How Do I know

[Wasseem Sidhom]

Ok...I'm embarrassed to ask, but how do I know if Cooper's adult coat is in or not? He turns 1 on Feb 3rd.

I try to brush him every other day, and he only tolerates about 5 minutes or so...mainly brushing his back and top of the head.  Once in a while, he lets me do his legs and stomach.  But typically after that, he goes for the brush or moves away and goes to sit some where else. He hates to get his tail brushed.

When I first pick up the brush, he comes over right away as if he wants to get brushed...but it doesn't last long enough.

Also, is there a recommended shampoo and conditioner I should be using?

Sorry for the ignorance.

[Laura and Angus]

Adorable baby! That looks like an adult coat to me... From what I've seen, puppy coats tend to be softer/fleecier (is that a word?). I was recently looking back at old posts about adult coats and people seem to have them changing over from 5-12 months...Our puppy is 6 months and his coat seems to be getting more coarse in a stripe along his back - which people have said is common with doodles. Maybe someone can enlighten you more? 

[Diane, Hurley and Sidney]

Hurley's coat change was from about a year to 18 months. From the time he was about 3 months old (maybe younger) I would get down on the floor with him and pet him while talking to him in a soft voice and then start to brush along his back. This at first would last about 5 minutes, if I was lucky, but over time the time increased and it wasn't all that long until he really enjoyed it. I was brushing him daily while he was going through the coat change. Now it is every 2-3 days depending on weather and what he has been up to or into or doing. He lays on his side and I brush one side, the legs, etc. Then roll him over, which is always a joke as he is a dead weight, and brush the other side. He loves laying there and being pampered. I get the chest and the head with him sitting up. What is funny, to me anyway, is he never makes any sound except a sigh or happy groan. And if he thinks I have been a little rough with getting a mat out or such his head comes up and he gives me what I call "The Hurley Stare". Never a sound. Just a stare.

[Diane, Hurley and Sidney]

Hurley's coat change was from about a year to 18 months. From the time he was about 3 months old (maybe younger) I would get down on the floor with him and pet him while talking to him in a soft voice and then start to brush along his back. This at first would last about 5 minutes, if I was lucky, but over time the time increased and it wasn't all that long until he really enjoyed it. I was brushing him daily while he was going through the coat change. Now it is every 2-3 days depending on weather and what he has been up to or into or doing. He lays on his side and I brush one side, the legs, etc. Then roll him over, which is always a joke as he is a dead weight, and brush the other side. He loves laying there and being pampered. I get the chest and the head with him sitting up. What is funny, to me anyway, is he never makes any sound except a sigh or happy groan. And if he thinks I have been a little rough with getting a mat out or such his head comes up and he gives me what I call "The Hurley Stare". Never a sound. Just a stare.

[Diane, Hurley and Sidney]

Hurley's coat change was from about a year to 18 months. From the time he was about 3 months old (maybe younger) I would get down on the floor with him and pet him while talking to him in a soft voice and then start to brush along his back. This at first would last about 5 minutes, if I was lucky, but over time the time increased and it wasn't all that long until he really enjoyed it. I was brushing him daily while he was going through the coat change. Now it is every 2-3 days depending on weather and what he has been up to or into or doing. He lays on his side and I brush one side, the legs, etc. Then roll him over, which is always a joke as he is a dead weight, and brush the other side. He loves laying there and being pampered. I get the chest and the head with him sitting up. What is funny, to me anyway, is he never makes any sound except a sigh or happy groan. And if he thinks I have been a little rough with getting a mat out or such his head comes up and he gives me what I call "The Hurley Stare". Never a sound. Just a stare.

[Pat, Mary & Cooper]

I came across your post and couldn't resist writing you, our doodles look so much alike and have the same name!! I don't see much doodles with that same nose colour ...

[Wasseem Sidhom]

Wow!!! they do look very much alike. 

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

What a little cutie!! If you have only been brushing his back and head for 5 mins. a day and have not encountered a huge matting problem then my guess would be it is still his puppy coat. Tara's changed out between 11-13 months or so. She too was resistant to being brushed and I had a horrible time controlling her mats once the change out started. If he seems to want to be brushed but then leaves perhaps the brush is irritating in some way? You want to brush deep enough to prevent mats but also avoid hitting the skin.  I have also found that a grooming table has made a huge different in Tara's attitude toward grooming. She knows she is there for a purpose and it also prevents her from deciding when the grooming session is over!  Tara has certain areas that she hates having brushed including her tail too! But on the table she cannot run off and that allows me time to be slow and gentle on her sensitive areas. I use the Aroma Paws line of shampoo because I like to avoid chemicals as she has sensitive skin.