i have a doodle

congratulations!

Doodles are wonderful pets to own! They are great family dogs, companions, smart and highly trainable, and let’s face it….SO STINKING CUTE!

Doodles also require extra grooming because of their wiry/curly/wavy coats.

Here are some tips and info we’ve put together for y’all to get a general idea of at home grooming you should keep in mind with your cute fur babies:

Most doodles require daily maintenance of their coats. Even when they are cut short. Our shop’s general rule of thumb is to brush your dog 1 time a day per inch of length you’d like to keep your pup. So if you want 3” of hair on that baby, brush 3 times a day. I know this can seem very overwhelming but you can also divide your dog in to sections. Maybe Mondays, you brush the head and face, Tuesdays, all legs, etc. and of course if you have other members of your household, have them lend a hand. Doodles all tend to mat in very similar locations….The underarms, feet, neck and back of back legs. So keep special attention on these areas and you’ll never have to worry about matting. Matting also thrives on damp fur. If your pup goes swimming, takes a bath or is caught in the rain, make sure to brush them out real well once they are fully dry to keep those mats from starting. Besides your pup’s well-being, we are here to help educate you, the owner. If you need a lesson on how to brush and which brush to use, just ask, we would LOVE to show you. Knowledge is power.

Doodle fur/hair (er, most dog fur) actually acts as insulation. Don’t think of it as your pet wearing a sweater, think of it like a brick home….It keeps you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. “But my dog is so hot!” Cutting them short will not make them cooler it will just make their coat easier to maintain. Also, dog’s skin is incredibly thin and sensitive. Which of course is why they have plenty of fur to cover and protect it. Cutting your dog’s fur short, leaves their skin vulnerable to the elements and in summer months can cause serious sun damage, especially to those super pink, fair skins. Sunburn on a dog is incredibly uncomfortable, and like humans, they can develop skin cancers from it. For these reasons, our shop’s stance is to never trim your dog’s coat shorter than we believe will effect their health. I know this might seem insensitive to the owner’s wishes, but dog’s health and safety come first to us.

Doodles DO shed. All dogs do. Some more than others and like humans, most shedding is good for their skin and coat. **Obviously if there is excess hair loss, please consult your veterinarian. Brushing daily will help loosen these hairs, move the healthy oils around and also keep dirt at bay. Brushing is also the BEST way to keep mats from starting. Once you notice that your dog is starting to mat, bring them into see us! You do NOT want this to get worse. Brushing mats is painful and usually pretty unsuccessful, so when this happens, take a deep breath and know that even if your dog has to be shaved down, it will grow back and you can get back on your brushing cycle. Keep harnesses and collars off your pups as much as you can especially when brushing. On a side note, if someone dog sits for you, a friend, a boarding facility, please ask them to brush your dog for you! It is important and most people are generally willing to help, especially if they know it’s for the well-being of your best friend. (Plus this will keep you from having to blame someone else for your dog’s matting issues…)

Plan for MONTHLY grooming of your doodle (with a professional!). Again, I’m sure that sounds really overwhelming, but if you can get your pup on a maintenance schedule for their coats, you will be set for life. Think of how happy you’ll be! Think of how happy your pup will be!