The holiday season has ended, but winter weather is far from over. During the winter months, you need to take special care of your Labradoodle’s coat and paws.
If you want to avoid the dreaded annual ‘spring shave down’ this year, these winter grooming tips can help keep your Labradoodle’s coat long, healthy, shiny, and beautiful throughout the winter months.
Brush your Labradoodle more frequently
During the winter, it’s a good idea to brush your Labradoodle more frequently. We recommend thoroughly brushing your Labradoodle at least twice per week. In between longer brushing sessions, it’s a good idea to take five minutes each day to lightly brush your dog’s coat. These short sessions can prevent large, troublesome mats from forming. Regular brushing also distributes the natural oils in the coat, keeping it shiny and healthy.
Use doggy sweaters sparingly
Doggy sweaters can protect your Labradoodle from freezing temperatures during cold-weather outings, but it’s best to remove them when you come indoors. Doggy sweaters are great, but remember that they will continually rub your dog’s coat. This can lead to tangles, mats, damage, and breakage. After removing a sweater, we recommend brushing your Labradoodle’s coat to keep it smooth and tangle-free.
Take care of your Labradoodle’s paws
Don’t forget to take special care of your Labradoodle’s delicate paws during the winter months. When coming indoors after a cold-weather outing, it’s a good idea to rinse your dog’s paws with warm water. This washes away ice, gravel, rock salt, and any other harmful cold-weather chemicals.
We recommend grooming your Labradoodle’s paws regularly. Trim the hair between the paw pads to prevent ice, snow, and debris from sticking. Your Labradoodle may also benefit from waterproof booties, which can minimize winter wear and tear.
Trim your Labradoodle’s nails regularly
During the winter months, you may notice that your Labradoodle’s nails don’t wear down as quickly. It’s important to trim your dog’s nails regularly to keep them nice and short. Long nails can make it difficult for your pup to get good traction outdoors. How do you know when the nails are short enough? In general, the nails shouldn’t touch the ground when your Labradoodle is standing or walking.
Set small grooming goals
Caring for your Labradoodle’s coat can seem like an overwhelming task at times, especially in the winter when the coat and paws need extra attention. If you’ve already fallen behind, don’t try to catch up all at once. Spend one session concentrating on your Labradoodle’s paws. The next day, move on to another area such as the ears, chest, back, or legs.
By setting and achieving small winter grooming goals, you can keep up with your Labradoodle’s coat without too much stress. If you need help, don’t hesitate to contact us for advice. We can provide additional grooming tips or help you select a professional groomer.
We hope that you and your family stay safe and warm throughout the winter season!