How to Bathe a Goldendoodle? (Steps)

To keep a Goldendoodle well-groomed, it’s essential to brush them daily. Bathing, on the other hand, should only be done once a month.

A Goldendoodle is a mix between a golden retriever and a poodle. Their fur can range from soft waves to voluminous curls since they take on traits from both of their parent’s breeds.

Giving dogs a bath is a significant part of their grooming routine. One thing you must keep in mind is that Goldendoodles have sensitive skin. If they get bathed too often, then their skin starts to dry out.

In order to avoid making the dog uncomfortable, only give them a bath once a month. Once a month is enough to keep their skin and coat healthy. 

Keeping a Goldendoodle’s Coat Healthy

It is crucial to give your Goldendoodle a bath once a month because it helps to give both their fur and skin a reset. This rule of thumb applies to all Goldendoodles.

It doesn’t make a difference if one plays outside in the dirt often and the other stays inside a clean home all day. Unlike humans, the amount of physical activity they get doesn’t affect their hygiene.

A Goldendoodle’s skin will naturally release small amounts of body oil. These oils will naturally moisture their skin while creating a protective layer.

However, after time these oils start to build up. Their coat only needs a certain amount of oil, so the remaining oil will just stay on their skin.

Not only does this start to smell really bad, but it also clogs their pores. Clogged pores could lead to all sorts of problems with their coat. This is why the monthly bath is so important.

Getting on a schedule of bathing your Goldendoodle once a month is enough to clean up any remaining oil without drying out their skin.

On top of making them smell a lot better, giving a Goldendoodle a bath the right way will:

• Clean off dirt and debris
• Get rid of oil build-up.
• Clean and moisturize their skin.
• Protect their fur from damage caused by environmental factors

What Products To Use When Bathing a Goldendoodle?

• Goldendoodle Brush (and a simple budget friendly comb)
• Clippers to Match a Goldendoodles Coat
• No-Tears Style Puppy Shampoo (see the BEST Goldendoodle specific shampoos)

Before washing your Goldendoodle, some grooming will need to be done. Since their fur could likely have tangles, it’s a good idea to have some clippers by your side.

The reason you should have clippers instead of scissors is that any sudden movement around the sharp scissor could lead to injury.

How To Bathe A Goldendoodle?

1. Brushing and Clipping (How to shave a Goldendoodle)
2. Preparing the Bath
3. Shampoo
4. Rinsing
5. Drying

Goldendoodles come in various colors and have 3 basic fur types: straight, wavy, and curly. Each dog’s fur has its own distinct characteristics, giving each one a unique look.

There are a ton of different doggy haircuts to choose from that complement these adorable pups. Follow the steps below, and you’ll be able to keep your Goldendoodle clean and groomed at home.

Brushing and Clipping Goldendoodles

Before washing a Goldendoodle, it’s crucial to give their coat a good brushing. Combing through the dog’s fur can get rid of tangles and even loosen up some of the debris that’s stuck in their fur.

You may come by some hard to get with the brush and littered with mats and knots. Use clippers to get at these.

Investing in a pair of clippers designed for dogs will make the job a lot easier for both you and the pup. Ensure they are kept sharp and well-maintained, as it makes it easier to get through the dog’s fur. 

Preparing a Goldendoodle’s Bath

Now that the Goldendoodle has been prepared for the bath, it’s a good idea that you allow them to take a quick break while you prepare their bath. This will allow them to work off some energy to be more relaxed during the bathing process.

While they are playing, you can get the bath ready.

Make sure everything needed for the bath is at your side before you begin, as you don’t want to leave the room once that pooch is in the tub. Along with their shampoo, it’s a good idea to have the following items ready:

• Towels
• Sponge or washcloth
• Shampoo brush
• Slip-proof mat 
• Cotton

Although some of these items aren’t necessary, they do make giving the dog a bath a lot easier. If you’re wondering why cotton is on the list, some people use it to plug their dog’s ears to prevent water from getting in the canal. Petroleum jelly can be put on the cotton ball for extra protection. 

Shampooing Your Goldendoodle

Picking out the right shampoo is the most critical part of this process. Once you have everything ready for the bath, bring your Goldendoodle over and get them into the tub. The easiest way to get them clean is to do the shampooing in two different sections: their bodies and faces.

I love the smell of Nootie’s Japanese Cherry Blossom – and it is perfect for wavy and curly non-shedding Goldendoodle coats.

How To Shampoo a Goldendoodle’s Face?

When cleaning a Goldendoodle’s face, always try to avoid getting any soap in their eyes. The best way to make sure that you don’t get shampoo in their eyes is by not putting the suds directly on their face. Instead, use a washcloth or sponge to clean their face. 

Another way to give their face a good cleansing is by using shampoo in a small applicator bottle to apply around the eyes and nose. A small shampooing brush can be used to lather the soap into the fur. 

How To Shampoo a Goldendoodle’s Body?

Shampooing a Goldendoodle’s body isn’t as particular as their face. You can apply the shampoo directly on their coat, working your way from the neck down to the tail. When lathering the shampoo on your dog’s body, always work your way down to avoid getting suds in their face.

To ensure the dog is clean, it’s important to lather their whole body. This includes their undercarriage, legs, and paws. During this process, you can also take a fine-tooth comb to the dog’s fur to get any knots that may have been missed earlier. 

How To Properly Rinse a Goldendoodle? 

After shampooing, a Goldendoodle needs to be rinsed properly. This is important for their coat and skin’s health. If any shampoo gets left behind, then their skin could become dry and irritated. In order to make sure this doesn’t happen, you will need to rinse the Goldendoodle several times.

The rinsing matters’ motion, too, because you want to avoid getting shampoo in their eyes. To thoroughly rinse a Goldendoodle, the best way to go about it is starting at the top and working your way down.

Keep it systematic – also work from the front to the back. It may take a few rinses to get out all of the shampoo from their fur.

How To Dry a Goldendoodle After Their Bath?

Okay, you can take a sigh of relief now because the hard part of the job is over. Now that the Goldendoodle is nice and clean, it’s time to dry off. Wipe them down thoroughly with a dry towel and try to soak up any excess water in their fur.

Let them have a moment to run and shake themselves dry.

The next part is up to you. If you feel like the dog is dry enough, then you can let them take off. However, if you feel that they need to be dried off more, you may use a hairdryer on the lowest setting.  

However, that may not be the right option for every Goldendoodle because the sound does startle some. 

Remember to never do any grooming to the Goldendoodle while their fur is still wet. Their curls will look shorter when they’re wet, so always wait until they are fully dry if you want to do any extra trimming. 

If you didn’t use cotton to block the water from your dog’s ears, then make sure to thoroughly clean out their ears after the bath. This is crucial because any extra water build-up in their ears could lead to an ear infection. 

Final Thoughts

If you don’t have time to make it to the groomers, you can still get your Goldendoodle nice and clean at home. Keep your pet smelling and looking good with their monthly bath.

Bathing a Goldendoodle isn’t time consuming or expensive, and there’s a good chance that you might have everything you need already to get the job done.

Does your Goldendoodle do well in the bath? If they are well behaved, and you would like to give their skin and coat a little more moisture, a mild conditioner or cream rinse is optional.