Caring for the Coat

The first thing you should know about caring for the coat is; it’s best to put your doodle up on a table, if you can get a grooming table that is best. Keeping them off the floor will help in controlling that wiggling dog. You must remember that this is not “play time,” that this is “groom time.” They do eventually learn this, through consistency.

Next would be, if you are working on an area that is taking a long time and your doodle is starting to get agitated, try going to a different place to work. Sometimes that seems to help. With puppies, their attention span is short, so keep the brushing to a limit but it is essential that you brush/comb often, so they become acquainted with the routine. Give them a toy for chewing on, just don’t let them chew on you, and try touching their paws, all four of them. The front ones seem to be more sensitive then the backs. Getting your doodle accustomed to touching their paws is so important for the groomer or whoever is trimming their nails. Hold the paw in your hand, your puppy/adult will try to pull away, keep holding the paw until he/she stops pulling and relaxes, then let go and praise. If you do let go then, they won and will always try to pull away. It then becomes a battle you don’t want!

As I stated in the “Coat Change,” brushing/combing is done by taking little sections at a time; using the brush or comb, and stroke a little bit at a time, till you reach the skin, and then brush outward. The mats are usually hiding under the longer hair. Most people neglect this area, and concentrate on getting the outer hair mat-free to the eye, while the inside is all tangled-up, hidden underneath.

Brush:

My favorite brush is Les Poochs, purple or lime green.

Tackling the mats:

The best way to tackle the mats is using powder directly on the knot, it makes it easier to comb thru. Splitting the mats apart is next. If the mat is large, try using a scissor to cut thru the knot keeping parallel to the skin. Smaller knots are easier to get through, than one large one. A note; when cutting the knot, cut in the same direction as the hair is flowing. For example: the top of the back is straight back, sides are flowing downward.

Using the Matbreaker:

This tool is used to help break apart the mat. The curved inside edge is sharp, so when you use this tool you scoop out the knot but, don’t touch the skin when making small quick scoops. Powder should be used with this. After a few swipes, you then use your comb to pull out the mat.

If your doodle tolerated all your hard work…Praise…praise...praise... Nipping should never be allowed during any grooming. Try to make it as pleasant as you can, I like to give a little massage in the beginning, middle and end. Treats are a nice reward at the end, too.

Matbreaker

Oster Coarse comb: I use this when I start

Fine edge

Medium/coarse: these are good after the knots are gone