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Sound familiar? You just finished giving your Golden Retriever a bath, but before you could manage to dry him off, he did a quick shake and ran to the nearest carpet, area rug, or soft piece of furniture to dry off on!
Drying a Golden Retriever at home can be a challenge! Their long thick fur is difficult to manage, takes forever to dry, and they shake water everywhere!
That’s why knowing the best methods for drying your Golden Retriever at home will come in handy!
In this article, we’ll explore the top 3 methods for drying your dog, and provide tips on how to make the process easier and more effective.
Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
What Are The Best Methods For Drying A Golden Retriever At Home?
The 3 best methods for drying a Golden Retriever at home are towel drying, blow drying, or using a quick dry spray. Towel drying is the easiest and most convenient, and involves using a highly absorbent towel such as microfiber. Blow drying with a high-velocity pet dryer is the most effective, as it quickly gets your dog’s coat dry. A human hairdryer can be used as well, but only on a low setting! A quick dry spray can be used after towel drying, to speed up your dog’s drying time. Each method has its pros and cons.
1. Towel Drying: How To Do It Effectively And Efficiently
Towel drying is an easy and convenient way to get your Golden Retriever somewhat dry.
Speaking from experience, you’re going to need at least 3-4 towels on hand to dry your dog after a bath.
I like to lay one towel on the bathroom floor, have one towel ready for immediate drying after the bath, and 2 more towels on the bedroom floor just outside the bathroom.
By laying towels on the floor, you will minimize the water that ends up on your flooring, and hopefully, your dog is like mine and rubs himself dry on the towels instead of your carpet.
Does it matter what towel you use for drying your dog?
No, any towel you use will get rid of excess moisture from your pup’s coat. But, regular bath towels quickly get soaked, and you’ll need a few of them!
Microfiber towels are going to do a better job of drying your Golden, as compared to regular bath towels.
But, if you’re looking for the most effective way to towel dry your Golden, it’s going to be with a super absorbent towel that’s specifically designed for dog drying!
The Absorber Towel is basically a sham wow for dogs!
It’s thinner and smoother in texture than a regular towel and soaks up water like a sponge. You simply wring it out and keep drying your dog. Plus, it saves you from needing multiple bath towels!
The Proper Way To Towel Dry Your Dog
Did you know there’s a proper way to dry your dog with a towel? Chances are you’re probably doing it wrong, just like I was!
The right way is by gently pressing the towel into your dog’s fur to soak up the moisture and repeat the process until your dog is sufficiently dry.
Most people vigorously dry their dog with a towel, which can lead to frizzy hair, tangles, and mats.
2. Blow Drying: When And How To Use It Without Harming Your Dog
Blow drying is going to be the best method for getting your Golden Retriever’s coat dry quickly and thoroughly.
Towel drying alone will not get your Golden completely dry, and areas that are left damp can lead to hot spots.
Blow drying is an important step to effectively get your dog dry, especially if you bathe your dog when it’s cold outside or you simply want to prevent any hot spots from forming.
You can use a hairdryer that you have at home or a high-velocity dog dryer. Regardless of which blow dryer you use, you will need to use caution.
Human Hairdryer
Using a human hairdryer can be an option to dry your Golden Retriever if you don’t have a specific dog dryer available.
Be sure to follow these safety precautions:
- Use the lowest heat setting, or cool setting, to prevent overheating & burning your dog’s skin.
- Keep the hairdryer nozzle at a safe distance (a few inches) away from your dog’s coat.
- Blow in the direction of hair growth.
- Keep the hairdryer moving so that the heat is not concentrated in one spot.
- Keep the hairdryer away from your dog’s face, and other sensitive areas.
Introducing your dog to the hairdryer should be done gradually, this way your dog gets used to the noise and feeling of air blowing on his fur.
If your dog shows any signs of discomfort, stop blow drying, take a break, and try again.
Keep in mind that some dogs may never get used to the blow dryer, and will run away or put up a fight.
Many groomers and owners use a Happy Hoodie, which is basically a snug wrap that goes around your dog’s ears. It reduces the noise from the blow dryer and works as a calming aid to reduce stress and anxiety.
High-Velocity Dog Dryer
HIgh-velocity dog dryers are more efficient and effective at drying your dog’s coat.
These dryers are typically more powerful and have different settings that allow you to control the temperature and airflow.
They’re great for drying thick-coated breeds like Golden Retrievers, as they can quickly remove moisture.
Not sure which high-velocity dryer is best for Golden Retrievers? Check out my list of the 5 best!
Just as with any hairdryer, you’ll want to follow these safety precautions:
- Start with the lowest setting, then gradually increase the speed to avoid frightening your dog.
- Keep the nozzle at a safe distance from your dog’s coat.
- Use sweeping motions to keep the airflow moving and to avoid heat being concentrated in one spot.
- Avoid blowing air in your dog’s face, ears, and other sensitive areas.
- Use the dryer in a well-ventilated area, to avoid hair and dander buildup in the air.
- Monitor your dog for any signs of discomfort or stress, and take breaks or stop when your dog is uncomfortable.
Don’t Forget About Drying Your Dog’s Head!
It’s important to get your dog’s head dry as well, especially the hair behind the ears, as that’s where mats and tangles tend to form.
This short video offers some helpful tips:
3. Quick Dry Sprays: Understanding What They Are And How They Work On Your Dog’s Coat
Have you heard of quick-dry sprays for dogs? I haven’t until I did some research on them, apparently, they claim to speed up your dog’s drying time.
Quick dry sprays are designed with ingredients that help absorb water and speed up evaporation, reducing the time it takes for your dog’s coat to dry.
These sprays are easy and convenient to use and can be sprayed directly on your dog’s coat after a bath.
However, there are mixed reviews about them. Some owners found that they really helped to cut down the drying time, while others said they noticed no difference.
If you’re going to use a quick-dry spray, you may have to experiment with how much product you use, as that could make a difference.
Just be sure to follow the directions and avoid spraying your dog’s face or sensitive areas.