I BRUSH MY DOOD DAILY, WHY DO DOES HE STILL GET MATS?
Keeping your furry friends brushed is a lot harder than just running a quick brush over them, anyone with wavy, curly, or kinky hair knows how hard it is to keep that mess from tangling! With either human or dog you have to brush more than the top layer or that tangling turns into a matted mess that no groomer would be able to get rid of and then the worst news ever "We have to shave your dog" is heard. Usually groomers can try and salvage some of the doodle look but other times it's a straight shave and there is nothing to salvage and you lament over the way your puppy looks for weeks until the hair starts to grow again.
I HAVE A SLICKER BRUSH ALREADY, WHAT AM I MISSING?
Oh you will need more than just a slicker brush! I will link the items in this blog on what you will need:
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First apply a nickel sized amount into your hands and emulsify by rubbing your hands together, then rub it into your pups fur, less is always more in this instance, you don't want to grease you dog up with too much. After you have distributed the product, grab your slicker brush and systematically brush your dood's coat all the way through from the skin to the ends, lifting up the fur until you see the beginning of the hair on the body and brushing down, layer by layer. Brushing the top coat will not rid the knots and matting closer to the skin. This process will loosen dirt foreign objects in your pups coat and also stretch out that curl pattern a bit. Be very careful on the inside of the legs near the body, as well as around his ears, chin and beard area as these areas are tender and sensitive and easy to nick while brushing.
Once you have brushed out your pup with the slicker, grab that steel grooming comb and check your work, if you can't get the comb through the fur you are still matted up. For those nasty knots that just won't budge there is a dematting comb you can utilize for those hard ares, but this is not meant to be used over the entire body.
DO I BATHE THEN BRUSH, OR BRUSH THEN BATHE?
Do not bathe and then brush, water will only make those mats and knots tighten up and be even more painful to get out of your doodle. First thoroughly brush your pup using the method above and then bathe your furry friend, followed up by the slicker brush to get any of those last minute knots that formed during wash time out. Here are some of our recommended products for bath time if you insist on doing it yourself.
HUMANITY OVER VANITY
In the end if your dood's matts get out of control and your groomer tells you it is in the best interest of the dog to be shaved and have a fresh start, it would be much better to do that, than to force your pup to sit and have hair ripped out and pulled and go through a painful grooming experience where he will likely be traumatized from and you will battle that for a very long time. Doodles are amazing dogs, but the longer styled hair does require a lot of time and upkeep so you need to be honest with yourself if that look is worth your time and effort.
We hope this was helpful to you! If you want to see more of our articles check our our blog on our website www.doodleselite.com
Below is linked a video showing you how to groom your doodle, we have found this very well done and think that it would benefit any doodle owner.