Puppy grooming, summer grooming, and poop...

[Cynthia Shoe]

Our puppy is almost 9 months old and has been groomed a few times, but has not yet blown his puppy coat. We have an appointment this weekend for another groom, and we are wondering what we should be doing this time of year. As it is getting warmer, we are noticing that he is getting more tired out on our daily walks, and it seems to be from over heating. It hasn't gotten above mid-70's yet, so we are fearful when it gets to be in the 90's. Should we be shaving/cutting his coat for the spring/summer, or do doodles need a longer coat to protect themselves and keep cooler? I keep hearing different things. 

On top of this, since he has not yet blown his puppy coat, should we be doing anything right now, or wait for that transition? Or get it short now so it is easier to maintain when he transitions? 

And finally, sorry for the graphic content - we have been struggling with poop getting stuck around his butt hole. Does anyone else have that? It seems like recently, about once a week we have to 'excavate' or get him in the tub to clean off the area. Is this normal with the type of fur or perhaps because he has longer hair now? 

Thanks for any thoughts/suggestions!beau4.jpg

[Diane, Hurley and Sidney]

Hurley is a wavy fleece multi gen ALD and 4 years old and we live in the Las Vegas, Nv area - for reference.

 I struggled with the same thing you are wondering about - to trim or not to trim for summer.  It seems there are the two schools of thought and I did a fair share of research myself.  

Well, I loved Hurley in his long coat so went with the longer coat protection theory.  During the hot months I put booties on his paws and take him out after dark or early in the morning for our walk/runs (running started when he was two).   I had a children's plastic pool for him to play in and cool off in.  So for the first couple of years that was how our summers went.  Plus with the long coat I brushed him every day or every other day.

As for the blowing of his puppy coat, I think I would wait until he is past that part of the growth cycle but others may feel differently.  Yes, during that cycle there is a lot of brushing that has to be done.

Another thing.  The time I spend brushing Hurley is our special time.  He loves the pampering and just lays there while I brush him.  Then rolls over so I can address the other side.  He sulks if I miss a day.  LOL

Last year I gave into the trimming back for the summer.   In fact I just had it done a few weeks ago for this year.   The groomer did an amazing job and as much as I like the longer hair better he does seem to enjoy the shorter coat in summer.     I still follow the same summer routine of early morning or late evening walks, booties when running, hiking or walking.   But I don't have to brush him every night.  And I would not have changed waiting until he was 3 year old to start the shorter cut in summer.

As for the poop bottom, I didn't have much of that with Hurley.  

Hurley is a water dog so he never hesitates to jump into any body of water he can find.  

Here are pictures of Hurley in his winter coat and in his summer coat.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

You don't need to shave your dog down. The coat acts as an insulator to keep them cool. Trimming is down some, makes care easier.   If you don't want to get a full groom, you can get a sanitary trim.   While most do, some doodles don't have a huge change from their puppy coat to the adult one.

[Laura and Angus]

I agree with Nancy. Sounds like you need a sanitary trim. They clip them short around where they pee/poo, so they don't get messy. Very helpful for us. We make sure to keep our pup trimmed in the back area especially, since you don't wanna risk infection or putting poo around everywhere they sit lol