Grooming the Labradoodle, Goldendoodle & Aussiedoodle

It is very important that your Doodle be professionally groomed every couple months. 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 for your groomers.

If your Doodle is not groomed regularly, it can become hard to work with and your groomer will NOT be very happy to see you coming.

Because Doodles and Poodles do not shed or shed very little, their undercoat will mat quickly. 

 DOODLES PUPPY TO ADULT COAT AND MATTING

All dogs go through a coat change from their puppy coat to their adult coat. Ordinary dogs, which shed, lose a lot of their puppy coat by themselves, (usually all over your clothes and furniture!) BUT unless there’s a long period of neglect, they will NOT mat.

On the other hand, breeds of dogs that do NOT shed or shed very little like our Labradoodles,  Goldendoodles and Aussiedoodles or basically all Poodle hybrids. .. have no way of ridding themselves of their fluffy puppy coat, to allow the adult coat to grow through.

Which means that if the puppy coat is not stripped out with vigorous brushing using a good slicker brush, like the Chris Christensen Long Pin Slicker Brush along with thinning scissors, or a dematting comb.

The Doodle puppy coat/fluff will tangle together with the new adult coat coming through from the follicle and this is what produces the horrible matting and basically a Doodle disaster.

The most common mistake made when grooming a Doodle is to brush over the top of the coat 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 never knew existed. 

When the Doodle coat has been thoroughly brushed it ‘poofs’ up and looks very fluffy, a light spraying with water or detangle spray will settle it right back down into its pretty tendrils.

THE GROOMERS

If you brush your Doodle thoroughly before their grooming appointments you will save the groomer a lot of time and yourself a lot of money and possibly save your Doodle from being shaved to the skin.

Most groomers are very busy and honestly don’t get paid enough to spend the extra hours it would take brushing out your doodles matted mess and will go for the clippers rather then spend the time and we can’t blame them unless we’re paying them by the hour and very well. 

But,  if you regularly and properly brush out your puppies coat,  your Doodle is more likely to come back from the groomers looking beautiful instead of shaved like a greyhound!

Doodles coats grow very fast,  so don’t worry its not the end of the world if your Doodle comes home with a funky hair-do. Give it a few weeks and they’ll look much better and give it 8-12 wks and they’ll be ready to see the groomer again. 

DOODLE CLIPPING TIPS

Matting is also uncomfortable for your dog! The knots tug on their skin and can be painful. So once they’re badly matted.. the more humane thing to do is to shave them instead of try to demat them. 

If the coat is already matted, use a size 15 blade which will slide in underneath the mats.

If there are no mats, then groom thoroughly with a slicker brush and if there are no knots left, use a size 5 or a size 7 blade which will leave a soft fluffy coat with a little more length.

BRUSHING YOUR DOODLE

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 start at the skin. 

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!

Many owners are shocked when they part the coat to discover a lace work 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.

GROOMING YOUR LABRADOODLE INSTRUCTIONS

Click here to Download the Doodle-Do .PDF print out you can take with you to the Groomers OR you can read mote about it here – Doodle-Do Page

 

DOODLE TEAR STAINS

Some of the MINI Australian Labraoodles will have weepy eyes, a mini poodle trait. The weepy eyes are due to the tear ducts being too small to accommodate the tears the eye produces. There is a surgery that can correct this, but the cost is prohibitive. Most people learn to live with it.

The tears can stain the fur “pink or orange” around their eyes if your Doodle has a white or lite colored coat. Clean your Doodles eyes with a non-alchohal grooming or baby wipe or just warm water on a washcloth.  

TRIMMING YOUR DOODLE EYES

Labradoodle,  Goldendoodles and Aussiedoodle all need to have the fur around theirneyes trimmed on a regular basis so they can see and this is also something most owners can learn to do yourself. 

HOW TO TRIM THE EYES OF A DOODLE VIDEO

LABRADOODLE EYE ALLERGIES 

I reoccurring eye infections or red itchy eyes can be caused by environmental or food allergies.

