Weekly Brushing

[Dean G]

My goldendoodle penny is about 15 weeks old and so far I have been brushing a few times a week using a slicker brush and then combing with a 8 blade rake. I start by going against the hair growth with the slicker then using the rake with the hair growth. Am I doing this right?? 

When I use the rake I seem to pull up a fairly large ball of hair by the end and I only have a mini doodle 10lbs. Am I just over doing the combing of the under coat?

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

A regular steel comb is what you need. Blade rakes are not generally good for doodle coats.

[jeanne & Lilly]

Just a suggestion, you may want to brush more frequently. When I let my Lilly's hair grow out last winter, I brushed everyday for 20-30 minutes. I found skipping a day or 2 wasn't worth it, it would take much much longer than 30 minutes to finish.

[Dean G]

Would you recommend just steel comb as well? 

[jeanne & Lilly]

Maybe I should, but I don't use a comb

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

A rotating pin comb is best and I agree that once a week is not enough. I brush every day. If I leave it for longer than three it is a major job. I was away last week-end and my partner is great at looking after Riley and Boris but he's not good at grooming, he thinks he's doing it but he's not!  After four days away it took me one hours brushing and combing on each of the boys last night.