How to brush your pup so he won't hate you...

[Carol B & Pilot]

I do believe my 10 month male is blowing his puppy coat.  I didn't realize, and his ears got pretty matted.  I've taken care of his ears, but now he's skittish if I touch them... 

 

I've read the posts, and I have the right equipment.  I need to brush the rest of him but can't get him to sit still for very long (shocker, I know; then he gets messy between brushing sessions!).  What are your tricks?

 

1 last question, do you use a de-tangler or similar?  What product do you like?  Thanks in advance! 

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

Doodles do not typically blow their coats as that is something that occurs in shedding dogs.  If he is going through his coat change you will probably notice a lot of matting that you didn't have before (very frustrating period of time!!) 

Did you look inside his ears to make sure that they are clean and "fresh" smelling and not red, irritated, or smelly?  Ollie doesn't like me to touch his ears when he has a painful ear infection. 

Do you put him up on anything when you brush him out?  I used to try and brush Cubbie while sitting on the floor and he would just run away.  I bought a grooming table and that made a world of difference because now he can't escape.  You can always try using the bathroom counter instead of purchasing a table.  Give him some treats and a lot of verbal praise during the grooming process and hopefully he will come to enjoy the time together or at least tolerate it. 

I have a product called Snarly Dog that I like to use. I can't remember who makes it though.  I know that there are a couple of other products that people use but can't remember them off the top of my head.  You should be able to find some info on them in past discussions.  I have to get back to work now, but if I get a chance later, i'll come back on and see if i can find some of those old discussions.

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

First thing to remember is that the equipment is meant to do the work with very little pressure. It is designed for groomers to use all day long without muscle strain. So go soft. Second is never tug enough to cause pain. I have my comb very relaxed in my hand and it turns to come out of the coat if it snags. Then I know to either work gently on that spot or cut it in the same direction that the coat grows. Then I start gently with the brush again before going back to the comb. Run the brush on your skin so it doesn't scratch. That's how much pressure to apply. If you hurt them they will have no reason to trust you again. I have a wooden pin CC brush that my dogs love. I call it the spa brush. It does not get thru matts, but it feels good to them, even on the tummy so they relax and enjoy. Everytime they have been thru a tough part, I use the spa brush again for a few strokes to relax them.

Make sure you have a brushing table, preferably with a loop. Get the dog used to the table in small increments and with treats. I even saw a picture of a table with a raised feeding bowl on it. The type that gives the food out just a few pieces at a time.

You can use baby powder to help the brush and comb go thru.

If the coat is very matted, just shave and try again as the coat grows in. It is not fair to try and brush out a very matted coat.

Also, there is a book out about clicker training your dog for grooming. Hope these few ideas help.

 

[Doug, Micki, Dawson & Mya]

Ditto on what Amy and Barb said. As far as a detangler, I know quite a few people recommend "Cowboy Magic" detangler. While these detanglers do actually help, the manufacturers would like you to think that their product will take a knot out of a piece of rope. Keep in mind they do help, but they do not preform miracles!

[Diane, Hurley and Sidney]

I wear Hurley out playing with him before I groom him.  And some times I give him a bully stick to chew on while I am grooming hime.  I spray Mane 'n Tail de-tangler over him as I brush him.  If there is a mat I spray a lot of the de-tangler on the spot , massage it with my fingers and then gradually work the comb through it until it opens up.   Sometimes I do have to cut the mat out as it is to tightly tangled.   I do brush him on the floor. He just lies there and I roll him over when I need to get the other side or his underside.

Hope that helps.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I use Cowboy Magic on severe mats and Horse Mane 'n Tail Detangler Spray on less severe ones.  Both contain silicone so be careful where you spray.  Last time I brushed Clancy I decided to spray him to see if he would feel softer and perhaps I would get more fur out as I brushed.  When we were done he laid on the tile floor at the bottom of the stairs, leaving it very slick.  I used PineSol on the spot.

[Puppy Love]

Great question. You just discribed my nightly battle with the mat. Jackson sits a long time and he is so patient. However, I just can't seem to keep up with the mats. Everyday a new one appears.

[Kimmy & Chewie]

I started grooming/brushing puppy Chewie while he's sleeping or really sleepy :P So I sit down next to him on the floor and brush gently.

Less resistance. If he wakes up, I let him sniff the brush, give him a treat +praises and he goes back to sleep.

[Carol B & Pilot]

Thank you to all who replied.  I appreciate the suggestions.  I bought a de-tangler, which seems to help in some spots, but the getting up and moving around is what makes it tough.  I don't have room to get a grooming table, I might try having him on the coffee table.  Or, see if we can find a calm moment (! what are those...), maybe after his morning walk and breakfast and have him lay down.  Like with most things, consistency on my part, (and gradually working up to longer stretches of brushing) is what will get him to sit still for it.  Yeah, that and treats...

[Chelsie]

Hi Carol...I too am running into more mats as Sam's adult coat comes in. I do use our coffee table to help when I need him to stand still, like under his ears, armpits, and legs. I just stick my yoga matt on top so he doesn't slide around, I sit on the couch and have my own grooming table and no cost to me! If he won't stand there, I have rigged a piece of wood that I can clamp to the table and put his leash around it. He does get Zuke's minis throughout the process then usually a chew at the end forms job well done. If he is being extra rowdy one day, then I just wait until evening time and brush him when he is sleeping!

[Diane, Hurley and Sidney]

Hurley was matting like crazy as part of moving from puppy to adult coat, even though I brushed him every night, until I started using Mane 'n Tail.  Now he rarely tangles. And I brush him every other night instead of every night.   I make sure he is worn out from playing before brushing him.  Oh, don't know if any of you have heard of Mystic Sea products.  When I gave Hurley a bath a few days ago , after shampooing and conditioning, I used Mystic Sea Mud Mask on him.  Wow!   He is so soft and fluffy and I don't blow dry him.  I just let him dry naturally and then brush him out.  Absolutely no tangles.

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

If you are looking for an inexpensive rinse after a bath use the lemon water rinse. It makes the coat super soft. The effects do not last as long as professional grooming creme rinses or finishing sprays, but it still does a great job. I use Stazco or Best Shot.

[Diane, Hurley and Sidney]

Thank you, Barb.  I will try the lemon water rinse.