Labradoodle Eye Allergy Symptoms

Here are some common symptoms:

• Dog eye discharge – runny, watery, translucent (if this discharge is pus-like, it is more likely an infection)
• Inflammation of the white part of the eye (conjunctivitis – could also be an infection)
• Inflammation of the eyelids
• Excessive tearing
• Squinting
• Sneezing combined with any of the above

5 Types of Dog Eye Discharge (and What They Mean)

LABRADOODLES WITH EYE INFECTIONS 

I personally recommend Terramycin eye ointment to treat eye infections. Terramycin can be ordered on Chewy.com.

Help fight eye infections caused by bacteria with Terramycin. This broad-spectrum antibiotic ointment is prescribed to help combat a variety of eye infections, including pink eye, inflamed cornea, corneal ulcer and inflammation of the eyelids. These infections can cause pain, irritation, irregular tear production, among other issues. This medication is applied topically for easy administration. Terramycin requires a prescription in the state of California.

LABRADOODLE EAR CARE

Doodles 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. Make sure your groomer cares for the ears properly. 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 have a problem. Either a yeast infection, a bacterial infection or mites. 

Before Ear Plucking on a Doodle where the hair hasnt been plucked in awhile…the hair can grow deep in the canal and mat together with the wax & discharge and can also collect moisture and yeast and ultimately cause an ear infection if not kept in check.

LABRADOODLE EAR INFECTIONS 

Doodle can get reoccurring ear infections especially if their ear hair is not plucked regularly,  like once a month,  allowing moisture to get trapped in their ear canal and causing yeast and bacteria to grow. 

I have listed the ear cleaner as well as the ear infection treatment I use and recommend below. 

ZYMOX EAR DROPS

Ear infections can also be caused by food allergies so if you’re plucking their ear hair but their still having troubles with ear infections try Zymox Ear Drops. I SWEAR by this over the counter ear infection treatment has worked better for my Poodles, Labradoodles and Aussiedoodles then most of the prescriptions medications I’ve gotten from the vet for my dogs ear infections.

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EAR MITES AND YOUR DOODLE

Always check the ears for Ticks and Mites. Ear mites are microscopic pests that take up residence in your Doodles ears. the ears become inflamed, sore, and itchy. You may see your Doodle shaking his head a lot as well as the scratching.

This problem is very easy to pass from one dog to another, but is also easy to clear up with insecticide ear drops. If unsure whether your Doodle has ear mites, check with your vet or groomer.

Ear mites can also be detected by swabbing the ear canal with a Q-tip (do not worry you cannot hit the ear drum) and then rubbing the swab on a piece of black paper,  the mites will appear as tiny white moving dots.

Do not panic! You can obtain ear mite drops on Amazon or any pet store. 

Eradimite Ear Mite Treatment 

This is one of the most reliable ear mite treatments I have found.  For an infestation apply 10 drops per ear once every 2 days for 7 days or until cleared up,  stop for 7 days and recheck and retreat if needed. For prevention and management apply once every 15 days. 

LABRADOODLE DENTAL CARE

Gum disease can be a problem in dogs. 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 feed your Doodle proper hard (not soft) Dog food, give toys for chewing (to aid in removing tarter build-up), and regular tooth brushing. We have found that the battery-powered tooth brushes for humans with soft to medium bristles work great on Doodles.

DO NOT use human tooth paste – this is not made to swallow. Use only Doodle tooth paste. You can find this at most store that carry pet supplies.

*REMEMBER* – The younger you start your puppy on a tooth brushing regime the easier it will be on both of you! 

Prosense Dog Toothbrush Set: Triple Toothbrush Value Pack, Dog & Cat Approved

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Tooth Paste for your Dog? YES!

SENTRY Petrodex Enzymatic Toothpaste for Dogs

• Helps control plaque
• Fights Bad Breath
• Poultry Flavor

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Greenie’s chews help keep your Doodles teeth sparkle and breathe fresh!

Greenies Dental Chews for Dogs, Regular, Pack of 27

(keeps their teeth clean, recommended for puppies 6 months plus)

 

DOODLE ANAL GLAND CARE

Excessive licking or dragging of the hindquarters is a sign that your Doodle’s anal glands are blocked and need to be expressed. Please make sure that your groomer empties the anal glands every grooming.

If not done the blockage can lead to infection. Larger Doodles usually can express their own anal glands and do not need to have this done.

This does not hurt your Doodle. but be sure to tell your groomer if your Doodle has had a problem with his anal glands in the past or if you have had your Doodles anal glands removed.

