Yikes! The shave word has been used!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

My groomer knows that we only want Ned scissor cut and she does her best each time and gets most of the mats out, and we brush and comb him pretty much every other day for about 40 minutes to 2 hours. The groomer partner keeps telling us to cut him down with a 3/4" blade and we would be done with the cottony puppy fur once and for all. She guarantees that his adult coat will grow out and that this terrible matting would be over. My angel groomer says that Ned actually has some bald spots where we have pulled out too much hair. The groomer partner says we are setting Ned up to hate grooming by us or anyone. I can tell you right now that he hates being brushed and runs as soon as he sees grooming tools. I gave permission for my angel groomer to do what she thinks best so I pick him up in an hour. He will probably look like a poor rescue dog with bald patches. Any one out there - if your dood was shaved, did the adult fur grow in? Does your doodle mat less once there is any fur to mat? Will Ned sunburn?

[Lynne B]

Beck hasn't started matting yet, but the groomer said he would within a few months, so I have never had to deal with that problem, but I wouldn't call 3/4" shaved- I think it would look cute

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

Because of the summer heat here in Georgia we had Harlow clipped to 3/4" last Tuesday. She looks like a big curly teddy bear now. She definitely isn't shaved and appears to be much more comfortable. I think Ned will look cute.

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

3/4 inch isn't that bad. I once had to get Yankee shaved to the skin. His adult fur is just beautiful and he rarely gets mats. Don't worry, it will be just fine. Hair grows!

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

Puppy coats do not fall out or grow out, they need to be brushed and combed out. You cannot shave them off. When brushing and combing, avoid tugging by using matte busting techniques like scissoring in the direction of the matte. Always lift the coat and brush and comb from underneath. Do not try and start from the top and expect to get thru the coat that way. It is too harsh for the dog. I posted some brushing suggestions a few weeks ago so you should be able to find it by using the tags. I start at the foot and brush all the coat up the wrong way. Then I brush down in tiny layers using dematting techniques as I go. Using a product like Mane and Tail is very useful at this time. tugging at a matte to remove it is not the best way. It is better to cut out any mattes that look like a piece of felt. If you can still see the individual hairs, you can comb it out. Dematting tools meant for double coated dogs will damage a doodle coat.
And yes, a dog can sunburn.
A 3/4 inch blade is a nice length for summer and will make the brushing easier.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thank you all. My angel groomer pulled it off again in spite of the partner groomer and scissored Ned. He is short but not shaved. I remembered that you told us earlier that shaving wouldn't solve the problems and my angel groomer (thank goodness) agrees. Her partner is so old school with poodles that she recommends shaving off the puppy coat. I think the partner groomer was trying for a shorter shave even though she told me 3/4" blade.
He still had some mats when he came home and I used Cowboy Magic and was able to get them out. I do try to use the techniques you have taught us, Barb, but obviously I am not very effective. In reviewing your tips, I haven't been getting him wet to the skin with finishing spray when I am done - I think once you said water and then another time finishing spray. Which do you recommend as best? If finishing spray, what specific product. I hate making Ned go through such grooming torture. I think he gets dirty also and then mats - like people hair does. However whenever we wash him, his fur and skin seem to be dried out - I think I don't rinse him well enough, so I try to brush rather than wash.

I have another appointment for 3 weeks. I think I will just keep him this short for a while - he still looks like a doodle, just a short and very cute one. I can easily live with this.

[Leslie and Halas]

He looks great. I'm enjoying Halas' shorter haircut, too. It's easier to keep it matt-free. Good luck!

[Heidi]

Hi Nancy,
Ned looks great! But I get what your talking about shaving. I really like them to have a coat. But on the shiny side at least it's summer. And it didn't end up being a shave. It bet he's loving the cooler new him.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Hi Everyone, We all seem to be in the stages of trying to learn and understand grooming techniques. I am curious about using the 3/4 blade. Are you all doing it on the legs too or just the body??? Gracie is two years old and she can still get mats in her hair. About the longest I seem to be able to let her hair grow is a little over 2" and then it becomes harder to keep nicely combed. I do comb her every other day. The mats usually are under the arms and groin, behind the ears and for some reason there always one right in the middle of her chest. Also, between the webbed toes she gets them badly. And the really fine little soft hairs on the tummy gets little knots. I always use the dematter tool if I can't break them up with my fingers. She obviously no longer has puppy hair but she does still get mats. I always manage to totally get her mat free with my brushing and combing. Every now and then I do need to cut them out but only as a last resort. I never leave them in...they would just continue to "GROW"!!! But, I am curious about whether to use the 3/4" blade on the legs and all over the body...Not head or face!! Thanks

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Well, this morning I put a picture of mat-free Ned - we finished getting mats out yesterday. Tonight, he has lots of mats again!! On to brushing and combing - I hope they come out easily at least!