Serious Matting Problem

[LoveMyDebit]

So my Debit baby has a serious matting problem that has gotten out of control. He's blowing his puppy coat, and I didn't notice all the matting until it was too late. The woman at the pet store told me that I may need to get his head completely shaved, and they could probably save the hair on his body. I have been calling around to different groomers, but I don't know what to expect. I'm so nervous! Help!

[Ace's Place]

Hi there. I know exactly how you feel. This happened with Ace. The groomer called me and really talked me through what she felt was a matting problem that absolutely had to be addressed. I think it was a combination of Ace blowing his puppy coat and we had fallen in love with his wild pretty hair we let it get a little too long. She, the groomer, actually had to shave him down very close to the skin. I would only have let her do it, because I trusted her to be very very careful and very gentle with Ace. He looked completely different when done and I was a wreck waiting for her call to come and get him. But I knew it was for the best and we got on the right track with him as far as keeping his fur dematted from that point on. I could feel the mats on his neck and body and knew that it couldn't be comfortable. I would just want to know that the groomer doing it was trusted and would be very very careful.

On the other hand, my neighbor with a doodle has her dog shaved all the time. We prefer now to keep in at a nice couple inches around controllable length and we are trying to stay on a 6 week or so schedule with our groomer just to make sure we don't go through that again.

Long story short, I would go to someone that comes recommended. Maybe ask if they have other doodle clients? Have they dealt with mats? I know how you feel though and just know that Debit's hair will grow back quickly and you will be able to brush him out as it does and he will be mat free and more comfortable.

Ace's mom

[Ace's Place]

I also wanted to ask can you feel the mats on his head? I could feel them on Ace - they went up his neck up and under his ears. So they shaved up to that point and then trimmed his head/face to make it look somewhat in line with his body.....but like you, it happened so fast, we felt terrible even though we've always been so attentive.....

[lindamarie]

I recall this matting problem with my Bouvier and it's not fun. We're lucky that Bogart doesn't mat.
I'm sure you won't care for what I'm going to say, but I'd get it over with and just cut him down to where they can remove the mats.

This will take a groomer that is willing to take a lot of time doing this. Many would just sheer the dog like sheep. Yet, it's possible to cut down so far, remove some mats and go shorter if necessary. If you just do the head, he's going to look so out of proportion.
It will grow back........and I understand how upsetting this can be. We really want our doodles to look just like we want.
We took Bogart in yesterday and asked for a trim ONLY. Well, he came home with his summer cut. He looks fine, but I wanted my big, fuzzy, bear dog for Christmas!

[deepnite10]

i just wish some of you lived close by..id be more than happy to take care of the matting without having to shave your doodle down..

i was so unhappy when Toby went in for his puppy cut..since then it was explain d to be in detail how to prevent matting..

to this day i comb out Toby s coat daily to make sure no matts are developing..as well as looking for any abnormalities that might develop..

though many brush regularly..i much prefer to use a comb to get as close to the skin as possible..

[Ace's Place]

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get Ace to sit still/enjoy the brushing? I grew up with a beagle who loved to be brushed. Ace really acts like he hates it - as much as I keep it a really calm, positive experience. Would like to brush more if he would let me....

[jodysh]

Malcolm just went to the groomer yesterday. The report I got is that there was slight matting around the ears. I'll chalk that up to the medication for his infection though, since it made the fur around his ears a bit greasy.

I usually brush and comb him every other day. I get him cut kinda short I guess. Maybe 2 inches?

But anyway I usually do it when he's chillin' out napping and just coo and love oh him as I do it. I don't think he's particularly thrilled to get combed and brushed, but he will be still and let me do it.

[daking]

in the beginning Winston was very leery of brushing, I basically forced it upon him. after a week of stepping on the leash so he wouldn't run and hide, he would come running every time I pulled the brush or comb or even the dematting "comb hook blade thing" out. Persistance is key, eventually they wil come to at least accept that it is routine. the matting that he gets is his "armpits" and they are just knots from movement that get brushed out. I even went as far today as purchasing a clipper from Oster that allows me to groom him at will so to speak (MUCH cheaper than groomers, and was on sale for boxing day!)

[LoveMyDebit]

I spoke to a groomer on the phone who advised me to wait until after the holidays so she could spend a lot of time with him. She explained that they don't muzzle the dogs at all and just baby them like crazy. She told me that she thinks she can get the mats out herself without shaving him so I have my fingers crossed! I'll let you know how it turns out after the 1st of the year.

[deepnite10]

after hearing so much about matting..i started brushing him when he was very young, still a pup..after a few times i realized it was a unavoidable routine..and eventually he took it to mean an act of affection..

brushing could nt get down low enough to prevent matting so i started with a comb and that pretty much has eliminated the matting..but, it does take constant combing or brushing..even after a couple days i ll notice tangles starting if skip a day..

once you get the matting under control..it only take s about 5 mins. a day to keep Toby looking spiffy..