Keep the Curls: The 3-Step Mat-Free Set

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For doodle parents who want to keep the curls

Keep the curls. Skip the shave-down.

Left: a doodle after a shave-down. Right: the same kind of doodle with its curls kept

Most shave-downs start with mats nobody could see. They form at the skin, under a coat that looks fine on top. By the time you can feel them, the groomer's only fix is the clippers.

A few minutes, 3 times a week, keeps them from starting: spray, brush to the skin, then comb. Here's the routine, plus the 7 habits behind most doodle mats.

Get the 3-Step Set →Free Dematting Comb · free shipping

4.7/5 from 193 reviews · Free shipping · 30-day guarantee

By Laura, founder of Freshly Bailey

The routine

Spray. Brush. Comb. A few minutes, 3 times a week.

Work one small section at a time and finish all 3 steps on it before you move on. Every day is best for very curly coats.

Freshly Bailey Doodle Detangler Spray, Slicker Brush and Metal Comb

Step 1

Spray

Mist the section with Doodle Detangler Spray. It softens the coat so the brush glides instead of pulling.

Step 2

Brush to the skin

Hold the coat up, then brush that line down from the skin with the long-pin Slicker Brush. That's where mats start.

Step 3

Comb

Run the metal comb from skin to tips. If it glides, that section is done. If it snags, there's a hidden mat: spray, brush, comb again.

Why the shave-down happens

The 7 habits behind most doodle mats

Every one of them is easy to fix. Here's what the routine changes.

  1. 1
    Thinking low shedding means low maintenance

    Doodles still lose hair. It just gets trapped in the curls, where it twists into tangles and then mats.

    Fix: brush 3× a week
  2. 2
    Brushing only the top of the coat

    The coat looks smooth and fluffy while mats grow underneath, at the skin.

    Fix: line brush to the skin
  3. 3
    Brushing a dry coat

    Dry curls drag on every knot. That hurts, and your dog learns to run from the brush.

    Fix: step 1, spray
  4. 4
    Using a brush with short pins

    Most slicker brushes skim the top layer and never reach where mats start.

    Fix: 1-inch pins
  5. 5
    Skipping the comb

    Without it you can't tell if you're done. The brush leaves hidden mats behind.

    Fix: step 3, the comb test
  6. 6
    Bathing before brushing

    Water tightens tangles. A small knot goes into the bath and comes out a big mat.

    Fix: brush before every bath
  7. 7
    Waiting for the weekend

    An hour fighting mats on Saturday is hard on both of you, and it's how most shave-downs start.

    Fix: a few minutes, 3× a week

The difference

The 3-Step Set vs. a brush on its own

What stops mats 3-Step Set Brush alone
Pins long enough to reach the hair near the skin (1-inch pins) ✓ Yes Often not
Detangler softens the coat so the brush glides, not pulls ✓ Yes ✕ No
Metal comb finds the hidden mats the brush missed ✓ Yes ✕ No
Brush sized for your dog (Small or Large) ✓ Yes Varies
30-day guarantee, even if you've used it ✓ Yes Varies

Why doodle owners are switching

What makes the 3-Step Set work

The long, curved pins reach down to the skin

1

It reaches where mats actually start: at the skin

A doodle coat can look smooth and fluffy on top while mats grow underneath. Most slicker brushes have short pins that skim that top layer. Ours has 1-inch pins on a curved head that follows your dog's body, so you reach the hair near the skin without pressing harder.

Doodles are low shedding, not no shedding. The loose hair gets trapped in the curls instead of falling out, and over a few days it twists into tangles, then mats.

Customer photo: Whitney's mini Goldendoodle

Customer photo · Whitney's mini Goldendoodle

2

The detangler does the pulling, so your dog doesn't feel it

Brushing a dry, curly coat drags on every knot. A light mist of Doodle Detangler Spray first softens the coat so the brush glides through. It's a leave-in conditioner made for curly and wavy coats, with a light Sweet Rose scent between baths.

Made in the USA with plant-based ingredients from coconut and palm. No alcohol, sulfates, phosphates or parabens. One 16 oz bottle lasts a long time.

“It helps make brushing easier and leaves his coat soft and fresh… Highly recommend for doodle owners!”

