How to Groom a Goldendoodle? [5 Complete Steps]

Goldendoodles are tremendously friendly dogs, sociable, and intelligent in nature, they have grown to become an extremely popular choice for many families in recent years. 

However, before you jump into the amazing world of Goldendoodles, it’s essential that you understand all of their specific needs, and what’s required from you in order to keep the pup happy, and healthy. 

One of the most important steps you have to understand before owning a hybrid dog, is the fairly regular process of Goldendoodle grooming the animal, and all that’s required.  

LOW SHEDDING IS AWESOME! (But means more grooming)

The good news about Goldendoodles is that they are very low shedding doodle dogs, with that being said this means that they can require some extra care when it comes to doodle grooming. 

Although there is no such thing as a dog that is completely hypoallergenic, with this one’s poodle background, it’s about as close as they come. 

This makes this breed great for anyone with allergies, or anyone that hates cleaning up the messy hair scattered throughout their house. 

However, because Goldendoodles don’t shed, this means that you will have to take over the grooming duties, assuring that their hair doesn’t get tangled together, and neglected over time.

 If you aren’t taking the time (at least 3-4 times a week) to ensure that your dog’s hair is healthy and comfortable, then you will likely be paying a groomer to do it for you (which can become pricey).  

When it comes to the actual process of grooming a Goldendoodle, there are a variety of factors to consider in order to keep your pup happy, and healthy. The primary areas of focus in the process should be brushing, bathing, clipping, and trimming.    

Step ONE: BRUSHING  a Goldendoodle coat

First, it’s essential that you recognize the texture of the dog’s coat; is it wavy (fleece)? Is it curly (wool)? Or is it straight (hair)? Understanding the different types of fur is important because depending on the coat your dog has, you will most likely have to groom it differently.  

(This guide explains the three Goldendoodle coat types and how to tell even for a puppy which coat type they have).

For example, it is widely known to do “light-grooming” at least 3-4 times a week regardless of the coat, however if your Goldendoodle has a curvy or wavy coat, this will have to be done even more frequently. Essentially, the curlier the coat, the more work that is required to groom it. 

Most of this work can be accomplished yourself with a few handy grooming tools. If this does not suit you – it is advised that you take a trip to a professional groomer every 6 weeks.

This way you can have peace of mind knowing that a professional is taking good care of your pup, removing any tricky tangles, clipping and bathing them as well. 

Not to mention that they can help to provide any tips or recommendations along the way, to help keep your doggo satisfied.  

If you do decide to reach out to a groomer, it would be wise to establish a relationship between the pup and groomer early on, as opposed to later in the dog’s life. 

By introducing the Goldendoodle to the professional groomer at a young age, it will allow them to gain confidence, and feel more comfortable with that person, hopefully making future trips a little less painful for everyone.   

Step TWO: BATHING

Outside of simply brushing your dog, it’s paramount that you give them a thorough bath at least once a month to help remove any mud, dirt, or any other “unwanted” substances. With that being said, do not bath them any more frequently than this. 

Many people think it’s best to try and clean your dog as much as possible, but what they don’t realize is that by doing this your dog is likely to develop dry skin, and irritation over time. 

When it comes to the actual bathing process, the good news is that Goldendoodles LOVE the outdoors, and LOVE to swim. Their fun-loving nature is part of what make them such an amazing breed, however because they spend so much time outside, they are more prone to track dirt, mud, and who knows what else in throughout your house. 

Although, the flipside to this is that because they love the water so much, it should make the bathing process a little easier to handle compared to some other breeds.  

The best Goldendoodle shampoo is X. We rate the top 5 in this article here. All are natural and pass the sniff and touch test.

How frequently do you bathe a Goldendoodle

The amount to which they will need to be bathed will depend entirely on how much dirt, and grime they manage to acquire on a day-to-day basis. However, giving your Goldendoodle a bath every 2-4 weeks is recommended by most professionals.  

Here are a few steps to consider when giving your Goldendoodle a bath:  

BRUSH – Before giving your dog a bath, you should just quickly go over the dog’s coat with a light brush to remove any unwanted hair, or debris.  

SHAMPOO – You should look to buy a shampoo that is specifically formulated to help with your dog’s curls or waves (assuming they have any). Ultimately, the most important point here that you take into account is your dog’s coat, as well as their specific needs (if any), when deciding which shampoo to go with.  

THOROUGH CLEAN – When you are actually going through the bathing process, make sure you pay extra close attention to their ears, as they can be quite sensitive, get tangled up easily, and (if left wet) can even become infected. Aside from that, just make sure you cover the entire body, and give your dog a thorough rinse.    

DRY & BRUSH – After you’ve finished drying your dog, grab the brush again and brush out any tangles, or knots that are left over. 

As long as you follow these simple steps, you should have no problems moving forward keeping your furry friend fresh, and clean!

Step 3-4-5 – CLIPPING, SHAVING and TRIMMING a Goldendoodle

How to Groom a Goldendoodle’s Nails

When it comes to clipping your dog’s nails, it can certainly be a daunting task to many, whether experienced or not.

However, clipping your dog’s nails is an essential part of the process because if they are left neglected it can cause serious pain, and discomfort.

