Advice On Shaving Your Golden Retriever
posted on 06/30/2009
The number 1 thing never to do.... DO NOT TAKE THE CLIPPERS BLADE DIRECTLY TO YOUR DOG! This is not like shaving your kids hair, but much harder, as they like to squirm and typically do not like certain areas cut. The skinnier your dog, the easier it is to shave them, but this article is specifically about Golden Retrievers (who typically are overweight anyways). You can apply this to other dogs if you would like, but I am speaking from personal experience from my dogs.
The first thing I suggest is to take your dog to a groomer. This can cost anywhere from $10-50 a dog. But, if you don't want to pay, or you don't have one accessible, the following guide will help!
1st step: Make sure you have all materials. You are going to need typical bathing supplies for your dog (to get all the dirt and grim that clumps the hair together).
Hair Clipper (with varying tips)
Choke chain (with leash)
Something to tie the leash to (something above the dog is recommended.)
Some treats for your dog (optional)
2nd step: wash down your dog, and make him nice and clean. Dry him down there, or let him air dry until he is done dripping.
3rd step: choke chain your dog, and tie the leash to something above him (a basketball hoop lowered to its lowest point works if you have one, just an idea) This keeps your dog from trying to run off with a halfway done job. Also reduces squirming.
4th step: Depending on what type of hair your dog has (curly or straight, I have both) will be how you approach this. As I said in the beginning, DO NOT CUT WITH THE STRAIGHT RAZOR PART OF THE CLIPPERS! My father tried cutting the dogs hair for once, and he cut the hair too short, and ended up nicking the dog a few times. The poor dog looked horrible!
A: If your dog has curly hair, start with a shorter extension, and start from the rear of the dog, and work your way up to the head. DO NOT shave the tail for the head itself, leave those be. Work your way down to the desired dog hair length. Start from the top of the dog, and work down it's side until you get underneath. You may choose what you want from there.
B: If the dog has straight hair, you may want to try starting from the bottom of the dog (whether you want to start by the head or the tail, it's up to you.) and work your way up to the top of the dog. I would suggest starting with a longer extension, and working your way down to a shorter one. Again, leave the dogs head and tail alone. I would suggest never to shave either. (and if you dare try the tail, use scissors, and work from the tip in.)
5th step: Step back and make sure you got everywhere on your dog. If you want, you can blow dry him off, or just let him play it off (if you let him indoors, I would suggest blowing him off!)
In my picture included, I have my straight hair dog (right), my very curly haired dog (middle) and my Australian shepherd mix breed (who wanted to be in the picture too, but has not been shaved) (left)
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Previous Comments
Bob_Loblaw says:
(255d 11h 34min ago)
Bob Loblaw wonders why you didn't shave their faces. Bob thinks that would be sweet.
SolidGoldYacht says:
(255d 11h 26min ago)
I'm not sure I understand why you need to shave your dog. Those two dogs in the picture look pretty unhappy.
disco243 says:
(251d 10h 47min ago)
They were much more unhappy with their 5 pounds of hair in 90 degree humid weather! They are very happy dogs now! (just had to wake them up to get a picture ;)
jtrombetti says:
(243d 15h 12min ago)
You shave your dog to keep them clean and cool in the summer and free of fleas any time of the year. Good article disco.