What is the best shampoo and conditioner for a doodle ?

[Theresa Washburn]

I bought (but have not used yet)  Horse mane and tail at the advise of an online doodle owner.  I wonder if anyone has used it before?  Or is there a better choice?  Also, when do you first take your doodle in to be groomed?  I brush him everyday now to get him used to handling that, but his hair is like a soft wooly feel right now , will that also change as he gets older?

Thanks in advance     

Theresa

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I think that you will find that several of our members use the Mane and Tail Shampoo and Conditioner.  I'm not sure there is any one perfect shampoo as all of the doodle coats are so different, then you add in medical issues like allergies and things like that and people are using all sorts of different things.  You might join the Grooming Group if you haven't already as there are lots of great ideas there as far as grooming whether you are going to do it yourself or go to a groomer. Most people recommend getting them in for a puppy trim etc. as soon as they have had enough shots to be safe to do so.  This just gets them used to the environment and being handled by someone other than you.  If you plan to do it yourself, but obviously that part doesn't matter.  Chances are that his coat will change some as he goes through the coat change, but some change more than others so you never really know.

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

I use SPA Comfort Shampoo & Conditioner.  

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I happen to like the Horse Mane 'n Tail product but there are many others that work great also.  Eventually you will either need to go to a groomer or trim yourself.  If you are going to use a groomer, I would suggest that you take the dog periodically and get a bath and sanitary trim just to get them used to going. One advantage of using a groomer is that they can critique how well you are brushing and combing so that you keep ahead of the matting stage that most doodles go through.

[Ginny Nightingale]

I agree with all and I groom doodles and use that conditioner-but not always--if they already have a soft coat, I find that the conditioner causes the coat to attract more dirt. I have no proof, but it seems that way on my doodle. I use it on coarser coats. I do not think it protects from tangles in the long run. I have a leave-on spray that has silicon in it called T.H.E. Stuff that works well to shed dirt and remove tangles. I think a lot of people use something called Cowboy magic too. 

I like to see doodles for the first time before the age of 6 months to get them used to me as a groomer--they remember me that next time and are less nervous. I usually just do a trim and get them used to clipper noises etc.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Conditioners and other leave-in products do attract dirt and  even worse, pollen; anything that's floating around in the air. One of the recommendations for both dogs and people who have seasonal allergies is not to use any conditioners or other products on the dog (other than shampoo), for that reason.

[Ginny Nightingale]

PS--whatever shampoo you decide on, I usually dilute it in a different bottle 2/3 water, 1/3 shampoo--it saves money and makes it easier to thoroughly rinse it out of the coat. They get just as clean.

[Heather & Brinkley]

Hmm!  Good tip!  I always struggle to get the shampoo out of Brinkley's thick coat.  It takes forever! 

[Camilla and Darwin]

We used Mane and Tail shampoo and conditioner on Darwin for quite a while. It always worked just fine. We also liked to use Johnson and Johnson's tear free baby shampoo... 

[Lynda Kamrath]

Try it.  I have used it and like it for my dogs, but they have no problems with any of the shampoos.  I still use puppy shampoo on their faces, but any kind of shampoo on the rest of their body.