Coat Change & Line Brushing- UPDATED

[Star and Goldie]

First, let me say I'd be lost without DK! There is no way I could take care of my doodle without this site.

I'm pretty well armored for the Mat Battle 2013.  I've got the Safari Dematter Comb, The Les Pooch brush, Andis Steel Comb and Cowboy Magic Detangler.  Even with the help of all of these awesome tools (that I probably wouldn't have even known about without DK), I'd give myself a C- at best on keeping up with the mats during this COAT CHANGE-A-PALOOZA! I keep finding mats left and right. The Cowboy Magic is definitely helping along with the Dematter comb and brushes but I just can't seem to get her mat free and keep finding some pretty radical ones that are too tough to get out in one sitting.

Another thing I've started to study up on is line brushing. I've been trying it but so far I haven't quite gotten it down.

Does anyone have a good line brushing video that features a doodle with longer hair and the proper technique to use? I can't figure out if I should be starting at the back and work my way down to the belly or start at the belly and work my way up.  Which way pulls less?

Also, I can't seem to find anywhere how long the coat change lasts. I'm really struggling and am about to throw in the towel and go for a dreaded shave down:( Someone please tell me it doesn't last forever that I'm not doing as bad as I think I am... is it really this bad for everyone during this time??

I really wanted to let Goldie use this kiddie pool all summer to stay cool.  She had an absolute blast but it seemed like the mats really took over after that so it looks like we will be putting the pool away for good and keep her dry this year!

How do you let your doods get wet without a mat invasion following? I brushed her out before she got in the pool and I used Cowboy Magic and a ShamWow when she got out. They seemed to help but not enough!

7/25 UPDATE:

Including an update since the update itself has turned into a little discussion.

Goldie got shaved down today. She took her down to 1 inch. I provided a picture of what I wanted and the face was not even close to what was pictured. Goldie's body, tail and legs look beautiful but the face cut is not what I asked for. The Groomer left her ears long and a poof on top of her head. I do believe this short coat will be easier to manage and get me through the coat change and I LOVE LOVE her velvety teddy bear body but I am pretty bummed with the end result of the face- really just the ears... they're really bothering me for some reason! Maybe it's just because it's so clearly NOT what I asked for. I even left the picture with her.... did she even look at it?

HERE IS WHAT I ASKED FOR:

HERE IS WHAT I GOT:

The ears are killing me. If the wind picks up, she may just fly away ;)

[Star and Goldie]

Does anyone know about how long it will take for her doodle face hair to grow back some? I already miss that sweet doodle face! I just got a glance of her from the side laying down and she looked like a rat. (does that make me a bad momma to admit that? haha) :(

[Cathy, Fozzie & Shaggy]

Aawww, Goldie couldn't look anything but cute no matter how she's cut but I do see what you mean. If your groomer has done other doodles, she is likely used to leaving ears longer. I would be sick if Fozzie's ears were cut as short as your example picture but that is what you wanted and what she should have done. My final opinion is that I would rather have my guys face be on the longer side and I can trim them if I wish rather than too short and have to look at an ugly cut for the weeks it takes to grow out. I do hope you can get Goldie's ears cut just the way you wished and that you find her shorter coat easier to care for!

[Star and Goldie]

Thanks! I can already tell that her coat is going to be much easier to manage now. I really do love it!  The cut is beautiful (minus my issues with the face cut)

I'll try to get some better pics including her body so everyone can see that there is still hope for my groomer. She got the body right this time... hopefully next time we can get the face right!

I may take her back up there tomorrow and ask her to fix the ears. The more I look at them the more I just think they make everything seem so uneven and off balance.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

The poof on top will lay down some once you wet it and I would take her back tomorrow for the ears if you want them shorter. Discuss. The top too and maybe she can make it less round. I do my two myself and it really is very easy. Just stay and watch the groomer and you will pick up tips quickly. Thinning shears are scissors with "teeth" so to speak. They aren't solid blades and cut some hair shorter than other hair as you cut. Makes the cut look more blended and natural. But would take quite awhile to do her ears with. Let us know what groomer says if you take her back. I'm betting she will gladly fix it.

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

I still think better too long than too short!  She is so cute, I like her with the longer look!