The LaundryMutt Family
The LaundryMutt Family

    Doodle Grooming Tips

 

 

TO BATHE OR NOT TO BATHE

 

It was once believed that doodles should be bathed only when dirty, but that was back when shampoos for doodles were much harsher than they are today.  Frequent bathing can improve coat condition and ease the concern of parents whose kids enjoy sleeping with their doodles.

 

COAT CARE-THIS BREED IS HIGH MAINTENANCE!

 

It is very important that your doodle be professionally groomed every 4-6 weeks.  The longer the coat the more often grooming is needed.  No one likes a dirty, matted, doodle.  It is uncomfortable for your doodle and worse on us.   If your doodle is not groomed regularly, it can become hard to work with.   Having your doodle professionally groomed does not mean that you do not need to brush daily!   Because doodles DO NOT SHED,  their undercoats will mat quickly.  it is the daily brushing that removed the dead undercoat thus effectively shedding the coat.  Your pup, if started young, will learn to love brushing and grooming if a gentle hand is used.   They tend to show off when well groomed.  You should start grooming your doodles at 12 weeks, please try to keep it up. 

Here is what one of the breeds founders has to say on the subject:

“All dogs go through a coat change from their puppy coat to their adult coat.   This change occurs at different ages from breed to breed and amongst individuals within a breed.    Ordinary dogs, which shed, lose a lot of their puppy coat by themselves, (usually all over your clothes and furniture!)  and unless there is a long period of neglect, do not mat.  Regular brushing  keeps this under control.

 

On the other hand, dogs which do not shed, have no way of ridding themselves of their puppy coat, to allow the adult coat to grow through.  This means that if the puppy coat is not stripped out with vigorous brushing using a good slicker brush,  Chris Christenson Slicker Brush (available at Noah’s Ark in Winnetka) thinning scissors, or razor comb, it will tangle with the new adult coat coming through from the follicle and this is what produces the matting.

 

The most common mistake made when grooming is to brush over the top but not get in underneath and close to the skin.  It can be quite a shock to discover that although your dog looks beautiful 'on top'  underneath there is a whole nest of matting  you haven't seen. 

Although it 'poofs' up and looks very fluffy, a light spraying with water will settle it right back down into its tendrils.    If you brush thoroughly first you will save us a lot of time and yourself a lot of money.  Your Doodle is also more likely to come back looking beautiful instead of shaved like a rabbit!  Always brush 'layer by layer'  don't just skim over the top with the brush.

Short coated dogs are brushed effectively by running the brush over the top of the coat.  But long coated dogs need to have their coats brushed layer - by - individual layer.  Mats begin at the skin, so even if the ends of the coat are brushed, this will not prevent mats from happening unless the underneath is brushed as well.  Brush against the lay of the coat first and then layer by layer in the direction it grows.  It's really very easy once you see how!   Please feel free to ask for a demonstration when you come into The LaundryMutt. Many owners are shocked when they part the coat to discover a lacework of mats which they think have appeared overnight.  They have actually been forming for quite some time, hidden away close to the skin where they can be missed if brushing doesn't open up the coat from the skin outwards.

Shedding coated dogs help the process by getting rid of a lot of their old coat which would otherwise matt and knot, but non shedding coated dogs need your help by stripping out old or damaged coat, especially during the change from puppy to adult coat which happens any time between ten and fourteen months of age.  How long this change lasts depends on how thoroughly the stripping and grooming is done, more than the frequency with which it is done.

 

 

EYE CARE-

Some doodles have weepy eyes, a poodle trait that almost all poodles have.   The weepy eyes are due to the tear ducts being too small to accommodate the tears the eye produces.  Cleaning is required to prevent fur staining and to keep odor down.  Cleaning also prevents eye infections like pink eye - conjunctivitis.  We recommend daily cleaning of the eyes with a warm wet cloth, or pet eye wipes.  there are lots of products out on the market that claim to reduce or eliminate the rust colored stains around the eyes.  I have yet to find one that works.  Many doodle breeders and owners swear that by feeding plain yogurt that these stains are lessened.  Most of the time it is the shaving of the face that removes the stains.  That is until the eye starts to weep again.  it seems to be an endless process. 

 

EAR CARE-

Ears need to be kept clean and free of hair.  If you detect foul odor from the ears this means TROUBLE!!!!  The hair needs to be plucked.  We pluck ears at The LaundryMutt after every other groom. Be sure to keep water out of the ears when bathing your pet.  If your doodle scratches its ears a lot and cries then you may have a problem. .

 

TEETH -

Gum disease is a problem in all doodles.  All doodles are susceptible to gingivitis just like people.  The gums become ulcerated and inflamed.  This causes the gums to recede, bacterial infection, and bad breath.  To prevent this it is important to give raw bones and toys for chewing (to aid in removing tarter build-up), and regular tooth brushing.  DO NOT use human tooth paste - this is not made to swallow.  Use only pet safe tooth paste.  You can find this at most stores that carry pet supplies (i.e. Noah’s Ark).  *REMEMBER* - The younger you start your puppy on a tooth brushing regime the easier it will be on both of you!

 

 

The LaundryMutt

729 Ridge Rd

Wilmette, IL 60091

 

PHONE: 847.256.8445

 

EMAIL: thelaundrymutt@gmail.com

 

SUN: CLOSED

MON: CLOSED

TUE-FRI 8:00 am until the last furry friend is done

SAT 10:00 am until the last furry friend is done

The LaundryMutt Jackson

P.O. Box 7413

Jackson, WY 83001

 

PHONE: 307.204.1312

 

EMAIL:

thelaundrymuttjackson@gmail.com

 

SUN: CLOSED

MON: CLOSED

TUE: 10-6*

WED: 10-6*

THU: 10- 6*

FRI: 10 - 6*

SAT: 10-6*

*or when last furry friend is done

Print | Sitemap
© The LaundryMutt