★★★★★ Whitney, mini Goldendoodle owner

The comb glides through: that section is done

3

The comb tells you when you're actually done

This is the step most doodle owners skip. Run the Greyhound Metal Comb from the skin out to the tips. If it glides all the way through, that section is done. If it snags, there's a mat hiding there: mist it, brush it, comb again.

Wide teeth on one end break up thick spots, fine teeth on the other finish the coat. Rounded tips won't scratch, and the anti-slip handle gives you a steady grip.

“It helps remove tangles without pulling or irritating her skin. The comb feels sturdy and well-made, not flimsy like some others I've tried.”

★★★★★ Matto, Goldendoodle owner
Customer photo: Judy R.'s black curly puppy sitting on a blanket

Customer photo · Judy R.'s puppy

4

Dogs that hated brushing start coming to it

When brushing hurts, dogs learn to run from the brush. The long pins are flexible, so they glide through thick coats without scratching, and the detangler means less tugging. Owners tell us their dogs stopped fighting grooming time.

“I now enjoy grooming my two doodles. No longer a chore!! They see me pick the brush up and they are at my feet!! Xander and Henry are 85 lbs and 65 lbs.”

★★★★★ Frieda, owner of two doodles

“My old slicker brush annoyed my dog. When I used it he wanted to bite me… most of all my dog allowed me to brush him.”

★★★★★ Verified buyer
Freshly Bailey Large Slicker Brush for Dogs with its box
5

Professional groomers use the same brush

You don't need salon tools to get salon results between appointments. The groomers who've reviewed our slicker brush say it holds up to daily professional use.

“As a professional dog groomer, I love this brush! It is quite durable and powerful, yet gentle! This design is far better than straight slicker brushes or ones with ball tips.”

★★★★★ Sierra, professional dog groomer

“Oh yes it's just as good as leading brand… full time vet groomer!”

★★★★★ Ashlee, vet groomer

Line brushing: hold the coat up, brush from the skin out

6

A few minutes, 3 times a week, beats a shave-down

An hour fighting mats on Saturday is hard on you and your dog. Bad matting pulls on the skin, traps dirt and moisture, and often ends in a full shave-down at the groomer.

Groomers call it line brushing: instead of brushing over the top of the coat, you work in small sections from the skin out. Hold the coat up with one hand so you can see a line of skin, spray that section, brush it down from the skin, then comb through it. If the comb glides, move up a half inch and do the next line. A few minutes, 3 times a week (every day for very curly coats), stops most mats before they start.

“WOW!! What a difference after using this doodle brush on my bernedoodle. Easier to brush and gets down to the skin without scratching… I can get a comb thru after using the Bailey Doodle Brush on my Bernedoodle Bear!!”

★★★★★ Deb M., Bernedoodle owner
Bailey, the doodle who started Freshly Bailey, lying on the floor with pink bows

Bailey, the doodle who started it all

7

Made by a doodle family, and you can try it risk-free

We started Freshly Bailey in 2020 because keeping our own doodle Bailey's coat free of mats was a real struggle. Every tool in this set is one we use on our own dog.

If it doesn't work for your dog, tell us within 30 days of delivery and we'll make it right, even if you've used it. That includes the opened spray.

Keep the curls with a few minutes, 3 times a week. Everything you need is in one set.

Get the 3-Step Set →Free Dematting Comb · free shipping

Real reviews from real doodle parents

What owners say about the set

4.7 out of 5 from 193 reviews of the tools in this set

Customer photo: Buddy, a Bernedoodle puppy
★★★★★

“We love it. Buddy, not so much. Lol”

“We just got our puppy and already used the detangler spray and brush. We love it.”

Verified buyer · Customer photo

★★★★★

Great product

“This slicker brush has been a great tool for our Golden Doodle. It does a great job working through his curly coat, removing tangles, and helping keep his fur soft and looking well groomed… It's become an essential part of our grooming routine.”

Jacob H., Goldendoodle owner

Customer photo: Mary's white Maltese mix
★★★★★

“The best dematting comb ever!”

“It really gets the tangles out and makes my dogs fur really fluffy. I use it on my Maltese-mix cause his hair is long and very fine.”

Mary · Verified buyer · Customer photo

★★★★★

Great quality and goes through doodle coats

“Omg, I can't say enough about this doodle brush. It is so awesome and it gets through the whole coat. Our doodles never looks so good.”

