How to Groom a Goldendoodle in 9 Easy Steps

Goldendoodles are best known for their playful demeanor and cute, cuddly coat. With their adorable appearance, these cuties will certainly put a smile on a dog lover’s face. That said, it’s essential to keep your Goldendoodle happy and healthy with proper care. So How to Groom a Goldendoodle?

Whether you have a standard size or mini Goldendoodle, your fur baby will need regular grooming to maintain its ultra-soft coat. Although these pups are light shedders, you’ll need to brush and clip their coats properly to keep them in top shape.

If you’re planning on grooming your dog at home or just freshening them up before the next visit to the groomers, there are a few essential steps to take. In this guide, you’ll find an easy-to-follow method on how to groom a Goldendoodle for your pup’s next pamper session. 

How to Groom a Goldendoodle in 9 Steps

As the Goldendoodle inherits traits from both its curly Poodle and shaggy Golden Retriever parents, its appearance can vary. These pups can sport a straight, wavy, or curly coat.

Whether your dog has a thick coat like a Retriever or cute loose Poodle-like curls, there are a few basic care tips that all doodle owners should know. Here are the step-by-step instructions for good Goldendoodle dog grooming.

Tip: It’s best to groom Goldendoodles when they’re calm. If you’re struggling with an anxious pup, consider infusing the room with calming essential oils or use CBD oil for dogs.

1. Have the Necessary Grooming Equipment on Hand

The first step for successful at-home grooming is making sure that you have the right tools on hand. Below is a list of some of the essential equipment that you’ll need when grooming your Goldendoodle:

• Dog clippers
• A steel comb or grooming rake
• A slicker brush
• Metal pin brush
• Thinning shears
• Pet shampoo and conditioner
• A rinsing cup or spraying tool
• Towels and/or a pet grooming hairdryer
• Dog toothpaste and a toothbrush

2. Brush & Comb Your Goldendoodle

Brushing is essential to keep your Goldendoodle looking its best. It helps to untangle the fur and get rid of any debris in your pup’s coat. Regular brushing is important, especially if you have a curly-coated dog or prefer the look of a longer coat.

It’s recommended to brush a Goldendoodle at least three times a week. But, daily brushes are always best to keep your pup’s coat clean and mat-free. And the more frequently your dog is brushed, the more familiar and comfortable it will be with the process.

For the best results, you’ll want to use a slicker brush and a steel comb. The slicker brush is great for fluffing the outer coat and giving it a soft appearance. When brushing your dog with a slicker brush, start at the bottom and brush your way up.

As you brush a line of hair, you’ll want to see the skin and make sure there are no tangles or mats. Although the slicker brush works well for finding mats, you’ll need a steel comb to untangle them. When removing the knots and tangles, it’s best to start from the end of the strands and move closer to the skin.

Tip: If you have a curly doodle, a steel comb would be a great choice. On the other hand, a grooming rake is an excellent tool for doodles with a wavy coat.

After dematting your pup, you can use a metal pin brush to comb the fur thoroughly. It’s important to make sure that it moves through the coat easily. If not, it’s best to check for any remaining tangles.

3. Remove Tangles & Shave Trouble Areas

If you can’t remove all the tangles with a comb, this next step will help get rid of those stubborn mats. If you’re new to grooming, you’ll want to use pet-friendly clippers. Although many professionals use scissors, it’s best to use dog clippers for at-home care as it reduces the risk of accidentally injuring your pup.

While having a dog with a long coat makes for an extra comfy cuddle buddy, it increases the risk of infections and mats in certain areas. So, it’s best to keep these areas trimmed regardless of your pup’s coat hairstyle.

The areas that you’ll want to shave include the belly, groin, and backside. Additionally, you can shave about an inch below your doodle’s ear canal to allow for better airflow.

