Coat Change & Line Brushing- UPDATED

[Star and Goldie]

First, let me say I'd be lost without DK! There is no way I could take care of my doodle without this site.

I'm pretty well armored for the Mat Battle 2013.  I've got the Safari Dematter Comb, The Les Pooch brush, Andis Steel Comb and Cowboy Magic Detangler.  Even with the help of all of these awesome tools (that I probably wouldn't have even known about without DK), I'd give myself a C- at best on keeping up with the mats during this COAT CHANGE-A-PALOOZA! I keep finding mats left and right. The Cowboy Magic is definitely helping along with the Dematter comb and brushes but I just can't seem to get her mat free and keep finding some pretty radical ones that are too tough to get out in one sitting.

Another thing I've started to study up on is line brushing. I've been trying it but so far I haven't quite gotten it down.

Does anyone have a good line brushing video that features a doodle with longer hair and the proper technique to use? I can't figure out if I should be starting at the back and work my way down to the belly or start at the belly and work my way up.  Which way pulls less?

Also, I can't seem to find anywhere how long the coat change lasts. I'm really struggling and am about to throw in the towel and go for a dreaded shave down:( Someone please tell me it doesn't last forever that I'm not doing as bad as I think I am... is it really this bad for everyone during this time??

I really wanted to let Goldie use this kiddie pool all summer to stay cool.  She had an absolute blast but it seemed like the mats really took over after that so it looks like we will be putting the pool away for good and keep her dry this year!

How do you let your doods get wet without a mat invasion following? I brushed her out before she got in the pool and I used Cowboy Magic and a ShamWow when she got out. They seemed to help but not enough!

7/25 UPDATE:

Including an update since the update itself has turned into a little discussion.

Goldie got shaved down today. She took her down to 1 inch. I provided a picture of what I wanted and the face was not even close to what was pictured. Goldie's body, tail and legs look beautiful but the face cut is not what I asked for. The Groomer left her ears long and a poof on top of her head. I do believe this short coat will be easier to manage and get me through the coat change and I LOVE LOVE her velvety teddy bear body but I am pretty bummed with the end result of the face- really just the ears... they're really bothering me for some reason! Maybe it's just because it's so clearly NOT what I asked for. I even left the picture with her.... did she even look at it?

HERE IS WHAT I ASKED FOR:

HERE IS WHAT I GOT:

The ears are killing me. If the wind picks up, she may just fly away ;)

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Bless your heart. I truly admire those who are able to keep up with a dog's coat, the dog REMAINS happy and sane through it all, and they both have fun.
I wont give advice since I have the coat from hell. Andis 2-Speed is our friend.

I too, have a huge tool bucket full of products. Again, 7 blade and off we go for summer

[Star and Goldie]

Oh I definitely won't be using any type of clippers. I would not trust myself with those in any way, shape or form. I barely trust myself with nail clippers or face trimming scissors and even then I have no clue what I'm doing and mess it up EVERY TIME!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Clippers are safer than shears. I've done some damage with those.

What I do, I shear him off like a sheep and hide him for a week.  But, I do  have a coat that is twice as thick as a Standard Poodle Coat, at least.  Poodles have wiry curly hair but Spud has two or three times that. 

He loves his hair cut. I hate the look but he gets so happy and silly.  Like he has on new tennis shoes. He jumps higher, loves to be petted, etc. Just a happier guy.

Again, I just hide my dog  :)  In two weeks, he looks just fine. 

Your coat is completely different.  A much easier coat to maintain.  Have some faith in yourself.

Take her down to an inch for summer and to get through this coat change.  Stop fighting it.. it is a loosing battle for most.   We sympathize

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Good advice Joanne!  The mats are really hard to deal with for awhile and since it is the hot time of they year, why not?

[F, Calla & Luca]

I agree. Even if you just take her down to two inches life will be much easier for now.

[F, Calla & Luca]

My two were just groomed and the groomer charged me $10 each for extra conditioning due to mats, which was really ridiculous. They are the kind you can just separate with your fingers. I am getting sick of the whole thing. And poor Calla is not quite herself since I brought them home yesterday. But anyway Adina posted line brushing videos.
http://www.doodlekisses.com/video/2065244:Video:36241

[Star and Goldie]

Thanks so much for the video. I wish it was a little more detailed but I think I got it. It seems I may do better if I start at the bottom and work my way up to the back.
Goldie is only 20 pounds. I could not even begin to imagine trying to handle all of this on a bigger dog!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Line brushing makes a huge difference but I have to agree that taking a doodle's coat down when they are in the dreaded coat change is incredibly helpful. Kona's coat was miserable until he was cut to about 3/4 inch. Then it was easy to keep up with and by the time it grew out he was pretty much through the worst of it. It only lasts a few months. 

[Anita - Thunder, Noodle, Sparky]

Thank you for posting this!

[Cathy, Fozzie & Shaggy]

Good luck Star. I can't offer help, Fozzie & Shaggy are both pretty short which is so much easier on them, they don't love being groomed, and on me. If I find a big mat though, I use thinning shears on the mat. I do one or two snips right on the mat, which loosens it to be combed out without cutting a whole chunk of hair off.
Goldie looks so happy with herself in the pool!"

[Anita - Thunder, Noodle, Sparky]

I have to keep mine shaved down during the summer. It is just too darn hot in AZ not to, and then with swimming on top of it, it is a mess, and the matting hurts them so much.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

You don't have to shave her down, but it would be easier if you went shorter until she doesn't seem to be matting as badly. She can still look doodlishus and fluffy.  It seems that if I spray the dogs with Horse Mane 'N Tail Detangler either before or after they get wet, they are less tangled. The mat change can be fairly short or loooonnnnnngggggg.  Ned matted badly for about 2 years.  Now I can go as long as two weeks without brushing him and can either brush/comb out mats or slice through them and comb them out. It takes 40 - 60 minutes to do a thorough brushing. 

LOVE the picture with her 'fluffy' socks.

Ned at his shortest at 11 months: