flat coat goldendoodle grooming
consider forming a relationship with a professional groomer you like and trust, and have a standing appointment at whatever interval he or she recommends. Add a dollop of shampoo about the size of a dime to the palm of your hand, and gently lather up the trouble area. And unless they get your dog too excited and wriggly, small treats can help make grooming a positive experience for any dog. The area around the anus deserves special mention in this breed, because it can be the site of some of the worst and most unpleasant mats. If your matting problem is serious enough that youre reaching for the scissors, consider a trip to a. Everyone loves a clean, fresh dog, right? While it may be shocking to have a professional groomer tell you your dog needs to be completely shaved to address a badly matted coat, its often the most humane approach, because attempting to remove extensive matting with special combs or mat splitters can be even more painfuland highly stressfulto dogs. In general, the curlier the coat, the greater likelihood that mats will form. But it can be done, often with excellent results. Heres how to achieve thatand how to get the maximum benefit from your dogs bath with minimum post-bath tangles: Obviously, if your boy has had a grand time rolling in the mud, into the bath he goes. Pat the area dry and your dogs work is done. Bath Time Active dogs tend to require extra grooming. The Best Dog Shedding Brush Trouble areas tend to be the muzzle, ears, tail, and feet, as well as high-friction areas such as the armpits (legpits?) The Goldendoodle is simply a cross between a Poodle and a Golden Retriever. But sometimes Id forget. If its bigger than a quarter, you have a couple of options: a de-matting comb, scissors, or a trip to the groomers. Combs are inexpensive, and come in several varieties: Double-sided combo comb. And the benefits are more than skin deep: by committing to a regular grooming routine with your Goldendoodle, youll be safeguarding her overall health and wellbeingnot to mention strengthening the bond between you and your dog. Dentastix Vs. Greenies: Which Clean Your Dogs Teeth Better? When the dense hair around your dogs bottom gets long and unruly, that can create the perfect trap for fecal matter. A double-sided comb like this one is a must-have. Dont tug at the matsthe skin here is ultra-sensitive! Only a comb gets down to the skin and removes the dead hair and dense undercoat so it cant form mats. But I was lucky: the groomer kindly took me aside and explained where Id made my mistakesand the biggest one was my choice of tool. Is Lavender Oil Safe for Dogs? Ten-inch steel comb. There may be a Goldendoodle out there who doesnt mind having her tail combed out, but if so, Ive never met her! Want to Save Money? Theres a steep learning curve, and the art of cutting and clipping is beyond the scope of this article. Many home groomers swear by this variation on the metal-toothed comb, saying that the circular action of the pins breaks up tangles with less pulling. Once you and your dog adopt a routine of daily grooming, youll have a dogs eye view of any potential issues: fleas, ticks, or other icky bugs, or lumps, bumps, rashes, abrasions, or other signs that your dog may need a trip to the vet. Be sure youre cutting close to the mat and at least a half inch away from the skin. Where relevant and helpful to the reader, we may link to products. A metal comb, ideally one with both coarse and fine teeth, is the must-have grooming tool for Goldendoodles. Have an assistant steady your dog while you address the tail. Theres a better way: Once your Goldendoodle is mostly dry, another pass with the comb will insure he stays mat-free. Once youve combed it out with the coarse teeth, follow it up with the fine teeth. Puppies tend to enjoy the attention and adjust quickly to a routine. You, however, still have. But if shes covered with lovely waves or luscious curls, consistent daily attention is a must, even if you only have time to hit the mat-prone areas mentioned above. Together, you and your dog will enjoy the benefits of your new routine, and reap rewards of a beautiful coat, better health, closer bondingand no more shaves! Daily exercise is a wonderful way to boost your metabolism, keep your weight under control, and promote general wellbeingand the same goes for your dog! and under the collar. Grooming your Goldendoodles facemuzzle, chin, around the eyes, and both the ear flaps and under the earsmay take some trial and error. Easy-peasy. Though the idea of using the family bathtub to tackle a poopy bottom may not be appealing, thats the ideal location for the job, because youll need plenty of warm water. The advantage: its economical and should last a long time. Use the coarse teeth to start, then flip it over and finish with the fine teeth. Success! Instead, pat her dry gently, squeezing the fur rather than roughing it up. You can find it with coarse or fine teeth or in combo. Treat the entire coat this way. Theres also the temptation to try to pick up too much hair at once with a larger comb. A quick pass with a slicker brush (below) may help loosen the hair for the comb. Using your blunt-tipped scissors, begin snipping away the clumps of feces. This is where I went wrong, along with many other novice Goldendoodle ownersI ran out