of fur all over the beautiful linen couch you found on Pinterest and spent weeks looking for. Clumps on the rug. Tangles behind the ears. That weird smell after a rainy walk. You know the one.
You stand there with a brush and you just kind of push everything around.
It happened last spring when my dog rolled in something (I don’t want to know what) outside and I was in full panic mode. It was then that I decided to get serious about my dog’s grooming.
Good dog grooming should help keep your dog happy and healthy, not to mention make your home a little more livable.
These 12 tips changed my life, and they just might change yours.
#1: The “Fan Brush Blowout” Method That Makes Your Dog Look Like a Show Dog
Rory my golden is laying on the floor belly up after his bath. His fur is every which way and I’m just standing there holding a brush wondering where to start.
These photos are everything I could imagine! This dog is a black and tan long haired dog (looks like a Yorkshire Terrier or a long-coat Chihuahua mix) and he’s lying flat on his back, fanning out his beautiful fur and looking like he’s in a spa!
The two brushes I use the most in my grooming routine are the pin brush with metal bristles set in a cushioned base that separates and detangles the coat without snapping it, and the boar bristle paddle brush with an oval-shaped dark wood handle, for smoothing and giving the coat that glossy finish. The brushes are laid on a light tile surface that makes them easier to grab in a hurry.
Lay your dog on a non-slip bath towel to help keep them calm and still. Part the fur outwards from the spine while they are on their back. This will part the coat naturally and you’ll be able to see where the mats are located, near the armpits and chest.
Always brush him BEFORE the bath, not after. The mats will tighten up and become very difficult to brush out without hurting him.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @dangertakesover
#2: The Soaking Wet Spaniel Situation (And How to Actually Handle Bath Time)
If you’ve ever had one of those “happy” moments when your golden steps out of the tub and shakes, and your bathroom suddenly looks like a car wash exploded, you know what I’m talking about.
This little black-and-tan Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is working us. He is a bit wet and one paw up on the ledge of the tub saying, “please, I beg you, we are done now”. But, I have to give props to the setup behind him.
The star here is the freestanding white soaking tub. The deep, curved kind with a chrome cross-handle faucet and attached flexible metal shower hose. Yes, the hose is everything. It lets you rinse under the belly, behind the ears, between the toes, without having to wrestle your dog under a fixed showerhead. Behind the tub, stacked stone tile in warm grey keeps the space from feeling cold or clinical.
Grab a non-slip rubber bath mat to go inside the tub (you don’t want wet paws on the porcelain). Keep the bottle of dog shampoo within arm’s reach on the tub ledge (see the bottle in the back?). Reaching across a wet, panicky spaniel is not something you want to do.
For long-coated breeds, you should probably leave it on for longer than you think you need to. The product, if left near the skin, will cause the dog to itch, and in turn, will cause him to rub himself against the couch as soon as he gets out of the tub.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @dangertakesover
#3: The Right Shampoo Makes Bath Time Actually Bearable
Your golden is soaking wet and suds are everywhere. How is she still somehow shaking water all over your freshly mopped bathroom floor? Bath time is chaos. And you just can’t find the shampoo you want.
Looks like that little white terrier in the photo is pretty calm, no? Calm enough to let someone massage his neck and stick his tongue out? That’s because he has the right formula on his skin. The right formula is a pH-balanced, sulfate-free shampoo that will soothe his skin while you lather him up.
the bottles in the back ground are the green-labeled, pump-top dog shampoo and conditioner; formulated with ingredients like aloe vera and oatmeal extract. They are not harsh, but will leave their coats gentle and “moisturized”. Golden retrievers especially need this with their double coat.
Work the shampoo into the coat in circular motions starting at the neck and moving towards the tail. This will help to lift dirt without tangling the fur.
Here is something that most people skip, a leave-in conditioning spray. It cuts down on brush time and keeps the coat shiny between baths.
