is it to early to groom

[andrewxlt]

Rusty's hair is getting nice and thick and he is shedding a good bit. The vet told me he isnt due for a full grooming yet but I was just curious as to could i carry him somewhere? He is 7 month old golden retriever.

Thanks,
Andrew

[cowgurl6254]

I don't see how it could be too early. I started grooming my puppy the day I got him. He has been seeing a professional groomer ever since he got his shots. He is only 5 months old. I would say go for it :)

[Aussie Red]

To me I say the earlier you start the better. I started getting my Shih-Tzus used to being groomed at 2 months old. It has become a normal daily thing to them and they don't mind it at all. Dogs that I have gotten from shelters seem to fear it and it can be tring to get them to sit still for brushings much less a bath and blow dryer.

[bubbatd]

I really don't understand. I groomed my pups from 1 week on. Nails, coats etc. Why do you need a professional groomer at his age ? Why do you need to carry him ?? Unless they were being shown , my goldens only got grooming when they aged and sported more hair than I wanted to do a chop-shop on.

[SummerRiot]

I dont understand why your vet would say that hes too young for a "full groom"??

Riot has been showing since he was 4 months old (sanction matches and then CKC trials).
He has been groomed daily since I got him as well???

[andrewxlt]

So far things my vet has told me I just didnt make sense. This isnt the first instance of wierd things they have told me. I just wanted to ask to make sure I wasn't losing my mind :) but I think im going to change vets soon I think majority of the time they are just blowing me off or are lazy and don't want to do anything.

[LizzieCollie]

I also say its a bit weird for your vet to say hes too young for a full groom, and in my experience Goldens dont really need to be professionally groomed unless being shown.

Grooming should start from day one, I mean it must be a pain to have a dog trying to eat the slicker brush and bouncing all over the place while trying to groom them.

Lizzie is 6 months old and when she sees the slicker she will sit down and I can turn her any which way to be able to better brush her and examine her.

[cowgurl6254]

I also say its a bit weird for your vet to say hes too young for a full groom, and in my experience Goldens dont really need to be professionally groomed unless being shown.

Grooming should start from day one, I mean it must be a pain to have a dog trying to eat the slicker brush and bouncing all over the place while trying to groom them.

Lizzie is 6 months old and when she sees the slicker she will sit down and I can turn her any which way to be able to better brush her and examine her.

Andy is the same way. If I say the command "brush", he will lay down and be completely still while I brush him. I've done it since day one and it has really payed off.

[Julie]

What exactly is a full groom on a golden retriever?

It is not like they need a poodle cut or something.

I would believe grooming a GR is similar to grooming my labs and shepherd.
Bathing....brushing.........nails (if needed)...maybe ears. Who needs a professional for that stuff?

I also agee that all that type of grooming should have been started early.:)
But I am sure it's not to late to get your dog accustomed to being handled in such a way.

Daily brushing REALLY helps to achieve a glossy coat and ALOT less hair in your home.

Again.... I ask what is a full groom? :confused:

[MysticRealm]

a full groom on a golden is nails, shave out the pads of the feet, trim up the feet, trim up the inside and edges of the ears bath of course, ear cleaning and full brush out., if you want shape the pants,tail, and skirt. Some goldens have a lot of hair and undercoat and if they are not brushed often can get big mats specially pants and behind the ears. they also could be helped out with shedding tools to get out the loose shedding hair.

oh and you trim up the feathers on the back of the lower legs.

Sorry had to add this. Grooming on a golden should start as soon as possible. in my experience goldens were generally one of the worst breed of dogs to groom. Goldens tended to be very fearful and or aggresive. slinking down on the tables, not standing still, trying to bite,and so on. I think goldens need a good socialization program (like all dogs but some breeds, and certain dogs, need more than others)

[Roxy's CD]

You guys groom your dogs while they sit?

I must be a meanie! ROFL. I always make them stand. It's a way to practice stand for exam. and I can get under their bellies!

I "groom" offen, I mean, brush, my guys don't get hair cuts, although I'm sure Hades would *love* to get haircuts! ROFL. They get their nails down once a week or once every two weeks and they get brushed at least every other day and sprayed as well.

I don't think it's ever to early to begin the routine of: nails, brushing, examine

I did all of this with Hades from day one, which was when he was 5 weeks old.

[Julie]

No, my dogs don't sit to be groomed. They stand, and they almost seem like they could fall asleep standing up. But mine don't get haircuts or anything. Lol. I don't think I said mine sit. :)

Now with the nails, I very rarely have to clip, they wear them down naturally. I have never had to clip a dog's nails regularly. They just wear them down during our activities.

[MysticRealm]

Some things you can do better with a dog sitting (somtimes back nails, and drying the back of a big dog while on the table) but for the most part a dog should stand unless it's say a standard show poodle that can take hours to dry then those dogs are usually taught to lie on there sides for that.