The Coat and Nails of your Australian Labradoodle

Tips for Maintaining your Australian Labradoodle

Bathing

Bathe your Australian Labradoodle pup once every two months or as often as needed. Be sure to brush him or her before each bath in order to get all of the mats out of his or her coat. Once mats are dampened, they become more difficult to rectify. (Please see the blog post about brushing your Australian Labradoodle for help in this area. Brushing your Australian Labradoodle)

• Place a rubber mat in your bathtub or a towel in your sink, for secure footing.
• Place a cotton ball in each of your pup’s ears to prevent water from entering.
• Rinse your pet with warm water. Use a spray hose if one is available, but be sure to keep the nozzle very close to your dog’s body. Never spray him or her in the face. Use a cup to gently wet the face.
• Apply a shampoo designed especially for pets in small amounts, working from the head to the tail of your Australian Labradoodle being careful not to get soap in the eyes.
• Be sure to clean the rectum, between the toes, behind the ears, and under the chin.
• Thoroughly rinse your pet with warm water.
• Dry your Australian Labradoodle with a towel. Thoroughly drying your dog with a towel will lesson the time needed for using the hair dryer. Make sure that your puppy or dog is completely dry, especially during the cold winter months, so that he does not pick up a cold.

Nails

Trim your Australian Labradoodle’s nails about once per month. You will need a clipper designed specifically for the kind of companion animal you have. Either a scissor or guillotine-style clipper can be used. You should also purchase a small bottle of blood-clotting powder called styptic power and have a couple of cotton swabs ready to use in case you need them.

• Have your Australian Labradoodle sit beside you.
• Place one of his or her paws in your hand and gently pull it forward. If your pet dislikes being handled this way, slowly accustom him or her to it by offering treats and praise.
• Gradually shorten one nail. Be sure to stop before you reach the quick, which is the part of the nail that contains nerves and blood vessels. If you cannot see the quick clearly, stop cutting just behind the point at which the nail begins to curve downward.
• If you cut into the quick, do not panic. Put some clotting powder on a moist cotton swab and press it firmly against the nail for several seconds. The bleeding will quickly stop.
• Repeat the process until all of your companion animal’s nails have been trimmed.

Do not forget to trim the dewclaw of your Australian Labradoodle located on the inside of the front legs just above the paws. (Some dogs do not have dewclaws.)