Turning our recent surprise shaving into a positive- help please!

[Kara]

So glad to see this resource! Our new addition to the family, Zoe, is a nine month old goodlendoodle. She has been with us for 2 months. I took her yesterday for her first grooming and she had to be shaved! I feel awful. She is still adorable, but not quite herself. 

I would like to avoid this in the future, so we are looking at this shaving as a clean slate. We are at the beginning of the learning curve, so any tips to keep our Zoe her fluffy self would be greatly appreciated. 

Thanks, 

Kara

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Kara,sorry to hear that Zoe had to be shaved. :( Although sometimes this is a groomer's solution to a minor matting issue so it is hard to tell if matting was really a major problem. If you use the search feature in the grooming group you will find a ton of information about everything grooming related.  Some of the grooming techniques will depend on Zoe's coat type- wool, fleece, etc.

Here is one discussion posted by a DK'er who's doodle has a fleece coat that might give you some ideas.

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/doodlegrooming/forum/topics/how-i...

Also there are many videos available on You Tube demonstrating  Labradoodle and Goldendoodle grooming. The "Grooming Sully" series has six parts but again you will need to find a series that is suitable to Zoe's coat type. Although some things apply to all coat types.

You're right about have a "clean slate" now which gives you some time to research and get prepared for grooming her as it gets longer.  We went through the same thing with Tara when she was about that age. Zoe is probably shedding out her puppy coat and this is a time when mats can become an issue so fast! Good luck!

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

Try a wooden pin brush while her coat is short. I call mine the 'spa' brush. It can't hurt even newly shaved dogs. Keep up with the pin brush and then add a steel comb to the session. As the coat grows you will need something like a Les Poochs brush to break thru matting. Use a finishing spray regularly. You use a finishing spray at the beginning of brushing as it helps the comb go thru the coat easier.

The biggest help to keeping a long coat is a high speed blower. You can blow the dust and dead skin out of the coat. It cuts brushing time in half if used regularly and it is great for blowing the water out of coats at bath time. Blowing water out of the coat is the orginal purpose for the high speed blower.

It is very dry and dusty here usually so I blow my dogs coats at least once a week and then use a finishing spray. I can go quite a long time on my more mature coats without brushing. Coats on young dogs need brushing regularly.

 

 

[Kara]

Thank you!! This a great help. We will get the tools and get prepared for when her hair grows back. She's got a little of her spunk back today so I think we are all adjusting to the new do. Thanks again!

[Kimmy & Chewie]

To avoid future surprises, you should take this grooming instructions (see file attached) to your groomer :)