This should be done after you have trimmed the fur around your dog’s feet, and should be completely regularly (even more so if it’s always walking on soft surfaces that won’t wear down their nails). 

When clipping the nail, hold the dog still, and try not to cut off very much because there are blood vessels inside the nail which can seriously hurt the dog if clipped. 

Electric nail clippers can eliminate some of the risk.

Steps to Cleaning Goldendoodle EARS

When trimming areas of the body, one spot you should focus especially on are the dog’s ears. 

Typically, the fur on the outside of the ear is trimmed to about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in length, and the fur on the inside of the ear is trimmed to a short enough length where the fur won’t cover the entrance to the ears. 

By keeping the inside fur short, this will help to improve your pups’ hearing, as well as the air circulation in the ear (which can help prevent ear infections).

Be careful however when trimming the inside of the ear, you never want to put the clippers actually inside the dog’s ear as you can accidently injure them. 

Instead, you should try to trim away from the ear canal, and in general just be cautious when trimming in that area.  

Grooming a Goldendoodle EYES/FACE

One area that can sometimes get neglected by owners are the eyes, as many people don’t truly realize just how much it can affect their dog’s vision, and general comfort. 

Use clippers to trim around the eyes, make sure your dog is calm as to prevent any sudden movements which could result in injury.

 Aside from the fur in front of the eyes, keep an eye on their muzzle as well, as they can get thick and puffy very easily. The side of the muzzle should be focused on more than the top and bottom (so that it doesn’t get into the dog’s mouth).  

Poodle eye (or dog eye boogers) commonly effect Goldendoodles even with frequent grooming.

How to groom Goldendoodle PAWS 

For the most part, the fur on the feet are shorter than the fur on the rest of their body. 

By trimming the fur on the feet of your dog, it will not only make it more comfortable for them, but It will be a much cleaner look as well.

When trimming between the dog’s feet, one area that often gets left behind are the toes, however by being negligent to this area it can cause serious pain, and discomfort for the animal.  

Unkempt Goldendoodle paws are the number one cause of a Goldendoodle that is always licking its paws.

Best GROOMING TOOLS for Goldendoodles Round Up

Now that we have gone over the importance, as well as the process of brushing, bathing, clipping, and trimming your Goldendoodle, you are probably wondering what equipment you will need to get started. 

Below we will list some of the best options to help get you started in the grooming process.  

Dog Clippers – debatably the most important tool on this list, investing in a good-quality pair of clippers is essential in allowing you to have full control over your dog’s coat. 

• They allow you to get close, and gently/smoothly cut away any unnecessary hair. The most important factor to consider is the thickness of your Goldendoodle’s coat, if your dog has a thick coat it will probably need a stronger, more durable pair of clippers. 
• Here is the definitive guide to Goldendoodle dog clippers

Slicker Brush – These brushes are designed specifically to gently work through any mattes or tangles your dog may have. They are uniquely built to handle curly or long coats that have a greater chance of matting or tangling.

• Here you will find the best dog brushes for Goldendoodles reviewed
• Or just click here to buy the best slicker brush for Goldendoodle coats after thousands of reviews

Nail Clippers – Often times overlooked, and treated like a chore, but clipping every dog’s nail is a very important part of the process. 

• The most important point here is that you buy a good-quality pair of clippers, and are careful when going about it, if you are not careful you can cause serious pain towards the animal.    
• Nail clippers for Goldendoodle are covered in this guide to cutting Goldendoodle nails

Steel Comb – If the brush doesn’t do the trick, then the steel comb definitely will.  A far more durable option to get out any trick tangles, mats, loose hair, and/or dirt.  

Scissors – Grooming scissors are a fantastic option, and necessary to clean up your pup’s coat, and rid it of any excessively long hair. As well as for any remaining hair left over that you maybe weren’t able to brush out.  

Thinning shears – Thinning shears are a very handy product to have, as they are specifically designed to remove small amounts of hair with each cut, creating a far more precise, natural cut. 

Shampoo & Conditioner – Another very important purchase, choosing the right shampoo/conditioner is essential for any dog, as to allow for a healthy coat. 

• You should strongly consider which shampoos/conditioners are better for your dog’s skin, or fur type, than others. 
• As purchasing a product without knowing how your dog is going to react to it, will likely result in an unpleasant situation. 

Detangler – Another strong recommendation is to buy a detangling spray, or comb to help prevent hair breakage, and minimize static. 

• Generally, it’s a simple leave-in conditioner that will help lubricate, and soften the hair.  
• You can DIY make a detangling spray yourself

Towels

A Leash (or something to keep your dog still)

• Goldendoodle can also use at-home grooming tables for complete safety and comfort

CONCLUSION

Whether you choose to take your Goldendoodle to a professional groomer for that perfect doodle dog haircut, or take care of business at home, the most important thing is that you are careful, consistent and cautious in your approach (and use plenty of treats).

There is a lot to consider, and a lot that can go wrong if left neglected, or if not cared for properly. Be careful of what you are buying, where you are buying it from, and what (if any) specific health complications your dog may have.  

Grooming your doodle coat is an essential part of being a pet-owner, but at the same time it is not something that should be rushed, or idly approached. 

However, as long as you show great love, and appreciation to your doodle, always giving it positive reinforcement throughout the process, you should have no problems moving forward.