I have to do what??? Grooming dilema

[Jayd (Dempsey)]

 

I'm a little embarassed to post this but I'm feeling very naive.  I had NO idea how much is involved in grooming a doodle.  Not that it's a problem per say but my 1st grooming experience with a groomer was a bit of a disaster and my doodle was mad at me for 2 full days.  I cried A LOT those 2 days!  So I am very apprehensive to dive back in.  And the idea of using scissors myself...yikes!  So here are my questions and if anyone could share their wisdom...I would be very appreciative.  I'm new to this community and I have never seen such a caring and supportive bunch, so thanks in advance for your insight.

 

Matting - when does this start to happen?  My doodle will be 4 months this Sat.  Does it happen to all doodles?  Do you have to shave them to avoid the problem? ...I so love a shaggy doodle.

 

Bathing - How often are you supossed to do this I've heard everything from 4-6 weeks but to be careful cuz their skin gets dry..What do you recommend?  what shampoo do you use?

 

Cleaning the eyes - is there a product or process that makes this easier?  The eye gunk is very hard to remove.

 

I have no idea what kind of coat my doodle has wool or fleece??? Can someone explain the difference?  I just know he is shaggy and has a wavy very soft coat.  And this changes right?  When does that happen?  I hear about all kinds of tools and have NO IDEA what to buy.  All I have is a pin brush which my doodlw would rather eat then have me use it...ugh!

 

Thanks again everyone!  This group is amazing!

 

[Jayd (Dempsey)]

Gald i could help!

[Donna K & Quincy]

http://http://www.labradoodle-breeder.com/faq_labradoodles_groom.html This is a link I found about grooming, it has some useful tips.

[Jayd (Dempsey)]

That link was very helpful!  Thanks again Donna!  I'm not sure I'm ready for more than brushing... Yes I'm chicken!  But Adina would be proud I let him eat his eye gunk tonight LOL! 

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

Cooper mattted like crazy when she was about 8  months old, and it lasted several months. I didnt shave her, but I did cut her to about 2 inches long and brushed like crazy.  Now though, she barely mats! And doesnt shed. I give her a big brush once a  month, and pull apart any forming mates when I see them.  I like to keep her fur long in the winter, then cut her down with scissors in the summer to about 2 inches. I bath her every 4 months or so. Dogs pH is different to ours, so make sure you use a dog shampoo not a human one. I also feed Cooper her eye gunk - its the only way she will let me pull them off every day!

[Jayd (Dempsey)]

That is great info Kaytlin.  I knew their coats changed but I assumed it was kind of like when I shed like crazy when the seasons change.  I guess I didn't realize how exstensive it could be.  He's almost 4 months so I guess I'll have to wait and see.  His hair is just about 2 inches now and I really like the shaggy look but I can see that his hair is really dense too and wonder if that is cool enough for the summer?  I live in Philly and the winters are definitely cold and long so I want him to have plenty of fur then.  Oh great he'll be 8 months in December...thouse are going to be some funny looking Christmas cards! lol!  Thanks for your input, I do appreciate it!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Hi Jayd! I think you've gotten all the advice you need. I just wanted to say that I sympathise completely. I did know that I'd have to do a lot of grooming, but it still didn't quite sink in until reality hit. I love the learning process but it can be gross and unexpected. Imagine my surprise when I found poo stuck in my doodles bum hair and had to wash it out! I had no idea that I needed to have my doodles bum area shaved down to prevent that from happening. I guess it makes sense, but it just hadn't occured to me.

 

My doodle loves to play with the brush too - I started out with my own hair brush, and now I use a regular comb. My doodle is super wiggly, and didn't like having her face and nails trimmed or her ears cleaned. They get used to it but it takes time. I learned that the slower I go, and I mean sssslllllooooooowwwwwww, the better it is.

 

I caved and had her professionally groomd recently, I was so curious about what she would look like. I'm pretty happy with the result - she is so much easier to keep clean and when I bathe her she dries really quickly.

 

Good luck!