and bought a simple pin brush for my pup. If your jam-packed schedule wont allow for consistent grooming, or your Goldendoodles coat is very curly (like Aggies), or you happen to love the super-fluffy look of a coat thats longer than two or three inches . No matterits never too early or too late to develop healthy grooming habits. Then rinse the area around the anus thoroughly. The Best Dog Shampoos for Itchy Skin A de-matting comb can be a useful tool for the home groomer. Heres how: Inexpensive craft scissors are ideal for this task. Many brave Goldendoodle owners bypass the monthly or bimonthly professional trim in favor of their own home salon. However, a soaking-wet coat is a recipe for mats and tangles, especially if your instinct is to grab a towel and rub your pup briskly. Its short length also means you dont pick up too much hair at once, so less pulling on tender skin. Life is busy, right? Dexas Mudbuster Portable Dog Paw Cleaner Review. Otherwise, while it varies from dog to dog, going once a month or longer between baths allows the natural oils of the coat to promote healthy skin and hair. Like the old axiom says, A tired dog is a good dog.. If you typically relax in front of the television in the evening, thats the perfect opportunity to tuck a few treats in your pocket and call your dog over. But its coat is anything but simple: due to genetics and breeding, it can be retriever-flat or poodle-curly, or any variation in between, with a low-to-no shedding quality that contributes to the popular breeds hypoallergenic reputation. Why Do Some People Crop Pitbull Ears? If your active Goldendoodle likes to swim, roll in the mud (what dog doesnt? If you like, use a blow dryer on the cool setting. ), you and your dog will find a routine that can be both relaxing and enjoyable for both of you. Bigger is not necessarily better when it comes to combs, and for some, this basic stainless steel combo comb may feel awkward to use as well as tough to maneuver into tight spots. This way, youre preventing mats before they even have a chance to form. How to Find the Right Dog Groomer. Work in small sections until the entire tail is combed out. Start, as always, with patting and praise, gently handling all the areas youll be working on. Be very gentle, especially if its in a sensitive area like the ears, face, or tail. The Truth Behind This Controversial Practice, How To Care For A Long Haired Dachshund Grooming Tips, Health Care, Training And More, Is Lavender Oil Safe for Dogs? Get out of the waydamp dog on the loose! Grab your comb and give your Goldendoodle a quick once-over, using the coarse teeth. Whats in that fluffy coat, anyway? . Goldendoodle coats can be straight, wavy, or curly. I know a woman who trims her Goldendoodle with scissors from head to toe every two weeksand her dogs soft, beautiful coat is a show-stopper. Make daily grooming an enjoyable ritual between you and your dog, and youll be rewarded with a great-looking companion who looks forward to your attention. And doesnt he look great? Then run your comb through her coat, especially along her sides, legs, and tail. Some of these links are affiliate links where we may earn commissions on purchases. Rotating pin comb. Dexas Mudbuster Portable Dog Paw Cleaner Review However, that absence of shedding is also where grooming problems can arise, especially for beginner owners. ), or run through the brush, your challenges are magnified. Usually. Is everything neat, clean, and trimmed short? And a little love doesnt hurt! An outing in the mud and brush may mean its time for a bath. The Truth Behind This Controversial Practice Your daily grooming means a beautiful healthy coat! But what if the mat has escaped your attention and spread? As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Tackle larger mats in small sections. Over time, poopy mats can accumulate, even to the point where in addition to being unsightly, they interfere with your dogs ability to defecate properly. Then introduce your combyour smallest rotating pin comb is a good choiceand begin with the ears. Goldendoodle tails are typically long-haired and fluffy. Watch for issues in this area when you do your regular grooming routine, and if you see a problem developing, youll need to nip it in the bud. If its small, count your blessingsyou can probably remove it with the comb, using the coarse teeth and working from the edge of the mat out. And thats how I learned the hard way that bringing out the best in your Goldendoodles beautiful, dynamic coat takes more than the occasional brushing, bathing, and wishful thinkingit takes a commitment, meaning consistency, the right tools, and a solid knowledge base. The first time I brought my Goldendoodle, Aggie, to a professional groomer was also the first time I heard the dreaded word shave.. This combo of the wrong tool and lack of consistency is what led to Aggies traumatic shave. Work all the way around the anus in a wide circle, trimming the excess hair to a uniform short length. (Plus Our Favorite Lavender Oil Products for Dogs). This is my go-to comb: lightweight, comfortable to hold, and at just 2 3 inches long, great for tight spots like faces. As far as consistency, I made sure to brush her at least once a week. At some point in your work, youre going to encounter a thick plaque of tangled hair the mat. A