Dogs can also grow hair inside their ear canal. Often, this is found in Poodle crossbreeds, such as the Goldendoodle or Labradoodle. As the hair in the ear canal can store moisture and bacteria, it may lead to ear infections. So, it’s best to pluck it and keep the area clean.

You can carefully remove the ear hair using your pointer finger and thumb. It’s best to gently pull small sections at a time, as larger ones might be painful for your puppy.

After removing the hair, you can put cotton balls in your dog’s ears to help keep the bathwater out. But, be sure to remove the cotton balls immediately after bath time.

4. Bathe Your Goldendoodle

To prepare for bath time, you’ll need to grab your dog shampoo and conditioner, as well as a rinsing cup and a few towels. It’s important to use a shampoo specially designed for pets as human products might strip the natural oils from their skin and fur.

Before placing your pup in the warm bath, make sure that no drafts are coming in. Additionally, it’s best to turn off the air-conditioning to prevent your dog from getting a chill. After the preparation, you can start scrubbing your dog’s coat with shampoo.

Although dogs love water, they usually don’t enjoy baths as much as splashing in the sea. So, you’ll want to give your pup lots of petting and a relaxing massage during this time.

After a good scrub, you can rinse the coat thoroughly. Make sure that you’ve rinsed out all products as it could lead to skin problems if left behind. Washing your Goldendoodle will help to get rid of any debris and determine the state of its coat.

Now that your fur baby is dirt-free, you can drain the water while keeping your dog in the bath. You’ll then wrap up your pup and begin the drying process.

5. Dry the Coat

Once your pup is clean, you can towel dry its coat or use a pet hairdryer. If you’re using a hairdryer, you should keep it 12 to 18 inches away from your doggo.

Keep in mind that the hairdryer should be set on warm and not hot or high as it could burn the skin. It’s best to test the heat on the back of your hand.

When the hairdryer is at the right temperature, you can begin to dry the head, ears, and topcoat. You can then move on to dry the belly area and legs.

During this time, you can use your other hand to fluff and then brush the fur. But, be sure to move in the direction that the hair grows to remove any loose hairs on the surface and keep the coat smooth. You’ll want to keep the hairdryer on until the undercoat feels dry and there are no damp spots.

It’s important to dry the coat completely as damp spots can easily start matting. If you want to cool down your pup, simply run the hairdryer on a cooler setting at the end.

6. Comb & Prepare to Clip

Now that your Goldendoodle is completely dry, it’s time to comb through the coat and remove any tangles. As you brush through the fur, you’ll want to trim certain areas using dog grooming scissors or clippers.

Tip: If your electric clippers heat up during the process, you can use a cooling spray for clippers or have two sets of clippers on hand.

Trimming the Head & Face

Start off by carefully trimming the head with grooming scissors to ensure that it blends into the neck. Then move on to trimming the fur on your pup’s face. Depending on your desired doodle grooming style, you can either cut it neatly with the grooming scissors or opt for a clean-shaven look.

To neaten up the fur in front of the eyes, you can also use clippers. And if you want to prevent the hair from growing too thick, thinning shears are an excellent tool to use between the eyes.

As the top of a Goldendoodle’s muzzle can get puffy, it requires regular grooming as well. The top and bottom of the muzzle should be kept shorter than the sides. The lengths of the sides are dependent on your preferred style. But, it should not be too long to keep it from going into the mouth.

Trimming the Body

After grooming your Goldendoodle’s face, use the clippers to trim the neck, back, chest, sides, belly, legs, and paws. The clippers can move in all directions, but be sure to keep the cutting uniform. When transitioning from the neck to the rest of the body, you can change the attachment to your desired length.

Generally, you’d use a one-inch attachment for the body and legs. When it comes to trimming the legs, make a single pass downwards on each side of the legs.

And don’t forget about those cute paws. It’s best to start from the front and be extra careful around the pads. A curved grooming scissors works well for grooming paws. It can be used to trim the hair between the pads as well.