Saundra V., doodle owner

Customer photo: the Freshly Bailey Metal Pet Comb in its packaging
★★★★★

“Our dogs actually like being combed now”

“The dual spaced teeth really help get the tangles out so they don't turn into mats overtime… The rounded tips of the teeth prevent scratching and irritation of the dogs' skin which was important for us because one of ours has really sensitive skin.”

Sarah Y., Yorkie owner · Customer photo

★★★★★

Must have for the Doodle breed

“Great tool. Helps with deep knots.”

Sandra, doodle owner

★★★★★

Soft bristles but still effective

“The slickers were soft enough not to irritate my dog's skin while getting out mats on her thick doodle coat.”

Crystal E., doodle owner

★★★★★

Game changer!

“I bought 3 different brushes from Fresh Bailey including this one. All are excellent quality. I use them all daily!”

Paige B.

★★★★★

4 Doodles and I approve!

“EXCELLENT COMB!!! You will not regret buying this. Best one yet and I have 4 poodles.”

Michelle M., owner of 4 doodles

The full routine

Choose your set

Early Black Friday: through Nov 30, the 3-Step Set comes with a free Dematting Comb ($19.95 value). Every set ships free. One tap takes you straight to checkout.

Step 1 · Brush size

Step 2 · Your set

Freshly Bailey Dematting Comb for Dogs with its box

Free with your set · through Nov 30

Dematting Comb for Dogs $19.95 FREE

Made for mats that have already formed. It goes in the box with your 3-Step Set at no charge.

Questions

Before you order

Will this really keep my doodle out of a shave-down?

Groomers shave doodles when mats are too tight to brush out. The routine stops mats while they are still small tangles you can brush and comb out at home. If your doodle already has mats, the free Dematting Comb helps you work out the ones that aren't tight against the skin. A mat that is tight against the skin is a job for your groomer.

Why start now?

Mats only get tighter with time. Every bath tightens small tangles (water makes them shrink), and a mat that's left alone grows until the only fix is a shave-down. Starting the routine this week is the easiest it will ever be, and if you order the set by Nov 30, the Dematting Comb is free.

Will the long pins hurt my dog?

The pins are long and flexible, so they glide through thick coats without pulling. Use light pressure and short, pull-away strokes, and don't press the pins into the skin. That's what the detangler is for: it lets the brush do the work.

Which brush size do I need?

Small for dogs under 15 lbs. Large for dogs 15 lbs and up.

Is this only for doodles?

It's made for curly, wavy and thick coats. Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, Bernedoodles, Aussiedoodles and Poodles are the main ones, and owners also use it on Yorkies, Maltese mixes and Aussies.

My doodle already has mats. Which set should I get?

Get the 3-Step Set. Through Nov 30 it comes with a free Dematting Comb, which is made for existing mats. Mist the mat, then work from the outer edge inward, a little at a time. If a mat is tight against the skin or your dog seems to be in pain, stop and see a groomer. After that, the 3-step routine keeps new mats from forming.

What if my doodle hates being brushed?

Pick a calm time, like after a walk. Keep sessions short and end with praise and a treat. For very sensitive dogs, our Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush has short, coated pins that feel extra gentle. Once your dog is comfortable, switch to the doodle slicker brush, which works much faster on a full doodle coat.

What's line brushing?

It's how groomers brush doodles. Part the coat so you can see the skin, brush that small section from the skin outward, check it with the comb, then move up and repeat. Brushing over the top makes the coat look smooth while mats keep growing underneath. Line brushing reaches them.

How often should I brush?

At least 3 times a week. Every day is best for very curly coats. Always brush and comb before a bath, then again once your dog is fully dry.

What if it doesn't work for my dog?

Email hello@freshlybailey.com within 30 days of delivery with your order number and a quick note about what didn't work, and we'll make it right, even if you've used it. Damaged or wrong items are replaced or refunded at no cost to you.

Keep the curls. Skip the shave-down.

Spray, brush, comb. A few minutes, 3 times a week, keeps your doodle soft, curly and free of mats, and keeps you out of the shave-down chair. Every week you wait, the tangles get tighter. Order the set by Nov 30 for a free Dematting Comb. Free shipping and a 30-day guarantee.

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