- Go Easy on the Baths
Different types of dogs have different strengths of “dog smell.” This is the dog’s natural odor. Some dogs can be pretty stinky!
Fortunately, labradoodles usually have very minimal body odor. This trait is often found in poodles, too. So you’re not going to have to deal with baths too much.
You’ll want to bathe your dog once every three months or so. Of course, you’ll also want to bathe them if they ever get dirty or smelly from outdoor exploring. But generally Labradoodles aren’t a smell-heavy dog.
- Home Grooming
You can do a lot of regular, maintenance-type grooming at home. Some Labradoodles are prone to matting. Fortunately, you can prevent and remove mats pretty easily with proper combing. Here’s how:
- First, have your dog lay on her/his side. Push the coat upward, away from the direction it naturally grows.
- Next, start combing near the tail end of the dog. You’ll need to place the comb against the skin. Mats form at the skin, so you need to treat them at the source.
Mats are more than just tangled hair. Rather, mats form from dead, loose hair which becomes trapped within the animal’s coat. Left untreated, mats can become dense and as hard as a rock.
If your Labradoodle has mats, don’t give him or her a bath. Water and shampoo will turn small mats into large ones, and large mats into a virtual solid. You have to brush the mats out or, if necessary, carefully use scissors to remove them.
One effective tool you probably want is a double-toothed comb. This is the type of comb with short and long alternating teeth. The unique style of this comb is usually pretty effective at getting down into the Labradoodle’s undercoat.
Note About Puppy Coats
Your puppy will undergo a “puppy coat change.” This is when he sheds his puppy coat and grows an adult coat. This change starts around 10 months and can last for 6 months to a year.
You’ll likely want to groom your dog frequently during the puppy coat change. The more you “strip out” the puppy coat with frequent brushing, the easier your dog’s new coat can come in. Alternatively, some owners decide to keep their dog’s hair short during this change.