Well, you can thin her coat down with a Furminator or undercoat rake. That will take out most of the soft insulating undercoat that is making her hot. I am not against haircuts either, but DON'T shave her down to the skin, the hair will not look right when it grows back in! Our Aussies (similar coat to a Golden) get trims in the summer and I'm sure it helps them.

We also make sure they always have a cool place to rest and plenty of water to drink.

When you go on walks, make sure you only go when the temp is moderate, early morning or late evening. I've heard good things about products like the Kool Kollar that you put ice in, or just soak a bandanna in ice water and tie it around her neck.

Maggie answered on 5/29/11. Helpful? / 0

Deogie gets the Furminator treatment at his groomers during his heavy shed period, then it's brush brush brush everyday.
Deogie hates the water, we tried a kiddie pool but he only used it as a drinking bowl. During the day, before and after walks we hose his feet and legs down.
Walks are early morning and late evening, it sucks taking him out when it's almost dark but it's better for him. I bought him a flashing light for his collar and I carry a flashlight, so people can see us easily. Days he can be found in the A/C. Our house is so cool for Deogie, I need heavy clothes to keep warm.
I put frozen ice blocks in Deogie's water, outside and in. I fill margarine containers, freeze them and put in his water bowl when needed. If Ginger is a gulper I wouldn't recommend ice water or after exercise.
I bought cooling rags from the hardware store. He's big so I tied 2 together. Keep in the frig until needed.
Have a great and safe summer.

♥ DEOGIE ♥ answered on 5/30/11. Helpful? / 0

AIR CONDITIONING! LOL. Treader loves to run loose outside, but if it's really hot outside he comes back within a few minutes.

But we also make sure that he has plenty of water, dogs will need it more during the summer. Brushing can be helpful, too, by removing shedded fur.
If dogs like playing in a wading pool or chasing water hose spray (Treader doesn't, but my other dog that died earlier this year used to love the water hose thing), that's good, too.

Even though Treader has a long coat, we don't shave it. The fur actually can trap cooler air under itself. And I seem to remember reading somewhere that shaving a dog can result in a sunburn.

Gray Dawn Treader answered on 5/30/11. Helpful? / 0

I've shaved my dogs down many times before and their coat always grows back the same. I've seen many, many Golden Retriever's shaved down before and their hair grows back the same as it was. I know of Golden Retriever rescues that shave down their Golden's. It's fine to shave down your dog, it's great for the Summer time too. It keeps my dogs very cool. Be sure to get a good groomer. She'll feel a whole lot better and look a whole lot better if she's shaved down.

Does she have a dog house outside? If she doesn't, get her a dog house and put towels in it.

Kiddie pools are great for keeping a dog cool! Put ice cubes in the kiddie pool too. Some dogs will lay down in the water.

Provide ice, cold water for her at all times. Be sure that there's shade outside for her. Brush her everyday with the FURminator too. I use the FURminator also and it works great.

My dogs love to lay on the cool tile floor inside the house.

Good luck!

Howard answered on 6/1/11. Helpful? / 0