Does your Doodle Enjoy Being Brushed?

[Rebecca Chynoweth]

How do I get Cooper to tolerate regular brushing? He is 5 months and he does not have mattes. I have a 2 sided brush and unless I have peanut butter on a rawhide to distract him I can not get him to let me brush him.

Any suggestions? I was hoping to spend some quiet time daily brushing him and eventually get my daughter to help in this area.

Rebecca

[Christine & Shelby]

Shelby hates it.... I typically brush her after extensive exercise where she is so tired, she just doesn't want to be bothered trying to resist.  This is also one of the reasons I keep her so short in the summer when she swims and we are more active hiking, etc.   The shorter coat makes her pretty low maintenance!

[Lynette Main]

Mine are  all food modivated,as long as they know they will get a treat,they're good. Mya will just flip over so her belly get brushed first. None of the like their feet brushed. I started off first with a old hair brush. It didn't pull and they got used to it. I use a comb and a good slicker and a great groomer. When they are little the mats sneek up on you. There are some great sites to on and the groomer gives wonderful information and direction.

[Rebecca Chynoweth]

Well thanks for all the replies. I guess Cooper is doing ok after hearing your experiences. I give him some peanut butter on a rawhide stick or carrot and he sits for a few minutes with that while I brush. He seems to hate having his legs and feet done though like many of yours do. I will keep on it!

[Donna P.]

I have a bearded collie that hates being brushed so much that I have to take her to the groomer every week to get brushed out. I resolved when we got Bayley, the goldendoodle, that I would do my best to get her to accept the grooming. I started the first week we brought her home, and just ran a soft brush through her hair, giving her a treat every few seconds. I gradually increased the brushing time, and lengthened the treat intervals, but I still give treats now, and I make sure that they are very yummy treats, usually a hot dog, cause she really loves them. I use a variety of tools, I have a green Les Pooch (narrow size) which I like for the legs and face and ears, but it doesn't get through her thick back hair very well, so I use a slicker brush, and 10 inch comb. For stubborn mats, I use a mat breaker, a small tool with 6 curved blades, holding the mat with my fingers next to the skin, and breaking up the mat. But it is much easier, and kinder for the dog, to brush before the mats appear. I try to do her every other day. She doesn't like it, but she is very patient. I never leave her on the table for more than a half hour. If I'm not done by then, I put her down and play games for a while before starting again.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Ned has a very thick poodle-like coat  that mats so he hates to be brushed - of course because it isn't pleasurable to have your hair yanked on.  My husband and I have always brushed him together - he hold and snuggles while I brush.

Clancy has a much easier, shedding coat and just lays on one side then the other on command.