7 secrets to brush your Doodle effectively and efficiently

[Wanda Klomp]

7 secrets to brush effectively and efficiently

You might say brushing isn’t difficult.

However it often happens that Labradoodles that are brushed regularly have nasty tangles and the owner doesn’t know what to do about them.

How can that happen? But more importantly, how can you brush your Labradoodle and guarantee that the fur remains tangle free?

Here is how:

1. Use the right brush:

In the Labradoodle world there is only one brand that counts: Les Poochs. This is the only brand of brush that has needles long enough to reach the skin (where many tangles reside) The number and curvature of the needles and designed to achieve the best possible grip on the fur. No other brush then Les Poochs is suitable for keeping the fur of your Labradoodle tangle free.

Do you have a medium or large Doodle? Always use a wide Les Poochs brush. The small version is fine if you have a puppy, but as soon as the puppy grows and the fur gets thicker you need a wide Les Poochs brush to get the right grip on the fur.

The thicker, woolly of curly the fur is, the tougher the brush bed needs to be. Choose a purple or red Les Poochs brush because with this type of fur a green or other colored Les Poochs brush doesn’t have enough grip on the fur which makes for superficial brushing and a fur that’s not tangle free.

2. When brushing, start at the back 

Not all Doodles consider being brushed as their favorite hobby. The brushing of the belly is often painful. Brushing the tail isn’t fine, brushing of the head indicates a restriction and the forepaws are completely off limits.

However if you start brushing at the back and from below (the paws) and work your way up (the back) while brushing in the direction of the hairs, you’ll help your Doodle get used to the feeling and thus having it feel less “exciting” for her when you reach the front.

Moreover it provides you with a system so you don’t miss a single spot.

3. Don’t put pressure on the brush

When you stroke the les Poochs brush over your own hand, you will feel just how sharp the needles are and how painful it can feel for your Doodle.

A lot of owners are brushing too fast resulting in a biting and rebelling Doodle. This behavior is not surprising when you realize that your Doodle is in pain and is trying to free itself. Therefore use the brush as an extension of your own hand and stroke the fur. The needles will do the work.

4. Always use a wide toothed comb without rotating teeth 

Have you brushed your Doodle from head to toe? Then you need to comb the fur from head to toe with a wide toothed comb. This way you won’t mis any tangles. Only when you get used to combing the fur with the wide toothed comb, you know you have brushed your Doodle effectively and efficiently.

5. Never brush more than once or twice a week

It may seem wise to brush your Doodle as often as possible, but it’s not! 
A skin that gets “beaten” that often will protect itself by producing more hairs, which makes the fur thicker, firmer and harder to keep tangle free.

6. Don’t forget hard to reach body parts

It looks like a piece of cake, but the ears and tail need to be brushed too. Be extra careful because the skin is very fragile. No brushing will give you several nasty tangles as the ears and tails are always moving.

In addition there are placed that are often overlooked and very tangle sensitive. Think of the paws, heels, butt, armpits, abdomen, groin, nose, beard, below the ears and neck. Especially the body parts that have a lot of movement, pressure or encounter friction are tangle sensitive and hurt the most when they are tangled of dirty.

7. Don’t let your Doodle take control!

Many Doodle owners stop brushing when their Doodle isn’t in the mood. Doodles are very inventive creatures and they know the ropes: some Doodles start squealing of whining, some get mobile and start “dancing” on tables. Others chew on the brush of your hand, and the most clever ones use licking, hanging or standing.

It may sound harsh, but if you allow this behavior the Doodle holds all the cards and it will be much more difficult to brush here in the future.

Each dog will try you. Especially in the beginning. When you give in tot his kind of resistance, you basically tolerate this behavior. But even worse that this works!

This way you only strengthen this behavior which will lead to biting and aggression with your Doodle.

So never stop brushing when your Doodle exhibits this behavior, but let them know it’s not okay. Gently brush the fur and reward your Doodle when she exhibits positive behavior (calm and acceptance). Practice this daily and your creating an ideal brush dog and also a dog that will listen better and have more fun with.

I hope these seven secrets will help you solve the brushing mystery and I wish you a lot of brushing pleasure!

Do you have any questions? Please don’t hesitate to ask them on my contact page or FaceBook page.

Want to know more about Doodle Basic Grooming or maybe even attend a workshop?

Please visit my site for more information

Until the next blog!

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Greetings, Wanda and Joy

[Ann Kendig]

Great tips, Wanda. I'm lucky, when I get out my brushes my dogs all come to me and want to be brushed.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Wow thanks for this! Never ever started at the back!!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

While I can agree with much of what you say, I have to respectfully disagree with the only brush once or twice a week.  Particularly during the coat change.  When a doodle is going through the coat change if you don't brush for a week you could end up with a shaved doodle.  They can mat so quickly.  I will also say that we brush our girls daily (I say we, actually DH does) and never less than every other day and I don't see any issues with their coats.  I do realize there are many types of doodle coats. 

[Donna K & Quincy]

Why don't you like the rotating tine comb? I find the wide tooth comb misses the smaller tangles that are just beginning. I lived for 5 years without a Les Poochs brush but I wouldn't turn it down if someone were to give me one. :>)

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

I wish every new puppy and doodle owner would read this blog!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Thank you.  And the 8th wonder of the world is don't brush at all!

I dont, and it's the best thing for my dog's coat.

 

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Thanks Wanda!  Great tips