Basic grooming question for Australian Labradoodle Puppy

[KK]

Hello. I am new to this list. We are over the moon excited to bring home our 13 week Australian Labradoodle puppy in 2 days! I feel very prepared except in the area of grooming. Can anyone recommend a brush or any other grooming supplies to have on hand? I have read about the Les Pooch brushes, but we have a limited budget. Do I need one of these expensive brushes? I am happy to purchase it if it is necessary.

Thank you for all your help. As a novice, I really appreciate the wisdom of this list!

KK

[Julie and Charlie]

My list of must-haves to start:

• Metal comb with wide and narrow teeth
• Pin-head brush. I've been through a de-matting comb, a slicker brush, among others, and I guess I am recommending a brush, but we could do without one.
• Nail clippers if you plan to do them yourself. I've been through a few different kinds, and I like the pliers-style best, but you may have to experiment
• Powder to stop bleeding if you hit the quick (if you are going to trim nails, above)
• Rounded tip scissors for trims around the eyes
• Pointier scissors for other trimming
• Shampoo, conditioner. I learned too late: it's easier to squirt shampoo in a pitcher, and then really dilute it and then pour it on the dog. Easier to rinse out
• Ear cleaner and cotton pads.

[Jeanne Rose]

Congrats to you!
The above is pretty much what I have. I usually use my comb for most everything with Miss Olive. She is now 9 months and we have let her hair grow, so far so good. I guess the comb is our fav, it is about 9-12 inches long. I give her small treats as I comb her to occupy her while I comb or it becomes a play time. "Stand-Stay" a nice thing to learn early on. ;) ( great idea Julie had about the shampoo)

Another thing we do for her ears, we have a small bottle that is plastic, squirt end, and we fill it with vinegar and water, about 50/50. We then set it in a warm bowl of water so it isn't cold and dribble into each ear and rub in. She has never had ear problems. We also did this with our last dog as she was always in and out of the water. I believe the vinegar keeps her ears clean and dry.

Can't wait to see your photos, how exciting!

Jeanne and Olive

[Bob Johnston]

when they are small you can use a cat slicker brush. That will get them used to being brushed but isn't to aggressive where it might scratch up their skin. they usually run around 6 or 7 dollars. we also brushed ours with the top of the brush or smooth side to get her used to the feeling. that way we didn't over brush her.

 

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Getting your puppy used to being groomed from day one will be really important so It's great that you are ahead of the game. I self groom my boys and learnt everything from here or Youtube lol.  Start grooming in tiny increments with little treats always on hand. Choose a 'grooming place' where this is what always happens there. For example a table top or counter top which you can cover with a mat. I do have all those expensive tools and I do use lots of them, however to start off I would get this very reasonable slicker that I posted about a few weeks ago. http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/doodlegrooming/forum/topics/just-...

I would also get a nail clipper and some of the blood stopper powder just in case and do some tiny trimming of the ends of nails that in puppies can be needle sharp.

I would get an ear cleaner and clean your puppies ears and also an ear powder to twist and pull out ear hair if you have a pup with hairy ears. It doesn't hurt the dog at all and keeping ears clean is always a good preventative against ear infections.

I would also get some doggy toothpaste and a toothbrush as this is one thing that if you start it early enough will be so important saving lots of dollars in vet dental scaling work later on.

Good luck with your new puppy and do keep us posted with lots of pictures.

[KK]

Thank you all so much. This has been very helpful.

[Gwyndolyn Morasko]

I'm on a long waiting list for the green Les Pooches brush, but have had decent luck with  the MUCH cheaper Safari slicker brush. Go to Amazon and search for it there.  I also prefer my cheaper Safari 9 blade dematting tool over the hooked Mars Mat King tool.  My ALD/GD mix (Double Doodle) didn't get his first mat until he was 8 months old, and it was only a few per day and easy to keep up with. Then at 10 months old I adopted a sister for him and the got HUNDREDS of mats from his many hours per day of wrestling.  That's how I learned which of the 3 de-matting tools I use the most.  (I also have a 16 blade one for sensitive fine hair mats on his ears).  But to be honest, the number one de-matting tool I use are the sharp pointed shears.  I just poke one of the scissor tips under the bottom of the mat and gently slice upwards if thin, or cut if thick. 

Unfortunately, I really do like my more expensive pin brushes from Chris Christensen over the cheaper ones I had from Pet Smart.  The wood pin brish is so gentle on their skin that they seem to actually LIKE being groomed when I use it.  It's all I ever needed on Kona before he got his first mat at 8 months.   And the metal T-pin brush is great for back combing before I'm ready for the slicker brush.  Look up videos on YouTube to get some ideas on how to comb them out.  Babbie's videos on how do do scissor cutting has some good tips.  I don't follow all of them (I don't shave them at all in any areas...even under the neck), but many are good guides