Care for your F1BB Labradoodle
Just like us, the better your pup feels, the better behaved they will be! We know caring for a new dog can feel daunting, but with a few good resources and some practice, you’ll settle into a comfortable routine in no time. We’ve curated the following information and resources to help you keep your pup looking and feeling great from the moment you bring them home!
Brushing
While you don’t have to lint roll your sweater constantly, you do need to regularly brush your F1BB Labradoodle’s coat to prevent matting and keep it looking beautiful. The sooner you start brushing your pup, the sooner they’ll get used to the feel of the brush, and come to enjoy sitting or lying patiently while you do so.
TIPS FOR BRUSHING YOUR F1BB LABRADOODLE:
- Slicker brushes work best.
- Brush to the skin, working from under the coat.
- Work from the feet up to the body, and then from the tail to the head.
- Brush in the direction of the hair, but add small amounts of coat to each stroke.
- At approximately eight months old, a dog’s coat will need regular brushing to strip out the puppy coat. This helps so that it doesn’t get tangled and matted in the newly forming adult coat.
- If you prefer a long coat, you’ll need to do a full comb out at least once a week to ensure that matts don’t build up.
Grooming
In addition to at-home brushing, it’s also important to find a good groomer. Ideally, you’ll want to find someone with experience grooming labradoodles and/or someone who is willing to accommodate your dog’s unique needs.
TIPS FOR THE GROOMER:
- Make sure to have the groomer only scissor-cuts the face area—NEVER allow them to shave the face, snout, or around the eyes (unless you want your doodle to walk out looking like a poodle!). The snout and beard should be evenly trimmed with the rest of the face.
- The body can be trimmed shorter or left longer depending on your lifestyle preferences, but never trim it shorter than a five blade. Even if the body is trimmed shorter, the head should be left shaggy and blended with scissors into the back of the neck if you are wanting to achieve that classic Labradoodle look.
- To help eliminate knots in the movement areas like arm, leg, pits, or privates, you can have them trim a bit shorter in those spots.
Ear Cleaning
Labradoodles have long (adorable) ears that trap and hold moisture, so regular ear cleaning is essential for your pup’s health. Check their ears every few weeks, and if they look dirty, get a cotton ball (or makeup remover pad, etc.) and wet it with an ear cleaner solution, then gently rub the inside ear flap and the folds you can see, but don’t dig down deep in the ear! Every so often, you can get their ears waxed and check at your trusted vet. This is the only regular health issue that comes with the breed.
Bathing
You don’t need to bathe your F1BB Labradoodle often, as their coats are designed to repel dirt. In fact, over bathing can harm this dirt-repellant quality in their coat and can actually cause you to need to bathe them even more often. If they get dirty, let them air dry and simply brush the dirt out. That being said, it is good to get them accustomed to getting wet, so when you do fully bathe them, make sure to use shampoo specifically designed for dogs, as their PH balance is different from humans.
Nail Clipping & Teeth Brushing
Try to clip your pup’s nails often from a young age so they get used to it and learn it’s really no big deal! You can start by just clipping the nails on one paw when they are tuckered out and relaxed.
TIPS FOR NAIL CLIPPING:
- Practice clipping their nails 4 days in a row, rather than once and then wait for them to grow out again.
- Clip just the tip of the nail where it starts to curve downward, holding the nail clippers parallel to the bottom of the paw.
- Be careful not to clip too much, otherwise it will hurt and the nail may bleed.
- Lean towards clipping little bits more often, rather than trying to get a lot off all at once.
Just like us, Labradoodle puppies need regular dental care to keep their smile (and breath) fresh! We recommend brushing your doodle’s teeth as often as you groom them to prevent gum disease and other oral issues.
Mental Exercise
Brain training is just as important for your dog as physical exercise! Dogs who are bored are more likely to be up to no good, so the more you exercise your dog’s brain, the happier and calmer they will be. Believe it or not, mental fatigue makes dogs (and humans) feel more physically tired than physical effort alone.
Provide simple, fun games and exercises for your dog such as hide and seek, scavenger hunts, and fetch and carry, and you’ll be shocked how easily they lie down for a nice long nap!
Physical Exercise
While the F1bb Labradoodle is not a hyper breed that requires hours of activity each day, every dog needs physical exercise! A dog lacking exercise, no matter how much they’re loved, may become frustrated and poorly behaved. A good 30-45 minute daily walk should meet their needs. Running across the yard, chasing a ball at their own pace, or taking a jaunt around the neighborhood are all excellent ways to meet their exercise needs. But remember, if your dog is still growing, do not take him or her for long jogs, since developing joints can be harmed by repetitive motion on hard surfaces.
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