Do Goldendoodles Need Conditioner?

Each type of dog has different needs when it comes to general care and wellbeing. Goldendoodles are a beautiful blend of golden retrievers and poodles, so their needs are drawn from their forebearers. When it comes to bathing, there are several things you need to keep in mind regarding Goldendoodles.

Goldendoodles tend to have sensitive skin, so using a conditioner on their fur is helpful, but not necessary. Owners should use mild human shampoos, such as tear-free baby shampoo or a 2-in-1 baby shampoo and conditioner to clean their Goldendoodles. Regular dog shampoos are not recommended.

Conditioner is just one part of keeping your furry friend happy and healthy and clean. Below, we’ll go into greater detail about what types of shampoo and conditioner are best for your Goldendoodle.

Which Shampoos and Conditioners Are Best for Goldendoodles?

The luxurious curly fur of the Goldendoodle makes them susceptible to skin irritation, collecting dirt, and fleas. You’ll want to keep this in mind as you groom them. You should aim for shampooing your dog’s fur once or twice a month (source). You want to do it just enough to keep those curls soft without drying out their skin.

While it is not specifically recommended that Goldendoodle’s receive conditioner, it isn’t a bad idea. 2-in-1 tear-free baby shampoo and conditioner works perfectly because it is gentle on the skin. We recommend using these types of human shampoos over dog shampoos for your Goldendoodle so you don’t dry out their skin.

We should note that only baby shampoos are safe for dogs. Do not use any other type of human shampoo.

Another option to use on your Goldendoodle is dog 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner. Buddy’s Best, Natural Dog Shampoo and Conditioner is a good brand, as well as K9 Pro Oatmeal Dog Shampoo and Conditioner. These both come from a list of best shampoos for Goldendoodles by We Love Doodles.

There are lots of things to consider when buying shampoo and conditioner for your doodle. You’ll want something that is going to smell nice, not irritate their sensitive skin, and, of course, get your dog good and clean. Here are some things to keep in mind when selecting shampoo and conditioner:

• Strength: Goldendoodles have thick, curly coats. Dirt, grime, and bugs can get caught in the fluff and hang on. When you clean your dog, the shampoo you should buy needs to be able to penetrate the thick fur so that you’re cleaning the skin not just the outer layer of fur.
• Gentleness: Your Goldendoodle has extremely sensitive skin. Whatever shampoo/conditioner you buy, it should be gentle enough to not dry out or irritate their skin.
• Ingredients: Some soothing ingredients to search for include oatmeal, aloe vera, coconut oil, and lavendar. If a shampoo has these ingredients in it, it will probably be soothing and moisturizing. However, if it has parabens, sulfates, or artificial flavors, it probably won’t treat your Goldendoodle’s skin very nicely.

How to Properly Bathe Your Goldendoodle

Once you have the right shampoo and conditioner, you can begin washing your Goldendoodle. A standard bathtub or shower will work just fine, though it might be helpful to have a place where you can stand while you wash your dog (source), and a long shower hose makes the job much easier.

1. The first thing you should do is give your Goldendoodle a good brushing. This will cut through any snarls and dislodge clumps of dirt and other debris which will make the fur much silkier after washing.
2. Once you can run your hand smoothly through your dog’s fur, sit them in the bathtub and use the shower hose to rinse them down. Get their fur quite wet so shampoo can get nice and frothy.
3. Turn off the water and apply shampoo or shampoo/conditioner 2-in-1. Squirt a healthy amount on the dog’s spine from neck to tail.
4. Lather the shampoo. Be sure to work the suds into skin beneath the Goldendoodle’s thick fur to erradicate all the dirt and bugs that have been hiding in beneath the curls.
5. Rinse well. You should probably rinse several times just to be sure you’re getting all the shampoo off. If there’s any left over, it could dry and cause skin irritation.
6. Wash the face by applying small amount of shampoo on the muzzle and head. Use a toothbrush to lather the shampoo and be careful not to get it in the eyes, mouth, ears, or nose.
7. Rinse the face carefully. Again, avoid getting shampoo in sensitve areas like the eyes, mouth, and nose.
8. Apply conditioner as directed on the bottle (if you’re using shampoo and conditioner seperately). Be sure to rinse well once again.
9. Towel off your dog to soak up as much water as possible. Then let the Goldendoodle shake off the remaining water droplets. If it’s a colder day and air-drying isn’t possible, wrap a towl around your dog and clip it in place to dry them faster.
10. Once the coat is completely dry, finish off with a solid brushing. Work out any remaining kinks and snarls, and then enjoy the adorable fluffiness of a clean Goldendoodle coat.

How Often Should You Take Your Goldendoodle to Be Groomed?

Even with regular at-home shampooing, it’s important to take your dog to the groomer frequently for haircuts, nail-trimming, and the other nit-picky sides of dog hygiene. How often your dog needs professional grooming depends on how long you want your Goldendoodle’s hair to be.

Allison Camp, a professional groomer from Ohio, says, “Goldendoodles kept in clips with a longer hair length need professional grooming every 6-8 weeks. If you keep your Goldendoodle in a shorter clip, you can take her for grooming every 8-10 weeks,” (source). About 8 weeks or so is a good average amount of time your dog should go between groomings.

If you have a specific idea of what hairstyle you want your dog to have, be sure to bring a picture. This helps your groomer have a clear idea of what your expectations are, and therefore can more easily meet them. You should expect to pay between $50 and $80 per grooming appointment.