If your pup has sensitive skin, using a gentle shampoo and adding the 5 Best Dog Foods for Allergies: Finding the Right Diet for Your Allergic Dog to your pup’s diet can make a huge difference inside and out.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @doggonegorgeous
#4: The Furrish Grooming Lineup That’ll Make Your Golden’s Coat Look Absolutely Gorgeous
And you know that moment when your dog shakes off after being bathed and they still smell like… wet dog? I’ve been there with my cousin’s golden retriever, Maple, and it’s not a pleasant experience.
This little fluff ball is modeling the newest addition to the Furrish grooming range, and the products do all the hard work! There are four white bottles pictured – Baby Powder, Knot Be All Detangling Spray, Oh So Soothing Fragrance-Free Shampoo and Flush-N-Pup. All products are designed to be gentle on sensitive coats and skin.
My golden retriever has thick, beautiful hair that can easily get knotted up. To avoid having to untangle knots at bath time, I use the Knot Be All spray after she gets her baths.
Oh So Soothing is fragrance free and gentle enough to use on dogs with reactive skin. It left my dog’s coat clean and with zero irritation.
After a bath, spread the Baby Powder formula on your hair to keep the floof fresh between washes. One squirt is usually enough.
Small change, big win: finishing with Flush-N-Pup ear cleaner will help to avoid dampness buildup, especially for floppy eared breeds such as Goldens.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @elsa_themaltipoo
#5: The Multi-Dog Grooming Station That Makes Bath Day Actually Fun
Ever been standing there while your golden is running in from the backyard and you’re trying to wrangle her onto a table and she’s wiggling like she’s never heard the word “sit”? Yeah, this setup is for you.
This red-stained wood dog grooming station has a great multi-level platform. The steps are made of dark mahogany tones with a blue and yellow painted edging for grip. It is large enough to fit multiple dogs and the wire mesh backing provides a sense of confinement without feeling like a dog is trapped. You dog might actually stay here.
To recreate the look, you’ll need a few things: Treated wood planks Hex wire mesh panels S-hook rails to mount on the back frame of the step for storing leashes Painted step edges for the paws to dig into on wet days.
Put a wall mounted harness hook on one side. If I know my girl is going to decide she’s done mid-groom and want out of her harness and leashes will be within easy reach.
Space the levels so that they are at least 4 to 6 inches apart so that the smaller dogs can feel secure and the big dogs, like the Golden, can have room to stand. Sand every edge before staining. Nobody likes splinters on wet paws.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @clean___dog
#6: The “Overgrown” Stage — When Your Dog’s Hair Takes on a Life of Its Own
You’re petting your golden and you just can’t find where the fur stops and the ear begins. Yes, your dog is what groomers would refer to as “overgrown.”
And honestly? It’s more common than you think.
This is a photo of a cream and wheat-toned double coat West Highland Terrier with hair grown much longer than its natural length and the fur around the eyes has fallen down over the eyes, the beard is darkened due to moisture staining and the ears are completely hidden beneath the fur. Adorable. Underneath all that fluff, this dog probably can’t see very well and has serious matting beginning around the jaw and ear base.
Real talk: Overgrown coats trap more heat and dirt than well-kept ones do.
For the golden, it’s when the feathering on the legs and chest gets so long that it drags on the ground. That chest fur is basically a dirt mop at that point.
You want to book a full scissor trim before the mats get close to the skin because once they are too close they will need to be shaved. You can ask your groomer for a face framing trim to clear the fur away from her eyes. By keeping a 6-8 week grooming schedule you will never reach this stage again.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @darceysdoggrooming
#7: The Bright Pet Boutique Shelf That Makes Dog Grooming Actually Fun
Doggie is shaking off in the entryway and I can feel her wet paw prints on the tile. And I’m STILL buying grooming stuff from the sad little shelf in the laundry room. This is what I should be doing instead.
Sundae is a pet boutique with a yellow and blue display shelf system that feels more like a toy store than a grooming aisle. The pegboard back panel holds hanging toys and apparel with little hooks while the blue painted shelf ledges break up the all yellow cabinetry in the most satisfying way. And that French bulldog in the colorful printed dog shirt? Obsessed.
