I feel so bad!

[Lucy & Ellie]

Lucy is our first dog so we are clueless apparently.  We have this http://www.petsmart.com/supplies-training/brushes-combs-blow-dryers...

I really thought I did an ok job of brushing her out but we noticed she was starting to get some matting so we decided it was time to visit a real groomer. 

Lucy is 9 months old and I read on this board that that's around when their adult coats start coming and the matting starts happening so I guess that's what happened.

I took her to the groomer and they knew right away that they'd need to shave her!  I was shocked!  So anyway, they shaved her but now I see that I need to educate myself on how to better take care of Lucy.

I see there are different doodle fur types.  I don't know what Lucy's is... she's curly (except when we bathe her we blow her dry so it doesn't really look curly).  It's VERY soft and doesn't shed.  I am attaching a pic if that helps.

How can I prevent matting in the future?  Obviously I either have the wrong brush or I'm just doing it wrong.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

I find, most brushes can pass right over any knots and/ or mats. I brush Enzo and then go over her again with a comb. This takes out any small knots that are starting. Thankfully, she has never had a mat. But, she must be brushed every single day. I dislike the close clip look and prefer the " shaggy" bedhead look, so I am willing to do the everyday brush.

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Such a cutie, both girls ;-)))))
First of all don't feel bad, it's a challenge for sure. Our Yogi seemed to start matting
overnight right at 9 months also. I had been using a rotating tooth comb and a T brush from Chris Christianson.
It was doing a good job, but once the matts started, I needed more. Fortunately I had read on DK about what is now called the Activet brush that is made in Germany. It was and continues to be a lifesaver. I brush out with my T brush,
then whenever I feel a snag, I use the Activet brush ( sometimes called Les Pooches) to get the matt out. It makes it sooo
much easier on both of us.
It does take a lot of work still. He just turned a year old and I still need to brush at least every other day, even then I'll find a few matts to work out. I'm hoping this will pass soon ;-)

[Joan Bollaert]

The only way to prevent matting is to brush at least every other day.  Groomers will never comb out matts and they are clipper happy and will automatically shave your dog down.  Quicker.  It's a shame they shaved your Lucy as she could have probably been combed out with some time put into it..

My Cooper is curly and requires combing/brushing very often, but it's worth it and the knots come out easily.  I call them knots and not matts.  Matting is when the hair is clumped into a wad tightly against the skin and there is no chance of combing out.  Knots are just that..and can be dealt with, bu not by a groomer who won't take the time to do so.  I've been told it hurts them because it's pulling the hair out.  Not true.  My Cooper doesn't mind at all and lays very still enjoying it and the attention.

Curly coats are a nigtmare.

[Jen, Buddy, & Kevin]

Lucy looks just like Kevin did at 9 months and the matting was awful. The best thing that could have happened was our groomer cutting off all of the puppy fuzz and getting him pretty short. Now we have really soft, kinda tight curls that don't shed. Activet brushes have been the other best thing for Kevin's coat - I use the green and the purple on him bc he's tighter around the face and tail and looser on the body.

[Lucy & Ellie]

Thanks so much, everyone!

I am pretty sure these were bad mats, not just knots.  Lucy looks like a completely different dog all shaved, but whatever - i'll grow back! :)  Do you think it will grow back and look different?  I really like the shaggy look too.  I hope that doesn't go away!

So this Les Pooch/Activet brush - it's hard to find? I just googled it and there are lots of Activet brushes - how do I know what to get?

[Carolyn Shusterman]

Lucy, For your mini you would only need a single wide brush.  My Les Pooch brush is green, it is perfect for our minis.  Some of the doodle owners are getting their brush from www.groomershelper.com.

[Lucy & Ellie]

Ok sounds good - I'm ordering one!  What is the difference in the pro soft green and the mat zapper red, right next to the green brush?  They look the same...

[Carolyn Shusterman]

Lucy, go for the 'pro' it has both sides with the bent pins.  Beside you are going to become a PRO with your new brush.  Our Sydney is 14 months old and still get mats.  His back is cut 1 inch long so my husband can can easiely keep him mat free now.

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Get green brush :-)

[Julie, Eloise & Beasley]

Both your girls are adorable!  Lucy's coat looks basically identical to Eloise's puppy coat (I don't have many of her puppy pics on here, but there are a few where you can see it looks similar).  It was super soft, and curly when she was wet, but it didn't look curly when she was blow dried.  Eloise matted terribly as her adult coat came in, and though I brushed and combed religiously, it was a lot of work - and lasted for 2 or 3 months.  As disappointing as it may be that she was shaved, in some respects this will be easier now that you won't be brushing mats out of that long puppy hair.  (And don't feel bad about it!  It grows back :))

The Les Pooches brush (now ActiVet, as Leslie mentioned) really did make all the difference for us, too.  I had/have the CC T-brush and a nice comb, but neither held a candle to the LP brush once I got it, about a month or so into her coat change. 

Regardless of what you use, it's important to get the brush/comb ALL the way down to the base of the hair at the skin, which should be easy to start now since she's short.  Also, do a search for "line brushing" on here - that's really the best method to approach the brushing (moreso as her coat gets longer again).  I still brush Eloise this way. 

The good news is that, if her adult coat turns out like Eloise's, it could be pretty easy to brush and keep tangle-free.  She's wavy and soft (still curly when wet) - and she loooooves getting brushed, which helps since we have to brush regularly.  :)   

[Lucy & Ellie]

They do look similar!  Eloise is so cute :)

Thanks for the tips!!

[Helga, Nimbus, Sierra, Clooney]

I think Lucy's coat is similar to Nimbus'. It used to be enough to just brush him with the Chris Christensen T-brush. But then, all of a sudden, he started getting mats. When is this coat change going to be  over, anyway????

I have to brush him at least every other day. Less than a month ago I finally got the Activet brush (after waiting on the Les poochs brush for months) from a company called Furst Class Lounge. After I ordered it, it was shipped really fast.

I got the green one. With that brush my brushing time is a lot shorter. I also have the comb with the rotating teeth.

Nimbus is 14 months old, just like Sydney.