Dog Nail Care

Cutting your Doodles nails is very important. If the nails are not cut, they can grow and curl around into the pads of the feet causing pain and sores. It is also painful for your Doodle to walk like this.

Long toe nails can be caught in fences or in carpet. Please remember to tell your groomers if your Doodle has dew claws. These are thumb like nails higher up on the inside of the foot.

When clipping your Doodles nails,  make sure to. avoid cutting thwm to short and clipping the quick. If you do clip yhe wuick by accident they will bleed.  You can put some Kwik Stop Stypic Powder on the nail to stop the bleeding. 

Start clipping your Labradoodles nails young and playing with their paws so they’re used to it as adults and its not a huge ordeal evertime you need to cut their nails.  Try to make it a positive experience the first couple times especially, try just clipping the very tip of their nails to get your puppy used to the sensation.  

If your Doodle sounds like their tap dancing when they walk across hardwood floors,  it might be time for a nail trim. 

To Bathe or Not to Bathe

Never shampoo your dog when the coat is filthy, unless you want to felt the coat. Instead hose the dog down and then put the dog in its crate and wait for the mud to dry and drop off and then you can wash them. Keep hair under the ear-flaps (against the cheek) short.

Labradoodles, Aussiedoodles and Goldendoodles  do not require frequent bathing.

It was once believed that Dogs should be bathed only when dirty, but that was back when shampoos for Dogs were much harsher than they are today. If you use a gentle shampoo, a Dog can even be bathed weekly without drying out its coat.

Frequent bathing can improve coat condition and ease the concern of parents whose kids enjoy sleeping with their Doodles.

Brush your Doodle thoroughly before bathing to remove dead hair and mats that will otherwise tangle when wet. You can add cotton balls in their ears so water doesn’t get into them and cause an ear infection. 

A walk-in shower or shower hose is ideal for large and medium Doodles, but smaller Doodles or puppies can be bathed in a large sink. Bending over the tub can be backbreaking, but sometimes it is the only alternative if you don’t have a shower hose attachment.

Place your pup in the tub and wet them all the way down to the skin with warm water and then apply your shampoo. I like to use a gentile tear free shampoo.  I usually wash and rinse them twice. (It is very important to rinse out every bit of shampoos.) To help with combing them out.

Do not use bar soap on your dog!  However you can use Dawn Dish Soap to wash your puppy or adult dog!  Dawn is actually a great flea killer (but does not kill the eggs). 

Afterward, apply a small amount of conditioner and rinse well. Squeeze out as much water as you can.  

Brush your dog dry, and use a blow dryer set on warm, gentle setting to speed the process. Hold the dryer at least a foot away from your pup, moving it often so you do not burn their delicate skin,  continuously move the dryer around so it doesn’t get too hot in one spot. Keep him in a warm place until he is completely dry. Make sure to comb him again from root to tip once they’re completely dry. Allowing a Doodle to dry on their own without combing them out with an andis comb from root to tip can make them matts or make any matts they already have 10x worse and knot tighter. So if you dont plan on it.. don’t wash them at all and take them to a professional groomer instead.

Having the right TOOLS can make your life and the life of your puppy so much easier!!

Showering you Doodle..

Rinse Ace 3 Way Pet Shower Sprayer with 8 foot Hose

I could honestly NOT LIVE WITHOUT MY SHOWER HOSE ATTACHMENT when it comes time to washing my Doodles and Poodles!!!!

Check out the Rinse Ace 3 Way Faucet Sprayer on Amazon Prime!

Vet’s Best Allergy Itch Relief Shampoo for Dogs, 16-oz bottle

Compare Prices on Chewy.com 

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Tear Free Gentle Puppy Shampoo

• Cornflower and aloe
• Smells Fantastic, Great Price
• Gentle formula, no tears
• Great shampoo for first puppy baths
• Just Read the reviews on Amazon!

• Buy Wahl Puppy Shampoo on Amazon!

 

BRUSHING YOUR LABRADOODLE..

My #1 recommended grooming tool for Doodle owners is the…

The Chris Christensen Long Pin Slicker Brush

The Slicker Brush, steal Comb and a good Dematting tool are gonna be your “Doodles Coat Care Must Haves”…

This brush is considered the absolute best by every groomer and Doodle breeder/owner I’ve ever met (including me). The cost may deter you, especially when other slicker brushes are so much cheaper, but every part of this brush is designed to make grooming comfortable for your dog. I use this brush on every single dog in my pack without worrying about brush burn, and it’s also a miracle dematting tool. 