Want to recreate this look? Start with a bright yellow modular shelving unit (I love IKEA’s KALLAX painted in a warm mustard). Add a white pegboard insert cut to fit inside the back of your shelving unit. Pick up some small gold pegboard hooks to hang collars, leashes, and dog clothing. Fill with BARK brand plush toys, a few pump-bottle dog shampoos (love those dark amber bottles!!), and some grooming spray bottles lined up by height.
Keep your grooming supplies grouped by use — bathing on one shelf, accessories on another. It cuts your prep time in half because you’re not digging through a bin anymore.
If you’re stocking this shelf for a golden 12 Best Dog Gift Ideas: Top Picks for Every Pooch is a great place to start filling it out.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @lookphee.thefrenchie
#8: The Complete Dog Grooming Kit That Actually Works (Yes, All of It)
Your golden shakes off after a muddy walk and for some reason the smell hits you before the mud does. You grab whatever’s closest to you (maybe that half empty bottle from the pet store) and hope for the best.
Here’s a photo of a full grooming lineup laid out on a rooftop mat. A calm black Lab even posed next to his own products, like a pro! The products shown from Lucky Pawstore include: Coat Repair Anti-Hair Shampoo with oatmeal and almond, a 5-in-1 Total Repair Shampoo with calendula and organic oils, Neemshield Anti-Tick Shampoo, FluffLux Dry Bath spray, Sniff & Shine Perfume, and Canine Guard Anti-Itch Spray with aloe and neem.
At bath day time, I always use an anti-tick shampoo (see? not all chemicals are bad…neem is natural and repels all sorts of pests!). And when Golden takes himself for a roll down the beach and comes back in the house smelling like “something,” I grab the dry bath spray.
The best part: The perfume spray keeps the post-bath smell fresh for days, so my sofa no longer absorbs “wet dog” into the cushions.
Keep the anti-itch spray on the counter, not in a closet or cabinet. This way you will be able to grab it easier and less time scratching up your floors and furniture.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @lucky.pawstore
#9: The Pink Pom-Pom Poodle: How to Pull Off a Color-Dyed Show Groom at Home
Your dog just rolled in something unidentifiable in the backyard. Now picture the opposite, that’s what a dog groomed by UrbanDog looks like, walking out of a Parisian boutique.
I can’t help myself, it’s what this silver Standard Poodle is giving us, her fluffy pom-poms are dyed a soft blush-pink, her chest piece is round and full like a peony bloom, and every shaved line is razor clean. This is what a show-quality continental groom looks like.
Pet safe semi-permanent dye is used. OPAWZ is a brand of ammonia free dye that works well. The groomer used a slicker brush, curved shaving scissors, and thinning shears to create the round pom-pom effect on his ears. The pink leather collar completes the look.
Every colour and every place! Dye only the pom-pom sections (chest, ankles, ears, tail), so that the shaved parts are left natural grey. That contrast is what makes the wow effect!
Blot the colour with a dry microfiber towel then blow dry on a low heat to set.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @opawz
#10: A Lint Roller Is Your Pom’s Favorite Toy (And Your Secret Weapon)
You know that moment when you’re about to walk out the door and your golden has basically gift-wrapped herself all over your black pants? Yeah, this section is for that moment.
How cute is this little Pomeranian? He’s lying under a dining chair, and in his mouth, he has a lint roller like it’s his prized possession. And that jute rug underneath him, it’s basically a fur trap. Every golden owner I know has one.
I keep a green-handled lint roller in my house. It’s one of those Scotch-Brite Extra Sticky ones and it works great. I keep one under the dining room table, one by the front door and one in the car. I just run the adhesive sheet over the top and the fur, dander and debris sticks to the sheet, rather than having to vacuum it up or try to get the lint brush to pick it all up.
My second, and much easier option, is to have a spare roll of refill sheets stored inside a small ceramic bowl on my entryway console. It’s Pinterest-perfect, I promise.
Both Pomeranians and goldens will shed big, so roll your dog’s favorite places to hang out – the jute rug, the chair cushions, etc. – before your guests arrive.
