Riddle

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

What do a bunch of strings attached to balloons, blowing out of a car window and a doodle coat with dreads have in common?

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Tangles, tangles, tangles!!!!

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

Close...think more possitively.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Can't wait to hear the answer. I polled my family and none of us can answer.
Someone out there ----- think of the answer

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

This concept is very important in my doodle grooming procedure that reduces brushing.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Unless you want one balloon separate from the other, there is really no reason to separate the strings( curly ribbons), they look pretty all twisted together. They are not really knotted, only twisted. The strings can easily become knotted if you start messing with them.

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

Congratulations: You definitely got the concept.

Answer....twisted threads or in this case..... twisted dreads. These prevent future tangling and when I finish grooming my doodles, they have artificially formed dreads that last a loooooong time. Months.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Ok, I think I get it. BUT what if it isn't the tangles, but the cotton candy below the twists?

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

The cotton candy is caused by dead hair tangling in. Usually only bad when going thru the coat change. This coat was last brushed longer ago than I care to admit. 3 months maybe. This is a leg.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Ok, I have been avidly reading your advice but I think somehow I have missed a lot. Ned started matting (ears and behind them) at 6 months but I could get them out. I noticed that he mats the worst for a couple of weeks right after a bath - mine or the groomer's and it is getting worse now at 11 months. I LOVE Ned's dreads and I would love to let him go but he has the cotton mats next to his skin and I am sooo worried about having to shave him if I let them go. I usually take scissors sideways to break the bigger ones up and I also use Cowboy Magic or Horse de-tangler. This helps bunches, but I am spending about an hour or more daily on only part of him, and Ned hates to see me coming. I have a rake, metal comb and LesPouchs slicker brush. I remembered your advice about a gentle spraying after brushing so I do that too. If I let those mats go what would happen? Will Ned probably always mat like this or will he outgrow the worst of it?

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

He is in the coat change. I always shorten my coats to 2 inches so they are easier to brush and I brush regularly until that stage is over. If you leave the mattes at this age you will be shaving him in no time. Better to have a short coat than no coat. The reason he mats right after a bath is because his dreads have not been 'put back in'. I am looking for a bit of time to write a piece about it. The riddle was to get some people thinking about artificially putting the dreads back.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thanks, We love the dread look. Ned's groomer is a really nice young woman who seems open to suggestion. She uses the doodle calendars to get a "look" and she does a couple of other doods (but I think they are F1's from her description of "thinner" hair). I think she would be open to all of this advice if I am tactful about presenting it. I will be eagerly awaiting your putting the dreads back in advice. I am being more careful to make sure I am dampening where I brush enough.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Tangles????? Oh, by the way, I have been reading the comments and how exactly do you artificially put the "dreds" back in? Spray with water? And, why? Is there a purpose or just for looks?

Thanks...Nancie and Gracie