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Grooming Your Doodle
As a breeder, my initial recommendation is to start brushing your puppy daily as soon as you bring it home. After brushing, comb down to the skin to help the puppy become accustomed to grooming. Schedule a grooming appointment right after your puppy completes all its vaccinations. Don't delay; grooming is crucial for doodles at a young age and should be done regularly. Sheepadoodles, like other doodles, have undercoats that can easily mat without your awareness.
Regular grooming is essential for Sheepadoodles to maintain a healthy coat and prevent matting. In addition to brushing, it is important to bathe your Sheepadoodle every 4-6 weeks to keep their coat clean and free of tangles. When bathing your pup, be sure to use a gentle dog shampoo that won't strip their fur of its natural oils. After bathing, thoroughly dry your Sheepadoodle to prevent any dampness that can lead to skin issues.
Furthermore, keeping your Sheepadoodle's ears clean and dry is crucial to prevent infections. Check their ears regularly for any signs of redness or odor, and gently clean them with a veterinarian-approved ear cleaner.
Lastly, maintaining your Sheepadoodle's dental health is also important. Brush their teeth regularly with a dog-friendly toothbrush and toothpaste to prevent dental issues and keep their breath fresh.
By following these grooming tips and incorporating them into your routine, you will help your Sheepadoodle stay healthy, happy, and looking their best.
In-between groomer appointments, you are going to want to do a few things as a grooming ritual in your household.
Ensure Your Dog's Eyes Stay Clear of Hair
To maintain your dog's eye health and vision, it is essential to trim the hair near the eyes carefully. This is not a choice but a necessity to keep your doodle's eyes healthy. If you notice hair growing towards the eyes before your grooming appointment, make a small snip to prevent obstruction. The image shows a doodle urgently needing his eyes cleared.
Doodle owners all share a mutual admiration for the distinct appearance of their doodles. The charming and lively look of doodles truly captures our hearts. Maintaining their appearance to reflect their personality can pose a challenge without proper guidance. Many of us envision their long, magnificent coats that enhance their majestic allure, a look that we cherish. However, our busy daily routines may sometimes get in the way. As we navigate our hectic lives, we may realize that we have overlooked some grooming steps and may need assistance from a professional groomer. Don't be discouraged – this is a common experience among doodle owners. There may be times when a complete shave is necessary to start fresh. In such instances, be gentle with yourself; it's all part of the process.
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Keep the belly, underarms, tail, and face brushed.
Matting occurs easily and brushing daily helps to alleviate the problem. Get into a routine, for instance, daily when I give a treat, I brush the doodles tummy tail, neck, and face. When I am finished, my doodle gets his treat. Doing it this way sincerely takes not more than 2 minutes.
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PADS: During each grooming session, remember to groom the dog's pads by shaving the hair between them. Hair mats, twigs, dirt, and rocks can become lodged in the hair under the dog's feet, leading to discomfort and distress. While grooming the pads, ensure that the nails are trimmed too. Neglecting the nails due to the length of the coat can cause pain while walking if they begin to curl under
EARS: Ear grooming holds significant importance to prevent infections that may arise if your doodle's ear canal has hair growing inside. Though pulling out the hair is not as uncomfortable as it sounds, it is crucial to avoid chronic ear pain for your furry friend. Ensuring proper airflow for your dog's ears is essential. Request a chin strap cut from ear to ear from your groomer to achieve this. Many groomers might not be familiar with this request. Picture wearing a helmet - the strap (cut) runs from ear to ear near the neckline, hidden by the chin hair and ears. This unique cut enhances breathability for your doodle's ears.
