How to bathe a doodle without the tangles

1. Brush before the bath

Water makes tangles tighter, so the most important part of bath day happens before the water goes on.

• Use a slicker brush and work in small sections, lifting the coat so you brush all the way to the skin (line brushing).
• Follow with a metal comb. If the comb catches, go back to the brush on that spot.
• Check the usual trouble spots: behind the ears, the armpits, the collar line and the back legs.

2. Bathe: body first, face last

• Use lukewarm water and soak the coat all the way through. Curly coats take longer to get wet than you'd think.
• Start with the body and save the face for last, keeping shampoo away from the eyes.
• Work the lather in with your fingertips down to the skin. Pat and squeeze instead of scrubbing in circles, which can tangle curls.
• Rinse longer than feels necessary, until the coat no longer feels slippery.

3. Towel, then dry while you brush

• Blot and squeeze with a towel. Rubbing back and forth creates new tangles.
• Dry on low heat and brush section by section as you go, so the curls dry soft and fluffy.
• Try not to let a doodle air-dry. Curls that dry on their own tend to tighten and tangle.

How often should you bathe a doodle?

Many groomers suggest a bath every 4 to 6 weeks for most doodles, or whenever they roll in something. Brushing matters more than bathing: a few quick sessions a week keep mats from forming in the first place.

Every dog is different, so if your doodle has skin issues, check with your vet about how often to bathe.