I feel so bad!

[Lucy & Ellie]

Lucy is our first dog so we are clueless apparently.  We have this http://www.petsmart.com/supplies-training/brushes-combs-blow-dryers...

I really thought I did an ok job of brushing her out but we noticed she was starting to get some matting so we decided it was time to visit a real groomer. 

Lucy is 9 months old and I read on this board that that's around when their adult coats start coming and the matting starts happening so I guess that's what happened.

I took her to the groomer and they knew right away that they'd need to shave her!  I was shocked!  So anyway, they shaved her but now I see that I need to educate myself on how to better take care of Lucy.

I see there are different doodle fur types.  I don't know what Lucy's is... she's curly (except when we bathe her we blow her dry so it doesn't really look curly).  It's VERY soft and doesn't shed.  I am attaching a pic if that helps.

How can I prevent matting in the future?  Obviously I either have the wrong brush or I'm just doing it wrong.

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Helga, this makes me a little sad to hear Nimbus is 14 months old. I was hoping since we've been at it for 3 months now (yogi just turned one), we were
nearing the end of the puppy hair coming out. I'll brush him as often as I need to, but four days in between would be nice ;-)
Yogi's coat is also similar.

[Carolyn Shusterman]

I prefer the shaggy look.  Little Hershey (17 lbs. 3.5 yrs old) wears her hair up to 5 inches long.  Sydney who is 14 months old still gets puppy mats.  We found it best to cut the back hair and under arms 1 inch short during this stage of hair growth.  The hair will grow out and it is sooo much easier to care for.

[Teresa Joyce]

Hi Ellie,  First of all, don't feel too bad - the hair will grow back and the change between puppy and adult coat can be very challenging.  I agreed with the other posts, the Activet brush is wonderful - follow with a comb and Lucy will be mat free.  Here is another suggestion that was passed to me when Jacques was in his puppy coat and everything stuck to it and in it - there is a product called Showsheen that works wonders.  It is silicone based so the hair does not mat as easily and it also will help repel the stickers and dirt from the hair.  There are a number of silicone based products from some of the top grooming supply producers that will help with the matting.  For me, the Showsheen worked wonders and I still lightly spray the boys after they are dry from a bath even through they are both thankfully through the coat change period. If you find a mat, you can spray it with the Showsheen and it will remove much more easily.  I also have used it on other doodles that I have groomed at my shop and they seem to have fewer knots and tangles when they come back for their next groom.  Good luck!