How long can we let our doodles go with matted hair????

[Jill Mooney]

Ok, so here it is almost winter, and my beautiful Abbey is matted!!! it's starting to get serious, and i was wondering if we can make it through the winter without having to shave her!! I really don't want to, but I'm probably sure what you are all going to tell me!!! 

[Bonnie and Kona]

Abbey is very beautiful! Unfortunately the mats are more than unattractive, they can be painful for the dog. If you get her clipped now the hair will start to grow back before it gets too very cold. You'll be surprised how quickly it grows. I hope you do not have to have her shaved. If you are able to get the mats out with a mat zapper before you take her to the groomer you will have better luck with that.

[Jill Mooney]

What's a mat zapper?? I sometimes cut them out but now it seems there are too many!

[Jeanne, Tura and Dolly]

Imagine taking a handful of hair and pulling. That's what is happening to your pup in each mat. If you are unable to get the mats out with a mat cutter of some kind, then you should probably shave her down. Very uncomfortable for your dog. You will have to buy a sweater for her!

[Jill Mooney]

Thanks for the quick responses! I was doing so good with her, taking her to groomer every 3 weeks, then was out of town LONG ENOUGH for them to get bad!  Guess now I'll have to get a cute sweater!! Thanks!

[Jeanne, Tura and Dolly]

Jill that happened to me twice! I left my dogs with a fellow doodle owner and both times I came back to a matted dog. Had to be completely shaved both times. UGH. Check out the grooming group for info on matting tools. I use one from Safari,looks like a 4 pronged fork thing, very sharp.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

I think in the long run you are going to need to have her shaved.  Along with the mats becoming very painful they also draw the skin into them.  Therefore, you have to be extremely careful when you cut that you do not accidentally get any skin.  It is always best to pinch with your fingers next to the skin before cutting.  Also, if she ends up needing to be shaved really talk to the groomer about razor burn or nicking.  This is something that people here have come up against and their next discussion is always..."What to Do About Razor Burn".  I personally, never take a naked blade to my Gracie Doodle.  I always use a comb attachment though those won't go through the mats.  I use the closest (smallest number) attachment on her tummy and sanitary area so she never has had a burn or nick!  Also, if there are no mats on the tail have them leave it alone and the same way with the head and face.  Some groomers just like to completely shave our Doodles and it is sad.  So sorry you have this problem.  There really isn't any solution but to shave but that can be done without discomfort if the Groomer is good and takes their time.  Believe me...we have all been there.  It is sort of a right of passage for the Doodle entering adult hood!!!  lol  Good Luck!  Let us know how it goes.

[Jill Mooney]

Well, i just made an appt w/my groomer. She's really very good, so I trust her. But it makes me SICK to think we let this happen! Because we all know how AWFUL they look after that!!!! I'm learning!  thanks!

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

It will be fun buying her a nice sweater or jacket.  She will look so sweet and comfy!

[Jeanne, Tura and Dolly]

I don't know if you will feel better or worse but here is Dolly in July and now after the shave down has grown out.

[Jill Mooney]

She's beautiful in both of them!!! But a little NAKED in top! hahahaha guess i'll just buy cute sweaters. Thanks!!!!! She looks like my abbey when i keep mine cut RIGHT! haaha  thanks.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Wow, that was really a "close cut". Monty gets matted as well, but fortunately, we have not had to have him shaved THIS close. I got upset when he came back from the groomers last Christmas looking like a skinny shaved sheep. I'm over it now. Just like the rest of the people say: the hair grows very fast, so no worries. Even if they have to shave Abbey down, she can enjoy wearing a nice sweater for a couple of weeks. :)

[Kaira]

The groomer I used shaved Remy that short and I really did not handle it well - at all. He looked naked and just awful. I'm so glad his hair is finally growing back!