Buy The Chris Christensen Long Pin Slicker Brush on Amazon!

Get a Slicker Brush
You’ll need a good slicker brush. A slicker is simply a brush that’s dense with very thin (but strong) bendable pins. Having hundreds of pins close together works at separating hairs, which demats your dog as you brush.

Bendable and Smooth Pins
Higher end slicker brushes have very flexible and smooth pins. When you brush your dog the pins bend back, easing up on the applied pressure and stopping them from irritating your dogs skin.

Get a Handle on Things
The handle needs to be comfortable to hold. When you brush dogs for living like I do, it makes a BIG difference. Also you’ll need something that is durable and won’t break when it’s inevitably dropped.

Avoid Cheap Imitations
I know it’s tempting to try a cheap version, but it’s better in the long run to get a good brush. Why? Because the pins on cheap brushes will be stiff and sharp which hurts your dog, the handle will break, and the bristles will wear out in no time. You’ll actually save money buying one good brush over a dozen cheaply made ones.

Finishing
Make sure you dog is 100% mat free with a simple and very cheap tool. In comes the Greyhound Comb to save the day. Gently glide through their coat to “seek and destroy” any of those hidden mats the slicker couldn’t quite reach.

Andis Steel Grooming Comb

Andis Steel Grooming Comb – I call this my “seek and destroy” tool, I glide through their coat with the long pinned Andis comb to find any hidden mats. It’s perfect for finishing your dog and making sure they’re 100% clear and free of tangles.

Buy The Andis Steel Grooming Comb on Amazon! 

Dematting Combs! A MUST HAVE For Every DOODLE Owner!

Recommended Tool for ALL Doodle owners especially if you don’t wanna invest in the Chris Christensen Slicker Brush (which also doubles as a dematting tool!) 

GoPets Dematting Comb with 2 Sided Professional Grooming Rake

Buy the GoPets Dematting Comb on Amazon! 

MATS – The most common mistake made when grooming a Doodle or Poodle is to brush over the top but not get in underneath and close to the skin. It can be quite shocking to discover that although your dog looks beautiful ‘on top’ underneath there is a whole nest of matting you haven’t even noticed or you think isn’t that bad then you take them into the groomers for the first time and the groomer says…

“Sorry, we had no choice but to shave them to the skin because they had mats“.

Yep, so Goodbye to that cute Teddy Bear look for at least the next 2 months. Groomer already spend a good 2-4 hours on a regular groom and they will refuse to comb out mats by hand…. believe me they don’t get paid enough because this is a huge job even when the matts are not that bad so give your groomer a break and help them out.

You HAVE to keep on top of it yourself by using a slicker brush and dematting comb (when necessary). You can comb out their ears, tails, hips, bodies and feet etc…once a week and save them from being shaved with these 2 SIMPLE and EASY TOOLS!

This is not an abused Doodle off the street… just a Goldendoodle who probably wasn’t combed properly for the past few months. His owners probably couldn’t even tell he was matted this bad because they can hide it very well!!

Believe me I have blushed myself in a few groomers offices when I first started owning Doodles myself.

SO EMBARRASSING!!!!

AND I felt horrible for my dog! I just had no idea it could get so bad so fast!

You Wanna Save Your Doodles Cute Teddy Bear Face and Coat?

Buy a Slicker Brush and a Dematting comb!! And Brush Your Dog Regularly! 

• 

TROPICLEAN DEMATTING SPRAY

• Remove mats, tangles, undercoat, and loose hair from your pet’s coat
• No need to ever shave your pet again

Use the Tropiclean D-Mat brush out solution to cut your brushing time in half, while reviving damaged coats, restoring elasticity, and leaving hair with a healthy shine. 

TropiClean D-Mat Pet Tangle Remover on Amazon!

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DOODLE EAR CARE IS SO IMPORTANT! 

Their Ears MUST to be kept clean and free of hair. The hair needs to be plucked out every month. It’s easy to do and only takes a few minutes. Get your puppy used to it from day one.. you don’t need to pluck the hair from day one but just get them used to the idea of you messing with their ears so when the time comes they will not be as concerned.

