Grooming Care
How To Keep Your Dog's Coat in Tip Top Shape
We will explain different types of coats and what supplies you will need for an overall grooming session at home.
Doodles Need Regular Grooming
Doodles are NOT a wash and dry dog. They have hair like you have. Even you brush your hair every day. But even with you brushing and combing at home, your puppy will still need a regular grooming every 6-8 weeks. This is to get them used to the groomer and the groomer will do things you don't do. Bath, dry, and of course, trim sanitary areas. Both of their private areas will need to be kept short to prevent poo being stuck or having smelly urine stains.
No matter what a groomer, your friend and family will say, your doodle will definitely need regular grooming care. You should start sending your puppy, once fully vaccinated, to a groomer for small things like clipping nails, a bath, a blowout, sanitary groom, just small things. Puppies do not need a huge cut at this point.
As it grows, it will need regular grooming care every 6-8 weeks in addition to being brushed three times a week.
It just takes a simple comb and brush to ensure there's no mats in your dog. You need to first comb the coat to find any mats. If you do find one, brush it out. If it's too tangled, use Cowboy Magic or Corn Starch. You have to do it at least three times a week. You also have to clip the nails and clean ears if needed.
If you have not been grooming at home, you probably have a very matted puppy. This is incredibly painful for your puppy. The entire coat on the puppy can become one piece of mat. I wish I was kidding. I am not. It will tear the puppy's skin, causing bruising and infections. This is what you want to prevent at all cost.
If your puppy's coat becomes entirely matted, it would mean that your groomer will have to shave all of it off to reduce the pain. It's way too painful for a groomer to try to brush through all of the mat. Shaving down is more humane and less painful for the dog.
This is the reality of owning a Doodle.
The Wool Coat
Coco has a beautiful curly coat. The Wool coat is most similar to a Poodle's coat. It can be in soft curls or tight curls. This coat will require regular grooming and combing. This coat is low to no shedding.
The Fleece Coat
Teddy has a gorgeous fleece coat. The fleece coat can be soft spiraling curls or long and wavy. This coat will require regular grooming and brushing. This coat is low to medium shedding.
The Improper Coat
Alice has an IC Coat aka Improper Coat. This means that genetically she received a coat that is more similar to the Labrador opposed to the Poodle. You can see it's mostly smooth on her face and body. This coat can be medium to high shedding. But it's very low maintenance when it comes to grooming.
Your Grooming Shopping List
Chris Christensen Slicker Brush
This is one of the best grooming brushes to help detangle mats for doodles. The Big G or Big K are strongly recommended.
Stypic Powder
If you accidentally cut the nail too short and it bleeds, this will help stem the bleed.
Zytoc Otic Ear Cleaning Solution
If your dog's ears needs cleaning, this is the best ear cleaning solution to use.
Ear Powder
If your dog's ears tend to be wet or damp, this will keep it dry to prevent ear infections.
Pet Hair Dryer
After baths, or being in the rain, or having snowballs stuck to your dog's fur, this will help dry the wet off. You cannot leave your dog damp which will create mats.