Goldendoodles dense undercoat needs regular brushing to remove loose hairotherwise, trapped under the animals thick topcoat, these discarded hairs will quickly form hard mats that will only get larger over time. However, with practice and consistency (that word again! If you want to take this step, be advised youll need patience, a cooperative dog, and the best canine clippers you can afford. Dentastix Vs. Greenies: Which Clean Your Dogs Teeth Better? How To Care For A Long Haired Dachshund Grooming Tips, Health Care, Training And More Prevention is the key! A mat is a dense plaque of tangled hair and debris that typically forms close to your dogs skin. Cant Get Enough of Your Goldendoodle? An inexpensive steel comb should last many years. Daily combing will keep your Goldendoodles face fluffy and mat-free. In another minute hell leap from the tub and shake all over your nice bathroom. The pins on this comb twist, helping it move easily through the coat. If you like the small size and maneuverability of this comb, its a worthy addition to your grooming tool collection. Just because youre relying so much on your comb doesnt mean theres not a role for a brush or two when it comes to grooming your Goldendoodle. I thought I was doing everything right. Do you grab a towel and give him a brisk rubdown? Your Goldendoodle may have come to you as a puppy, or perhaps he was a rescue and is a bit older. But when I picked her up a few hours later, I hardly recognized hershed shrunk two sizes and was sporting a buzz cut so short I could see the pink of her skin through what was left of her formerly fluffy coat. Okay, your Goldendoodle is clean, conditioned, and thoroughly rinsed. What I needed, she said, was not a brush, but a comb. A hand-held spray attachment will make the job even easier, as will a second set of hands. Id used a similar brush on past dogs with great success, so why not for my Aggie? This is a good time to trim any long hairs that might be interfering with your dogs vision. Arent There Professionals Who Do All This? Youll need. The Best Dry Dog Shampoo Keeping Your Dog Clean Between Your Bath Routine Ease the tips of the comb under the edge of the mat and carefully work it through. Again, every dog is different, so use trial and error to see which shampoo (and conditioner, if you use one) agrees with your dogs unique skin and coat. If you prefer to not have a wet dog running around the house, you can use a blow dryer on the cool setting to hasten the drying process, but continue to touch up with the comb so that your fully-dried dog is fluffy, mat-free, and beautiful. All it takes are the right tools, consistency, and a willingness to learn as you go. YOU are the very best person to take care of your Goldendoodles coat, even if you dont have infinite time, patience, or resources. Lift your Goldendoodle into the bathtub if she hasnt jumped in already, and have your assistant hold her collar. Once you can glide the de-matting comb through the area, switch to your regular comb and remove any dead hair. Once youve found the comb that works for you, establish a time of day for your grooming sessions, keeping in mind that youre not preparing your Goldendoodle for the ring at Madison Square Gardenyour routine needs to fit your lifestyle and available time. Mats can be small or quite extensive, and often tug painfully at the skin. If youve adopted an older dog whose grooming hasnt been consistent, no matteras with any other training, a calm, relaxed approach will get him on board, especially if you keep sessions short at first and gradually build up. Start your grooming routine with your puppy if possible. (Plus Our Favorite Lavender Oil Products for Dogs) How to Train a Bomb Proof Stay In 5 Steps, The Best Dry Dog Shampoo Keeping Your Dog Clean Between Your Bath Routine, Why Do Some People Crop Pitbull Ears? A special bond is created when you and your dog hit the road together, rain or shine. When youre done, rinse the area with warm water and check your work. . A pin-and-bristle combo brush, left, and a slicker brush. If youre relying on brushing alone, youre literally just scratching the surface. The muzzle gets wet multiple times a day, and needs daily combing. Tails represent a special challenge for Goldendoodle owners, because the hair is typically allowed to grow long and wavy, even curly, PLUS its a high-friction area, PLUS it can be next to impossible for your dog to hold still. The Best Dog Clippers Because youre right there to spot trouble early, major problems can often be avoided. Most dogs will tolerate a wash in this region if you work calmly and efficiently, and use the proper tools. Make sure the water is pleasantly warmtest it on your wrist before applying it to your dog. Use your blunt-tipped scissors, and be sure to point them away from your dogs face. Wait! Use your towel to squeeze excess moisture from the coat instead of rubbing. If your Goldendoodles coat is flat or just a little wavy, you may be able to get away with a home grooming session once a week. The inner flap of the ear is a common place for mats to form and ticks to hide. (photo credit Humboldt County Goldendoodles), Subscribe to our newsletter to receive regular updates, .wp-show-posts-columns#wpsp-13583 {margin-left: -2em; }.wp-show-posts-columns#wpsp-13583 .wp-show-posts-inner {margin: 0 0 2em 2em; }