FIGHTING SEASONAL SHEDDING

By Wednesday, February 3, 2016 46 Permalink

The Boys and I are in Doodle warfare. We’re fighting seasonal shedding and I refuse to loose!

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It’s the 2nd of February and 77 degrees!

The Boy’s don’t know what to do with their coats. #takeitoff #keepiton

Consequently – I’m finding more and more hair in the tools I use…

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I dropped by to speak with Dr. Cagney to confirm what I suspected…

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I WAS RIGHT –

This warmer winter climate is the foreign enemy. The winter coat is coming off – much sooner and faster than usual. Regardless of the season, their hair is responding/reacting to the warmer temperature.

While opinions about Goldendoodle coats may vary –

Not all goldendoodles exhibit the non-shedding coat type of the standard poodle, most goldendoodles do have a low to non-shedding coat. The goldendoodle is usually tolerable for people with allergies, especially a goldendoodle with a completely non-shedding coat. The goldendoodle may shed less than a golden retriever, but the degree of shedding will vary from dog to dog. Grooming requirements are as varied as coat types, but most doodles require regular brushing to avoid matting. A dog with a coat that sheds less will require more grooming than one that sheds more often. While some breeders claim that the goldendoodle is a hypoallergenic dog, no studies have proven that any canine is completely hypoallergenic.  Wiki

And even though Harley and Jaxson are considered “low to non-shedding

I still need to brush them.

ABOUT THAT BRUSHING –

 

I often receive compliments like this one… #goosies

vfv

 

 

I’ve been brushing Harley every morning for the past seven years.

I started with Jaxson when he was about five months old. Although he’s fought me for a solid six months, recently he called a truce.

Last week he extended his hind legs out for me. #magical 

For those who have wondered what tools I use – here’s my arsenal…

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  1. Ear Cleaner – I keep this in my “can” because I never know which day I’ll need it
  2. Cotton Balls  – Doodle Doc’s preference to Q-Tips when cleaning their ears
  3. Fragrance Scents Aroma Paws and Groom N Fresh
  4. Wet BrushAdvice from other Doodle Moms! A ladies hair brush from Target. Gets the tangles out really easy. #Jaxapproved
  5. FurminatorA must have – especially now since we’re not sure what to do with these winter coats. 
  6. Wire Grooming BrushGreat for the tail, chin and neck areas. Harley loves this one, Jax loathes it! #gofigure
  7. Safari De-Matting CombWhile you may think the Boys are always pristine – believe me that’s far from true. They romp, roll, and get mats like the best of them. This lil gem helps me de-mat without causing them any discomfort. WARNING: comb has serrated blades. I highly recommend you have a professional groomer teach you how to use this correctly first. #Idid
  8. Safari Fine CombExcellent finishing comb.
  9. Treats – Gotta have em’
  10. E-Cloth Grooming/Massage MittI spray the fragrance scent on the mitt and rub them down. 

This takes no time at all PLUS during this entire process while handling them I’m checking their bodies for lumps, bug bites, ticks, etc…

Once we’re done – Jax supervises as I place everything back in the “can”…

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…and we’re ready to start our day. #coffeeplease

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This is our contribution in the BlogPaws Wordless Wordy Wednesday Blog Hop.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

46 Comments
  • The Daily Pip
    February 3, 2016

    I like the idea of spraying the fragrance on the mitt! Ruby would probably like that, too. Ruby is not crazy about being brushed – even when we give her treats before, during, and after the process, she still acts like we are trying to torture her.

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 3, 2016

      I used the mitt to help Jax get accustomed to the brush. The mitt has little bristles on one side, so I would rub with the mitt and follow with the brush. After a while he was fine with just the brush. Harley really loves the mitt rub. He would stay on the table all day if I was willing to rub #not!

  • Emma
    February 3, 2016

    That is a lot of morning brushing, but grooming is part of owning a pet. The boys sure do look handsome.

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 3, 2016

      It only looks intimidating Emma 🙂 But you are absoDOODLEtutely on point – it is part of owning a pet. #loveit

  • Elaine
    February 3, 2016

    That’s an awesome setup you have there, Cathy! With the mostly mild weather you have in SC, you can groom them on the porch year round. Thanks for sharing all your tools and tips.

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 3, 2016

      I love this screened in porch area Elaine. I think Doodle Dad had a different idea. He wanted to put new rattan patio furniture in there. I said “oh no” the old stuff is fine, my grooming table a basket of outdoor balls and toys, a table for my wine, and an outlet for my laptop. I call it my “Doodleville Office Annex” LOL

  • nichole
    February 3, 2016

    Sure looks like you’re prepared to fight the shed!

