Do you use spray conditioner after brushing?

[Harper's mom]

Hi there!!!
Ella is ten weeks now and I have been faithfully brushing/combing her.. When I am done, should I spray in some leave in conditioner?? How often do you use it on your dog's hair? I was thinking of just diluting the dog conditioner with water and using that..Would that be good for her coat?  It lIt is my first time with a doodle, and want to make sure her hair is soft and healthy :) Thanks!

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

I either use just water, or a very diluted finishing spray. Recently I have been using lemon juice. I steep one sliced lemon in 32oz of water overnight. In the morning I take out the slices and bottle the juice. Refrigerated it lasts about a week. I find it leaves my dog's coats super soft.

[Harper's mom]

That is a good idea to spray before brushing her. I have never heard of lemon juice. Wouldn't that dry out her hair after awhile? It is crazy, but I can't find a good spray conditioner anywhere where I live. I have a vitamin b5 spray from the hairdresser. The ingredients are Purified water, glyoxylic acid, vitamin b5, matricaria extract, nettle extract, hydrolyzed wheat protein, and sorbitol. Would this be okay to use until I order some online? From my readings, cowboy magic seems to be popular. Would their finishing spray be a good choice?

Thanks again!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I use either water or a very dilute finishing spray also on Ned.  I don't worry about Clancy at all because he is a non-matting, shedding dog.  I like the lemon water idea; Ned would smell so nice.

[Lauria Orr]

Chris Christensen has a really nice spray-on detangler and leave-in conditioner that I use, called "Ice On Ice".  It does keep the coat soft and it makes a big difference in managing our Doodles "dos" .  They are F1B Goldendoodles, so they are 3/4 poodle, and that coat can become  matted if not handled correctly.  Having tried it with and without this product, I truly am very pleased with the feel and manageability of it. I use it kind of sparingly.  I do recall is was a little spendy.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Thank you for the recommendation. The spendy part is a worry since I have two standards but Kona's got a wooly coat so it might be just what we are missing in his grooming kit.

[Lauria Orr]

I don't think it was prohibitive.  I got it directly from his company, as I recall.  I have most of the bottle left after using it almost a year, so it was well worth it.  I have 2 dogs on the smaller size.  I love the product, and it smells fresh.  I like that as much as I like the way the coat feels after using it.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Thank you for the info. I think I will order it today. I haven't ever used a detangler on the boys. Kona's coat is pretty wooly. Well, fleece and wool. Does that make sense?

[Harper's mom]

Thanks so much! I am going to order the ice on ice tonight :)

[Joy & Buddy]

I used Ice on Ice on Buddy, after running out of a wonderful finishing spray that is no longer available.  While using Ice on Ice for about 2 weeks, Buddy's coat became increasingly dry, until when we bathed him, it broke off in places, and he matted like he never has before.  Took him to our fabulous doodle groomer who confirmed that the product was in large part responsible--we had to cut his coat way down (the alien poodle look) which we have never done before.  Also, puppy coat still matting up with adult coat.  She recommended Coat Handler products.  Has anyone ever used them?  Buddy is F1 goldendoodle, by the way, with a wavy fleece coat.  I also got Liquid Slicker (after DK testimonials!) and it worked to help get mats out.  But the groomer was concerned that the oil glands can become blocked if a product is too heavy.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

One of the products our groomer has recommended, but I haven't tried it yet, is  Bedhead for kids not the one for pets.

[Lauria Orr]

I have never had any issue with Ice on Ice, and was surprised at first to read that someone had a problem.  Then, again, each dog is different, and what may bother one may not effect another.  I shampoo the dogs with Aveeno skin relief body wash.  Then I use Chris Chrisensen's "Day To Day Moisturizing Conditioner".  This is rinsed out a few minutes after application.  After towel drying the dogs gently, I spray the "Ice On Ice" on their coats and they do just perfectly. I have not tried the BedHead products.  How perfect if that works well! I have had to send away for the Chris Christensen products, but I love them,so I don't mind.