Australian Labradoodles are known for their beautiful coats! The majority of the dogs bred in our program have what we call a “fleece” coat. This means they have a soft-textured coat that is either straight, wavy or has a soft spiral appearance. Fleece coats are very popular as they are easy to manage and very allergy-friendly. They will, however, require some upkeep to make sure your dog’s coat stays in good condition. Here are a few things to keep in mind when caring for your puppy’s coat at home and preparing them for the groomer.
Your At-Home Grooming Guide
It is important to maintain your dog’s upkeep at home between grooming visits. When you first bring your puppy home, you should work on desensitizing them to basic grooming behavior such as having their paws handled.
Brushing your puppy at home should be done regularly to keep the coat from becoming matted. Do not be surprised if your puppy is startled when you brush them for the first time, this is an unusual experience for them! Start with a few gentle strokes and reward your puppy for positive behavior. Do the same with the idea of combs or nail clippers.
WARNING: Unless you are an experienced dog groomer, never clip your puppy’s nails on your own. It is very easy to cut the nail into the quick which is painful and traumatic for your new puppy. Once your puppy has been “quicked” it is very hard for them to gain their confidence back when having their paws handled.
Keep your grooming sessions short, but frequent. Make time to brush them every day so they grow used to the feeling!
Regular Care Checklist
Your puppy will need at-home grooming in between professional grooming sessions. Here is a list of the things you should do on a regular basis, plus the tools necessary to complete them:
- Bathe your puppy with a dog-friendly shampoo. Be careful not to over bathe your new puppy, especially in the colder months, as this can lead to dry uncomfortable skin. Bathe as needed between groomings.
- Archview tip of the day: If your puppy has dandruff, try a tea-tree oil infused shampoo to soothe itchy skin!
- Brushing your dog for a few minutes a day is advisable, especially if you intend on keeping your dog’s coat on the longer side. We LOVE the Greyhound Comb from Pet Edge for daily grooming.
- Note: Always brush your dog before you bathe them to remove any mats.
- When bathing your puppy, be on the lookout for cuts, ticks or unusual skin irritations.
Grooming at Home
Interested in doing your Australian Labradoodles grooming on your own? The ALAA put out this wonderful video that demonstrates a good routine for basic doodle grooming practices:
First Trip to the Groomer
Once your puppy is appropriately vaccinated, it is time for them to go to the groomer! Your puppy should go to the groomer as soon as safely possible so they adjust to the experience at a young age. Be careful when selecting a groomer. Do your research! Vets, fellow dog owners or, if you are local, the Archview team can help recommend one to you. Always select a licensed groomer. One bad experience at the groomer can scar your puppy for life.
Most groomers are more than happy to have short introductory grooming sessions with your new puppy. Even if you don’t want their coat fully trimmed, we recommend taking them for a bath and blowout while they are young and easy to train.
We recommend that you take your Australian Labradoodle to the groomer every three-four weeks for a bath and blow dry. The recommended schedule for a haircut is every other visit to the groomer.
Just like when you go to the hair salon, it is always a good idea to go to the groomer with a photo of how you want your puppy to look when they get their first haircut. Your groomer will be able to suggest cuts that are best for the level of upkeep you are comfortable with and for your puppy’s lifestyle. No matter what cut you choose, always make sure the hair is trimmed from your dog’s eyes, the ears are groomed to the “leather” and that they receive a sanitary trim.
Take a look at some of these dashing cuts that our Archview graduates recently shared for some puppy cut inspiration!
Ready to add an Archview Australian Labradoodle to your family? All of our available puppies can be found here. Be sure to fill out your adoption application in order to be approved!
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