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 3, 2016

      Nicole – This is rather new, but the vet assures me it won’t last forever. I haven’t changed our routine, I just make sure I clean out the brushes every time! Have a great day my friend.

  • Ava at Savvy Pet Care
    February 3, 2016

    Great routine. I have a weekly one for my cats. My dad (93) has a Yorkie that he grooms every day. Kind of cute watching the macho man put her hair up in barrettes!

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 3, 2016

      Ava – I’ve often wondered about cat grooming. I don’t have a cat but I’ve always been under the assumption that they “groom themselves” #interesting I would love to see your dad in action. I’m sure it’s extremely comforting for him. I know working on the Boys truly relaxes me. Thanks so much for stopping by.

  • Spencer the Goldendoodle
    February 3, 2016

    It is amazing how many people believe that just because we are goldendoodles we don’t shed! Thank you for helping educate the public about this myth! Great post, mom wants to know if you have any appointments available for my grooming!!! 🙂

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 3, 2016

      Thanks Spencer – I believe anything that breathes – sheds. Even humans LOL – What we have to do is remind people that you all shed “less.” Tell your mom you are welcome anytime. My table is available whenever you can get here 🙂

  • Murphy & Stanley
    February 3, 2016

    As mom always tells new Doodle pawrents, “That awesome hair is far from maintenance free!” Luckily me and Stanley do not shed but we get clipped every 3-4 weeks.

    Keep Calm & Bark On!

    Murphy & Stanley

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 3, 2016

      Now that’s a great way to put it Doods! While this shedding thing is relatively new for us here in Doodleville – The Boys are on a similar grooming/clipping schedule of 3-4 weeks. It is what it is! LOL Have a great day 🙂

  • Pedro and Alessandra
    February 3, 2016

    Great post as always and very helpful. I love the tip about the ladies brush from Target!..(or Walmart ? No more Target in Canada!). I’ve seem the Furminator but since I didn’t have a reliable reference of whether it worked well or not, hadn’t bought it… Seeing Harley and Jax, I know it does! Reliable reference is in!… Shoefund is out! 🙂
    Thanks again and loving paws!

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 3, 2016

      Alessandra – I believe you can order the wet brush from Amazon – I just happened to be in a Target shortly after reading about how useful it is for their hair. Happy to hear you enjoyed the post. Have a great day and big hugs to Pedro from me and my boys!

  • Pamela
    February 3, 2016

    Oh grooming. It’s my nemesis. But if I don’t groom Honey, she’s going to kill us all when her shedding fur clogs up our cockpit drains. #deathbydoghair

    I’d love to comb Honey every day but it just doesn’t happen on long travel days. Maybe I need to assemble a nice kit like yours to inspire me to get to it every time we land somewhere.

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 3, 2016

      AbsDOODLEtutely Pamela – grab yourself a bucket and fill it up. Pull the bucket out every time you’re about to dock. Honey will get accustomed to getting “gussied – up” before going ashore 🙂

      • Pamela
        February 5, 2016

        “Honey will get accustomed to getting “gussied – up” before going ashore :)”

        Yeah, that’s not going to happen. We have enough work to do to figure out how to get the boat docked without killing anyone. And Honey, at the first sight of a dock hand, can’t think of anything but love. 🙂

        • Cathy Bennett
          February 5, 2016

          Either way – we think Honey’s a “looker” 🙂

  • Sand Spring Chesapeakes
    February 3, 2016

    I hate it when the weather messes up the fur growing and coming off. It seems my gang is shedding all year long.

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 3, 2016

      This is so unusual for them. I’ve never had this happen before. The vet says I shouldn’t see this next year because they will have become acclimated. #thankthedoodle

  • DZ Dogs
    February 3, 2016

    Way to go mom!!
    I was wondering if doodles shed. 🙂

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 3, 2016

      It depends on the generation. I will have little hair strands in their brushes, but I don’t have hair on the floor, furnishings, or clothing. It’s quite similar to humans. We have hair in our comb and brush but we don’t leave it everywhere LOL I think the different interpretations of “shedding” got us to the “doodles don’t shed” myth 🙂

  • Two French Bulldogs
    February 3, 2016

    Mom said she is going to make wigs or pills with all our hairs!
    Lily & Edward

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 4, 2016

      I didn’t realize you two friend bulldogs shed that much…. Do you really?

  • Kari
    February 3, 2016

    You are one devoted Doodle Mama! My kids barely let me get a few brush strokes in. I live like Pig Pen, with a cloud of dog hair around me at all times.

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 4, 2016

      Kari – you made me choke on my coffee reading this comment! #priceless I was imagining your descriptive sentence about Pig Pen #toofunny Some dogs shed a great deal but when you love a dog you learn to love it all 🙂

  • Jean Dion
    February 3, 2016

    I never thought about how your recent move would impact your doodle to-do list! Sounds like you have everything well in hand. And your boys look gorgeous, as always!

