HELP I believe I can't keep up with the matts !!!!!

[Marion]

Abby is 11 month.I brush her out every day for 30 minutes and longer,but she gets one matt after another.I really wanted to keep her coat long but I guess I have to have her shaved shorter.
When the grown up coat comes in,do they get matted as bad?????
Any spechial tools for the matts, I should know??
Thank you.

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

Coat change! We all go thru it. The best thing is to shorten the coat to 2 inches and brush and comb. The Les Pooch brushes are the most effective.

[Sam]

Which brush type do you recommend Barb. Ollie has a fleece coat. I had a quick look at the websites and there are a lot to choose from.......

[Sam]

I am having exactly the same problems with Ollie. He is almost 10 months old and is always matted behind his ears (especially the left ear which is his 'scratching ear') and around his neck where his collar sits.
You are one up on me though - Ollie gets a very quick brush as I can't get him to stay there for 30 mins, doesn't matter how many times I try and convince him its a massage....lol....
I actually bought a dematting comb yesterday which is a comb that is hooked around and inside the bend it is sharp and you actually break the matt up. Hopefully that does something....... I have looked for the Les Pooch brushes but I'm in Oz and I haven't seen them at our local shops.

[Denise, Winnie, and AngelAbby]

I believe you have to order them on line. Kemps store has them also - www.DoodleCountry.com - as a matter of fact, I just ordered one from him - it does a nice job. I actually have a Chris Christensen T-brush which I really like too - also only available on line.
I just took my Abby's coat down to about 1 1/2 inches - it looks pretty cute actually, and so much easier to brush out. (not to mention a lot cooler for her)

[Marion]

Hi Sam,
in the beginning,Abby wouldn't sit still either and I could only do some quick brushing.
She still doesn't like it,but she is so patient now.It must have been hard today for her espechially,lots of matts.
My friend is a groomer and she said, you just have to make them ,no choice of leaving and it worked,you have to be stern,just like with kids.
I was shocked, I never really brushed to much behind her ears,and there were clumps and I had to cut it out.
I'm so attached to her coat,but it has to go for a while.
It's to hard for me to take care of it now.

[Sam]

I must say after reading your initial blog and then going to the groomers homepage and reading what Barb said I went outside all inspired. I used his lead to tie him up and after struggling at first (especially when I was trying to do around his face) I think he just gave in and just thought íf I sit still she'll get over this soon.....'' I didn't realise that we were supposed to brush out the puppy coat.... I was amazed how much actually came out on the brush.
I am going to put Ollie in for a haircut next week. If anyone had seen me measuring Ollies coat with a ruler they would have died laughing I'm sure!!! 3 inches, I was thinking he was due so I'm ringing them tomorrow...
I hadn't thought that the collar itself might be the problem - he has a canvas type one with a plastic clip as he goes to the beach a bit and I was thinking that would be better in the water. Maybe I should just save that for when we go down to the beach. I have actually started taking it off him full stop when we are at home.
Thanks everyone!!

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

One of the reasons your finding matts behind the ears is because of the collar. I was using a nylon woven collar and when swimming the Dublin collar that doesn't stink. It is sort of rubber like. I have now found out that the way to go is leather. I hear the rolled leather collars are the best but there really aren't any pretty ones out there. I have a flat brown leather with turquoise hearts on it and it seems to do the job. No matts!

[Bev and WILLY]

Willy and I got together with some Doodlers over the weekend, and we had a grooming session. I have so much to learn. BUT, I did come away with great information on: Red Les Pooch Mat Zapper brush, keeping the hair trimmed shorter behind the ears, a revolving or rolling comb, and also to cut the hair shorter around the neck area. Makes it easier for the collar not to rub and give the doods without a lot of neck a nicer look.
Fortunately for me, Willy hasn't started to matt yet, but I will be ready and a little smarter when he does.

[Janie]

I have found that the best tools for splitting mats is a plastic letter opener that looks like a business card, with a single tooth and a blade in the corner......use it like a pick. It really is fatastic just be sure you are careful so as not to cut the dog.