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Grooming Tips & Tricks

Keeping your pup groomed can be overwhelming, especially if you've never had a doodle or dog that requires regular grooming! Your dog's grooming routine will vary based on his/her coat and your preference. This page outlines some pointers to keep your dog looking good with some at home maintenance as well as guidance when taking a trip to the groomer!  

Regular Coat  Maintenance

Brushing your pup's coat several times per week with a brush will prevent tangles and mats. This is also an excellent time to bond with your puppy as you stroke and cuddle them! If you have kids, this is an excellent task for them to help out with. There are links on the shopping list page to some of our favorite brushes! 

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Preventing matting is very important! If your pup's coat isn't properly maintained and extensive matting develops, the groomer may have to shave their coat down completely!

Line Brushing is an effective way to make sure that your doodle's coat doesn't become matted. Each dog's coat is different, and thus will require different levels and frequencies of maintenance.

Ears

The poodle breed is prone to ear infections due to the shape of their ears. Our vet encourages the groomer to pull the hair in their ears to prevent dirt and dust from accumulating and getting stuck in the puppy's hairy ears and causing an infection! You can purchase Ear Cleaner online or in any pet store. We monitor our dog's ears and clean their ears periodically (especially if they've spent the day playing outside!). Prevention goes a long way in preventing ear infections!  It is a simple process: simply squirt the cleaner in your dog's ears (they will shake their head around which allows the cleaner to enter their ear), then use cotton balls to remove any dirt and dust from your puppy's ears. You might be surprised how much dirt your cute little puppy can hide in their ears!

Eyes

Bordoodles can develop some tear staining (small collections of dirt and dust that collect at the corner of your dog's eyes). You can use a washcloth with some warm water and gentle soap (Johnsons No Tears baby soap is what we use) to keep your pup's eyes clean and clear. This is worse in purebred poodles than doodles, but still something to be aware of!

First Visit to the Groomer

We do our best to socialize your puppy to the grooming process. This socialization starts when your pup is only a few days old. It is still a good idea to take your pup to the groomer as a youngster so they get exposure to the smells, sounds, and people there! We recommend a quick visit after your pup is fully vaccinated ( around 14-18 weeks). Your puppy probably won't need extensive grooming at this age, the groomer can trim the fur around their eyes and neaten their coat up a bit!  Make this a positive and enjoyable experience for your puppy so they will grow to love grooming! 

Choosing a Groomer

Finding a groomer can be difficult! Many groomers are busy and book up quickly! Here are some tips when searching for a groomer:

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  • Ask around: getting a referral from family or friends who use (and are happy with) a certain groomer is a great way to get connected with someone to keep your pooch looking great!

  • Ask for Photos (or review photos on their social media/website) to confirm you like their work

  • Take photos of a pup with a groom similar to what you'd like for your pup!

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