    Jean from Welcome to the Menagerie

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 4, 2016

      You and me both Jean! I feel better after confirming with the vet that (1) this too shall pass (2) by next winter they will have adapted to this warmer climate! #thankthedoodle

  • Claudette Pope
    February 3, 2016

    Thank you so much for once again giving such helpful information. Ziggy has been fighting me since day one in the grooming department. I don’t have a table yet but I know it’s a must. Harley and Jax Always look soooo very beautiful. I’m going to copy each and every tool that you use (he,he,he) I hope I can alleviate our grooming ballet.

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 4, 2016

      I remember your early struggles. Ziggy hasn’t gotten into the swing of grooming yet LOL Ask Fernando to recommend the right tools for him. Remember every doodles hair is different – good luck!

  • Lycan & Lexie
    February 3, 2016

    Argh, I hate the seasonal shedding. I get really worried that they’ll go bald from losing so much fur!

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 4, 2016

      I know what you mean! When I first started seeing the hair accumulate in the brushes I was like “what in the doodle?” Then I started reading and calmed down. Hopefully the worst is behind us.

  • M. K. Clinton
    February 3, 2016

    You do a fabulous job with the boys. ♥ They always look so fluffy and happy.

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 4, 2016

      Thanks MK – Today it was raining like the doodles we all got wet – so no brushing today. They look a hot mess, gotta share their pics on FB later 🙂

  • Jackie Bouchard
    February 3, 2016

    Wow, brushing every day? I guess I’m far too lazy to ever get a goldendoodle then! We only brush Rita when she’s blowing her coat, which is generally for about a month, twice a year. I’ve never had a dog that needed regular grooming before! We’ve always had wash and go dogs! 🙂

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 4, 2016

      I loved the “sales pitch” I got from Leo’s breeder. She didn’t sugar coat her words at all. She was very clear – doodles are wonderful pets, but they do require a daily grooming routine. That’s a huge contributing factor to the number of doodles in shelters across the country. Either that or you see them cut extremely short 🙂 I knew what I was getting into – and it’s something that doesn’t bother me. I’m a doodle fan 🙂

  • Tenacious Little Terrier
    February 4, 2016

    I brush Mr. N daily too. He got a super fancy comb and brush for Christmas. It’s work but I enjoy having a “virtually” non-shedding dog.

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 4, 2016

      I totally agree – as soon as we can get through this adjustment period – the better! I like not having to pick clubs of hair out of the brush!

  • Lisa
    February 4, 2016

    Hi Harley & Jaxon!
    I’m Murphy from Murphy’s law blog…can’t wait for more fun post from your human!

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 4, 2016

      Hi Lisa – so nice to meet you! Welcome to Doodleville – a place to learn, love and laugh with Harley & Jax 🙂 Come back soon…

  • Jan K
    February 7, 2016

    Daily grooming – you are so good!!! Harley and Jaxson always look beautiful to me, now I know why.
    I’m lucky if I pull off weekly, which is why two of our three dogs are short haired!
    Our unusually warm winter seems to have Sheba shedding more than usual, and actually Cricket too. Cricket is short-haired but it is very thick in places and she does also need brushing to reduce the shedding, but at least she doesn’t get matted – that is the biggest issue with Sheba even when I keep up with her brushing.

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 7, 2016

      The breeder stressed several times the importance of grooming, so I know what I was getting into. I will admit – in the beginning there were days when I didn’t feel like doing it, but even as a puppy Harley got used to it and would look at me funny if I tried to go into the house before brushing him. Over time it’s just become a way of life for us.

  • Jennifer
    November 6, 2018

    I was so glad to find your site. I have a 9 month old goldendoodle name Charly girl. Up until this last month we hadn’t seen any hair except when I brush her which was twice a week, but the other day we were out for a drive and I noticed hair all in the carpet of the car. I was shocked and a bit afraid….was my little doodle now a major shedder? or was this just seasonal shedding that I wasn’t getting out? We hadn’t found hairs on our clothes or anything at this point. Can anyone give me some advice? We live in WV and it’s just started to get cool here. She is our first doodle.

    • Cathy Bennett
      November 19, 2018

      Well, depending on the generation your Dood is (F1, F1B, etc…) will explain a lot. Both my Boys are F1’s (first generation) yet, Jaxson used to experience seasonal shedding when we lived in N. VA. Here in SC – there’s no real drastic change of climate so I don’t see it. Most of what would come out of the comb or show up in the carpet of the car was actually from his tail which is very much a match for the traditional Golden Retriever. I wouldn’t panic if I were you. Sounds a lot like seasonal shedding to me. Thanks for stopping by, please come back again soon….