And honestly, your dog will probably steal it anyway. You might as well buy two.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @pepsi_and_vegas
#11: The Grooming Table Setup That Makes Bath Day Actually Bearable
Your golden is soaking wet shaking water everywhere. What a 60 pound mop. Bath day is chaos. You are bathing your dog on your bathroom floor.
a dog in professional grooming station has a non-slip rubber mat placed on the black grooming table and is secured by a pink slip lead with blue padded loop restraint around the dog’s head.
This groomer is using a high-velocity hose dryer attachment, not a regular hairdryer. This flexible black corrugated hose blows water out from the undercoat to dry it fast. You can use one with a variable speed dial so it’s not too intense for a sensitive pup.
Toss a few white cotton towels on a side table too. They pick up more of the dog’s coat than microfiber towels do.
Keep a blue mesh muzzle on hand, even if your dog is friendly. The grooming table feels unfamiliar and even the calmest dog might get a little crazy.
With the use of a restraint loop, the dog will stand up on his/her own and you will have both hands free. This means the process takes only half the time.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @ruffresorts
#12: The Samoyed Blow-Out — How to Manage the Insane Shedding Season Like a Pro
oh wow so u think ur dog sheds alot? this is a samoyed mid shed. on the grass is a pile of white fluff that came off of one dog! Samoyeds have a double coat which is like two coats, a very wooly undercoat and a longer, course coat. When they blow coat it blows!
Grab a Curved Slicker Brush, an Undercoat Rake (something with rotating metal teeth about 2.5 inches in depth is ideal) and a De-Shedding Tool (something like a Furminator for large breeds). Do this outside on the grass. The wind blows the fur away, and it’s easier to clean up. Put down a dark colored silicone mat so you can see what you’re picking out.
This picture has me starting at the rear quarters and moving toward the neck. You brush against the coat to get rid of the undercoat and then brush with the growth. The undercoat rake lifts the dead layer of coat up and the slicker picks up the fine debris. This means that you will have weeks of no fur tumbleweeds rolling across your kitchen floor.
If your dog starts scratching a lot when shedding season rolls around, it may be due to irritation caused by his skin under all the fluff. Dog Skin Allergies Home Remedies: Natural Solutions to Soothe Your Pet discusses a few soothing options.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @samoyedpage
The Golden Retriever Grooming Secret That’ll Save Your Sanity (and Your Sofa)
Many pet owners will brush their dog’s outer coat. This is where many owners will end their dog’s grooming process. This is also where those big mats will start to hide. One of the main places that you will find these mats is right behind your dog’s ears and under the armpits. If you are in the middle of a show and you see a dog with a big mat under one of these areas, it could have been created in a short amount of time due to a moisture trap.
I would brush against the grain of the fur with a slicker brush to break up the under layer of hair, then against the grain of the fur to slick down the fur.
My cousin has a golden named Biscuit, and she had to spend $120 every six weeks at the groomer because the dog had such a matted coat. However, once she started using this two-direction technique three times a week, her grooming bills dropped in half.
I didn’t find out until I had kids, that after a bath, you should blow dry them on low heat, to keep their beautiful, golden fur from getting too damp to the point that it stays damp for hours.
It is also much better to be consistent over intense, I’d rather spend 10 minutes three times a week with my dog than 2 hours with a panicking, wiggly dog on a Sunday afternoon.
Your Golden’s Gut Will Thank You
I know how much you love to spoil that boy! But real love means making sure that all the “good stuff” gets into his body, not just into his bowl.
I suggest to start small. Try changing one ingredient at a time to see how he reacts. I for sure still have lots to learn but wanted to share some things I have learned from some of the recipes. For example I was making my own recipes and adding stuff to them and I was actually surprised to learn what dogs can actually eat safely and cant eat.
And if he goes nuts for pumpkin flavor, the homemade pumpkin dog treats are so easy you can make a batch before your coffee gets cold.
What’s the first ingredient you’re swapping out this week?
Amr Mohsen is a software engineer who traded his keyboard for a leash — at least on weekends. His love for dogs inspired him to share what he learns as a dog owner and enthusiast, bringing a detail-oriented, research-driven perspective to every article he writes. If it’s about dogs, he’s probably already looked it up twice.