Note: If you’re unsure about your grooming skills or have an anxious pup, it might be best to leave the trimming to a professional groomer.

7. Cut Your Goldendoodle’s Nails

After trimming the fur on your doodle’s feet, it’s time to tackle those nails. Trimming the nails is vital as it prevents them from growing too long and curving into the paw pads. Other problems that may arise from long nails include splitting and infections.

To neaten your dog’s nails, use nail clippers or a nail grinder. It’s best to trim the nails carefully to avoid cutting into the blood vessels. You’ll also need to hold your dog down when cutting the nails.

8. Clean Your Goldendoodle’s Ears & Teeth

Like humans, dogs develop tartar and plaque on their teeth from food particles and bacteria. As such, it’s important to maintain proper dental care for your doggo. Cleaning its teeth two to three times a week will also help to prevent odor and dental diseases.

To clean your Goldendoodle’s mouth, you’ll need a toothbrush and toothpaste that’s suitable for dogs. Keep in mind that it may take time for your dog to become comfortable with brushing.

Tip: To help your doodle get familiar with the taste and texture of toothpaste, you can put some on your finger and let your dog lick it off.

Another essential part of Goldendoodle grooming is ensuring that your dog’s ears are clean and healthy. You can clean the ears using a dog-friendly ear cleaner or a product recommended by your veterinarian. It’s crucial to avoid pressing any debris into the ear canal when cleaning it.

If there is debris in the ear canal that’s challenging to remove, it’s best to visit your vet to have it removed. It’s also a good time to inspect the ears and check for any signs of ear infections.

9. Brush Your Goldendoodle’s Coat

Lastly, you’ll want to brush your pup to remove any remaining fur. And keep an eye out for any uneven areas as well.

For any irregular spots, simply even out the coat with a quick trim. Now that the Goldendoodle grooming routine is complete, your pup is ready for endless cuddles and playdates.

Importance of Grooming Your Goldendoodle

In addition to maintaining a Goldendoodle’s adorable appearance, there are many reasons why maintaining a proper grooming routine is essential. Here are a few benefits of regular grooming:

• It keeps the coat in good condition and prevents tangling and matting
• It massages your pup’s skin and helps with circulation
• Reduces the risk of health issues
• Grooming makes your dog familiar with being touched and helps with socialization
• Allows for quality time between you and your fur baby

When to Start Goldendoodle Grooming

Your Goldendoodle puppy can be ready for his first grooming session at around 10 to 12 weeks old. Generally, grooming starts after the second round of shots and before the pup is 16 weeks old.

Your puppy won’t need a full haircut. But, it’s best to get them familiar with the grooming process from a young age.

Keep in mind that Goldendoodles’ coats change when they are about six months old. The transition from the fluffy puppy coats to the adult coat can often cause matting. As such, a regular grooming routine is essential in the early stages as well.

Tip: It’s best to wait at least one week before grooming as it may cause stress to your new furry family member.

Frequency of Goldendoodle Grooming

It’s best to groom your Goldendoodle every four to six weeks to maintain a plush and polished coat. Additionally, you should keep up with daily home care, such as brushing their fur and teeth.

A few factors that may influence your grooming schedule are seasonal changes and outdoor activity. Although Goldendoodles are year-round shedders, seasonal changes may affect the amount of shedding.

As such, grooming needs may increase during the winter and summer months. In addition, your Goldendoodle might need an extra brush or wipe down if it plays outside and gets dirty frequently.

Final Thoughts on Goldendoodle Grooming

A well-executed grooming routine is essential to keep your Goldendoodle smiling. There are many reasons to keep your pup clean and looking its best, from improving its health to preventing tangling.

But, the best part of grooming is that it provides quality time to build an unbreakable bond between you and your adorable pup. So, get ready for a fun pamper session and lots of loving licks.

If you’re deciding on products, keep in mind that dogs prefer some smells over others. For more information, read this guide on smells dogs hate.