GROOMING DIFFICULTIES!

[Sue Ryzdynski]

We own a 12 mo. old Goldendoodle.  Her job eventually will be a 'service dog', but, that is a discussion for another group.

We have a lot of trouble with groomers.  They don't seem to have a clue about doodles.

She's come back from a couple with digestive and gastric issues, after extensive vet testing which was nonconclusive, special foods and meds, we finally concluded it was stress brought on by grooming. 

All that brushing and pulling on matts probably.

We had done our best to brush her and work on matts daily, but, that really did not help.

Now, the latest groomer we tried (after a lot of research!) pretty much shaved her completely down to a 'medium' length of 1/'2 inch all over!  Except her head and face, which is still Doodle but neater.  They called first before they did all this, so, it was not a shock.  They did this cause there were a lot of matts!  We are to start from scratch, brush her, keep her from matting etc.

They explained that Doodles do not shed, so outgoing puppy fur gets very tangled with the incoming adult fur, making significant matts!

That actually makes sense, NOW, WE START FROM SCRATCH!

Best thing, NO STRESS!  She seems fine!  (there was no pulling!)

Can we keep up with this?  (the photos show what she did look like and what she now looks like!)

[Cat]

I feel your pain... Try Pink Poodle Parlor on pebble and eastern!! All my old groomers used to cut Milo too short too. I do brush him out in between to make it more manageable for them but they do it correctly not lazy like most! I see Beth and the rest there are supposedly awesome too!

[Sue Ryzdynski]

They too came highly recommended.  We just have to get past their name!!!  We are 'down to earth' folks who like beiges, golds and browns, with an occasional burgundy splash!

No matter, it's whatever's best for the dog!  Thanks for the recommendation, they're probably next to try!  We'll investigate they're website...

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Sue, right now your doodle is going through the coat change so it is extremely important to brush all the time.  If you do it daily it takes a whole lot less time than if you try and do it once a week and have to work on matts.  It is also a lot better for the dog.  She is at a great length right now to get this started.  Get a table or kitchen island or some where you can put her up on top.  They seem to behave better when they are up.  Get a Les Pooches or Activet I believe they are now called brush.  They are not cheap, but they last a long time.  Also get yourself a metal comb with narrow teeth spacing.  After you brush with the brush use the comb to go through and make sure you got all the way down to the skin.  Pay particular attention to the head, ears, under the ears and chin, the collar area and the tail.  These are going to be your tough matting places.  If you are devoted to it you will be fine.  If it just doesn't work for you,, she looks really cute like she is right now.

[Sue Ryzdynski]

Thanks!  We WILL do these things!  We like a bit longer hair, we must maintain it!!  Les Pooches does not make that brush anymore, but Activet does.  Time to shop...

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

She was and is adorable!  I have a dog that has a high maintenance coat and I find that the Activet slicker brush works best on his coat.  However brushing is not enough - brushing is just the beginning. The real point is that you can get a comb through the coat.  I use the Untangler or a plain steel comb.  I spray a section of Ned with Horse Mane 'N Tail Detangler, brush and comb and move on.  I use Cowboy Magic on specific mats and/or I slice through the mats sideways with small scissors (always parallel to the way the hair grows and always away from the skin.)

I use the single rather than the double size Activet even on my shedding doodle. I think the green might be the one for you.

[Sue Ryzdynski]

Much thanks!  I have ordered an Activet and I have the Cowboy Magic.  Now, to use them properly and regularly! 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

:-}  And even doing it properly and regularly - those guys who mat, still mat! Darn!

[Sue Ryzdynski]

Oh no! 

[ViLinh Lu]

Barking Dogs on Blue Diamond and Cimmaron. Ask for Kayla. She's awesome with Doodles!!!

[Naomi Silveira]

I just joined the group, but we had gone through several groomers before we found ours. They are phenominal. They really love dogs and they know how to groom doodles. It's on the East side: Nellis and Desert Inn, Shampoochie, 702-713-4026, by appt. only.

[Kathy Sharp]

We also had this problem on our doodles first groomer visit.  I actually searched the internet for a picture of how I wanted her to be trimmed and took it along the next time.  Haven't had another strange haircut since!

We use Hap E Dog Barkery in Henderson.