EAR CLEANER FOR DOODLES

The ear care cleaner I trust and use the most is the Epi-Otic Ear Cleanser.  It was first recommended to me by my Veterinarian and it has been part of my grooming toolbox ever since. 

• Epi-Otic ADVANCED Ear Cleanser (8 fl oz) on Amazon
• Epi-Otic by Virbac (16 fl. oz) on Amazon

COMPARE PRICES ON CHEWY.COM 

Zymox Otic Pet Ear Treatment with Hydrocortisone

I love Zymox because it WORKS! Dare I say.. even better than some of the medications you get from the vets. I highly recommend every doodle owner have some of this on hand just in case.

• For treating inflammation of the external ear caused by bacterial, viral, and yeast infections
• Contains no antibiotics
• Destroys antibiotic-resistant organisms

Buy Zymox on Amazon

COMPARE PRICES:  Zymox on Chewy.com 

More Can’t Live without Grooming supplies for the Doodle Owner..

• Tropiclean D-Mat Tangle Remover Spray
• Grooming Scissors (nice grooming scissors)
• Chris Christensen T-Brush 16mm MINI (a smaller Pin Brush)
• Pet Nail Clipper – Claw through style (you have to clip nails at least once a month and be careful not to cut the quick)
• Coat Bath Wipes (for that quick once over after a walk)
• Kwik Stop Stypic Powder (in case you clip the nail quick by accident to stop bleeding)
• Gold Medal Groomers Ear Powder (for better grip on the slippery ear hair when plucking it out)
• Straight or Curved Hemostat (for pulling ear hair /splinters etc.)
• Virbac Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleaner (ear preventive)
• Zymox Otic Enzymatic Solution for Pet Ears (ear treatment)

WANNA LEARN TO GROOM YOUR DOODLE YOURSELF?

Invest in a nice set of Clippers like the Andis Super 2-Speed AG Clipper w/#10 Blade and learn to use them, this can save you hundreds of dollars but you might have to submit your poor dog to some pretty funny haircuts in the beginning believe me I know from personal experience… and so do my poor humiliated dogs

Shampoos and Conditioners I like for my Doodle Dogs..

I love these brands of shampoos and conditioners. They ALL make my dogs coats really soft and manageable (as manageable as a dogs coat can be!) plus they all smell REALLY good which is super important to me!

• Buddy Rinse Conditioner – Lavender & Mint Scented – by Cloud Star
• Buddy Wash Dog Shampoo- Green Tea and Bergamot, 16-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 2)
• 8 in 1 Perfect Coat – White Pearl Shampoo, 32 Ounce Bottle, Coconut Scent
  Keeps your white dogs BRIGHT WHITE,  soft and smelling yummy!
• Bio-Groom Fluffy Puppy Shampoo, 12-Ounce
  Smells REALLY good. My groomer recommended this brand to me when I asked her what she used because I loved how my dogs smelled when they came home.
• Earthbath Brand Shampoo and Conditioner – All Natural  – Smells so good and makes your dogs clean and shiny! Great Stuff!
• Earthbath – Mango Tango 2-in-1 – Conditioning + Natural Shampoo for smelly dogs, tangled fur and dull coat!

 

A Great Video on Labradoodle Grooming

The clipper she’s using in the video are the Wahl Professional 2 Speed Corded Clipper Kit

Bonve Pet – Dog Nail Clippers / Trimmer with Safety Guard

These kind of dog nail clippers are great because the guard stops you from clipping the nails too short and having a bloody and painful experience for your puppy or dog.

If you cut too short and clip the nail’s “quick” (the flesh area under the root of the nail) it will bleed. You can use the guard on these to make it MUCH easier and just snip the tip-off the nail. When you got a wiggle puppy these are super helpful.

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Small Nail Clippers for Puppies and Toy/Mini Doodles

When it comes downs to it, all dogs need their nails trimmed on a regular basis. You don’t want them to be too long or too short, and a healthy nails will slightly touch the ground as your dog walks.

The nails of active dogs can gradually trim from walking on pavement, but dogs who aren’t as active should receive trimmings more frequently.

Buy Small Pet Nail Clippers On Amazon! 

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