Matted Doodle

[A Knox]

I have a sweet 11 month old Aussie Doodle... Over the summer my hubby took him to be groomed after he'd had a cast removed from a broken ankle.  As you can imagine he was terribly matted around the injury site, so I figured he'd be shaved in that area.   I was totally SHOCKED when we picked Mo up and he'd been shaved completely bare... He looked like a greyhound!  The groomer stated it was for the best, and that we needed to do a better job grooming him at home.  Since then I have been completely terrified to take him back to be groomed.  We had been managing him pretty well until his most recent bath.  All of the sudden the tangles have become nearly impossible to get out.   Is there any way to save his coat without having to shave him bare again?

I know!  I am a bad momma... but please any advice on helping us start over would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[Ann & Penny]

I recommend getting a high velocity vacuum. I'm a big believer. It not only dries Penny twice as fast, but it also helps blow out mats. Because the HV vac blows out cold air, you can press the nozzle close to the skin and blow out as many tangles as you can get. 

It is a pretty big investment but by far one of the best purchases I've made for Penny. We take her out a lot, so I have to wash her legs/paws fairly often. I use it to quick dry her legs. The good ones (k-9 series) run up to 260+. I got a metro vac for $140 (http://www.amazon.com/Metro-Commander-Durable-2-Speed-18000-Feet/dp...) and I love it so far. She hates the noise, so I stuff her ears with cotton balls and drape a towel over her head.

[Helen & Kirby]

Kirby had her leg pinned together when she was 8 months old too.  That and having to wear a cone really messed up her coat, so I understand what a cast would do on her leg.  Its not your fault, there is only so much you can do when the dog is healing from a break, and going thru the coat change at the same time!  Then, I, like you, gave her a bath.  All the millions of adorable spiral curls somehow fused together to create a huge mess of tangles and I had to have her shaved down.  However the groomer was able to leave a little lenght, so it wasn't really so bad.  So I never give her a bath myself anymore, She's just a high maintenance "Salon Dog"  but I do use Cowboy Magic, and Stazco products on her.  You can ask the groomer to leave as much length as possible, and use the Stazco coat conditioner -I took it to the groomers.  They loved it and said it helped to pull the mats away from the skin so they could leave the coat a little  longer.

 

[Micky, Derek & Colby]

I made the investment in the les pooches brush and a Matt zapper. So happy I did!! My doodle Derek is very prone to matting, and gets groomed professionally every 5-6 weeks. I brush him a few times a week in between. He hates it!!! I have been reading about the leave in conditioners and detanglers and have a question. Does Derek need to be bathed first, before using a spray detanglers? Can I just spray his dry coat and then brush him? Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I would love to make the brushing experience a bit easier on Derek.

[Helen & Kirby]

If the dog is not too dirty, yes you can spray the coat conditioner on without washing first.  Brush first, then spray a little detangler or rub on Cowboy Magic to keep the coat in top condition.  If you use Stazco, spray alot, let it dry, or dry with a hairdryer, then brush or comb last.  That helps break up the mats.

[Micky, Derek & Colby]

Thank you! That is what I was hoping!