7 Reasons Your Doodle Keeps Matting (and How to Stop It)
You brush your doodle on Monday. By Wednesday, the knots are back. Sound familiar?
We started Freshly Bailey in 2020 because keeping our doodle Bailey's coat free of mats was a real struggle. Here is what we learned: most mats come from a few small habits. And every one of them is easy to fix.
Low shedding does not mean low maintenance
Doodles are low shedding, but they still lose hair. In a curly coat, that loose hair doesn't fall to the floor. It gets trapped in the curls. Over a few days it twists into tangles, and tangles tighten into mats.
Mats pull on your dog's skin and hurt. They trap dirt and moisture. And bad matting often ends in a full shave-down at the groomer.
Mats start at the skin, not on top
A coat can look smooth and fluffy on top while mats grow underneath. Brushing only the top layer misses them.
The fix is line brushing. Hold the coat up with one hand so you can see a line of skin. Brush a small row of hair down and away. Move up a little and repeat. Don't skip the trouble spots: behind the ears, the armpits, the collar area and the tail.
You're brushing without a detangler
A detangler softens the coat so the brush glides through instead of pulling. Your dog will feel the difference.
Mist one section at a time, then brush that section. Use a light mist, not a soaking.
Doodle Detangler Spray
★★★★☆4.3 (44 reviews)
A leave-in conditioner made for curly and wavy coats. Helps loosen tangles and leaves a light Sweet Rose scent between baths.
$22.95
Shop nowYour brush pins are too short
Most slicker brushes have short pins. On a doodle, they skim the top and miss the tangles underneath. So we made our slicker brush with extra-long pins for thick, curly coats.
Slicker Brush for Doodles
★★★★★4.9 (76 reviews)
Extra-long pins reach the hair near the skin. The curved head follows your dog's body, so brushing feels gentle. Small for dogs under 15 lbs, Large for 15 lbs and up.
From $23.95
Shop now"The slickers were soft enough not to irritate my dog's skin while getting out mats on her thick doodle coat."
Crystal Ellis, doodle owner
You're skipping the comb
This is the step most doodle owners skip. A metal comb finds what the brush missed.
The comb test: run the comb from the skin out to the tips. If it glides all the way through, you're done. If it snags, there's a mat hiding there. Mist that spot, brush it again, then comb again.
Greyhound Metal Comb
★★★★★4.9 (40 reviews)
Stainless steel teeth with rounded tips that won't scratch. An anti-slip handle gives you a steady grip.
$15.95
Shop now"It helps remove tangles without pulling or irritating her skin."
Matto, Goldendoodle owner
Bath day is making mats worse
Water tightens tangles. A small knot can go into the bath and come out as a big mat.
Brush and comb before every bath. Dry the coat all the way (a blow dryer on low heat works best). Then brush again once your doodle is dry.
You're waiting for the weekend
An hour fighting mats on Saturday is hard on you and your dog. A few minutes, 3 times a week, stops most mats before they start. Every day is best for very curly coats.
Your 3-step routine
- Spray. Mist one section with detangler spray.
- Brush. Line brush that section down to the skin.
- Comb. Comb from the skin out. If it snags, brush that spot again.
Already have a mat?
Life gets busy and mats happen. A dematting comb can save you from a shave-down. 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.
Dematting Comb
★★★★★4.7 (27 reviews)
Made to get deep into coats that mat easily, like a doodle's.
$17.95
Shop nowHow to brush a doodle the right way
This is the routine we use. It takes a few minutes, 3 times a week (every day for very curly coats). Work one small section at a time and finish all 3 steps on that section before you move on.
Spray
Mist the section with Doodle Detangler Spray. Use a light mist, not a soaking. It softens the coat so the brush glides instead of pulling.
Brush
Line brush the section all the way down to the skin with the Slicker Brush for Doodles. The long pins reach the hair near the skin, where mats start. (See how to line brush below.)
Comb
Run the Greyhound Metal Comb from the skin out to the tips. If it glides all the way through, move to the next section. If it snags, mist that spot, brush it again, then comb again.
How to line brush
Line brushing means brushing the coat in small rows, so you reach the hair near the skin instead of just the top.
- Start low. Begin at the bottom of a back leg or the lower body.
- Make a line. Hold the coat up with one hand so you can see a line of skin.
- Brush a small row. Brush the hair below the line down and away from it. Use short, gentle pull-away strokes. Don't press the pins into the skin or drag them across it.
- Move up and repeat. Let down a little more hair, make a new line just above the last one, and brush again. Keep going until you've worked up the whole leg or side.
- Do the trouble spots. Take off the collar or harness first. Then line brush behind the ears, the armpits, the collar area, the belly, the back legs and the tail. These mat first.
- Clean the brush. When you're done, run your metal comb through the pins to pull out the hair.
Make it easy on your dog. Pick a calm time, like after a walk. Keep sessions short, and end with praise and a treat so the next one goes smoother. And always brush out mats before a bath, since water makes them tighter.
Get the 3-step set
Everything you need to stop mats before they start. One tap takes you straight to checkout.
- Doodle Detangler Spray$22.95
- Slicker Brush for DoodlesFrom $23.95
- Greyhound Metal Comb$15.95
Large brush for dogs 15 lbs and up. Small for under 15 lbs. Free shipping.
Quick answers
How often should I brush my doodle?
At least 3 times a week. Every day is best for very curly coats.
Which brush size do I need?
Small for dogs under 15 lbs. Large for 15 lbs and up.
What if my doodle hates being brushed?
Keep sessions short and give lots of treats. 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. It works much faster on a full doodle coat.
Spray, brush, comb. A few minutes, 3 times a week, keeps your doodle soft, fluffy and free of mats.
Get the 3-step set