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Tips - House Training - Shave & Groom - Bathing - Tools - Ears - Eyes
Teeth - Nails - Crate Training
LABRADOODLE CARE
Labradoodles are people dogs. They have a strong desire to be near you, often sitting or laying on your feet or lap. They like lots of pats and cuddles. Just being with you makes them sooo happy.
Their strong desire to please you makes them so very trainable. Their intelligence makes them a pleasure to be with. Labradoodles make great service and therapy dogs. They shine in obedience and agility classes. They love to go with you wherever you go. When you can’t take them with you, they are waiting to welcome you home with love and enthusiasm.
CRATE TRAINING
I start crate training my puppies before they leave my home, that way they’re not afraid of the crate and the new owners finish the training. Usually this eliminates the puppy crying at night.
Start with a small crate that gives your Labradoodle just enough room to be comfortable. Put a blanket in the crate. Feed your puppy in the crate, always be where your puppy can see you, they may not eat and spend the time protesting, but do not let him/her out when they are making noise or digging at the door. Some dogs get upset, some do not protest much at all – if you have a protester, speak quietly to him/her to reassure them, sometimes you need to tap the top of the crate to get their attention and stop the noise. When they are finished their food and are quiet, let them walk out of the crate, speak happily to them and pet them.
Then carry them immediately outside to do their business. Each time you put your dog in the crate, make it a happy time, give them food or cookies in the crate, never let them out when they are protesting – let them out when they are quiet. A crate is never to be used as punishment.
Each time you put your puppy in the crate, leave them in longer each time. They soon nap, eat and enjoy treats in their crate. If you leave the door open at all times you may find your puppy in there on his/her own. Each time you put your dog in the crate, give them a toy and treat inside the crate with them. Feeding your dog in his/her crate teaches them good eating habits, puppies are distracted easily and sometimes they eat a mouthful of food and then run off somewhere to investigate a noise or play a bit with a toy or a child. In the crate they eat, later if you feed them out in the kitchen as an adult, they will already have learned to eat when the food is given. Using a crate to feed your dog in also teaches your dog to rest after meals and help lessen the chance of bloat. Your dog will soon learn to like his/her crate, it is their room, their private place. When your dog is in the crate, do not allow anyone to tease or torment the dog, no face up against the door, no fingers through the crate and no banging on the top. Be sure your dog goes outside to the bathroom before you put them in their crate, a car ride, a nap or for the night. In the case of a puppy or dog in a new home, put the crate in your room beside the bed so that you can reassure him/her by speaking quietly to them or pet them through the crate (the only time you do this!)
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NAILS
There are several types of nail clippers on the market, choose the style you are comfortable with. Lift your dog’s foot and examine the nails, trim where the nail narrows and starts to curve. Look at the tip where you trimmed, if the center is white and dry looking, you can trim a bit more off, if the center is dark and moist, stop – another bit off and the nail will start bleeding! There are several powders on the market to stop the bleeding if you do trim too much. Nails can be tipped once a week, but usually it is done with each grooming. Dogs do not like their front feet picked up and nails being trimmed, they may object. Having someone hold your dog will be of benefit. The back feet are easier.
Remember to trim the dew claws, Labradoodles are left natural, the dew claws are not removed.
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TEETH
Brush your dog’s teeth regularly, always using products made for dogs. There are several toothpaste products and flavours on the market. Never use human toothpaste!
Select a soft child’s toothbrush or one made for dogs. There are rubber finger-toothbrushes to start your dog getting used to having foreign objects in his/her mouth.
Brush up and down on the sides and back and forth on the biting areas of the teeth, the same way you would brush your own teeth.
Give your dog hard cookies/biscuits, pressed rawhide, dentabones, nylabones, boodabones or smoked bones to satisfy their need to chew and keep their teeth free of tartar.
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EYES
Be sure to always keep the hair trimmed around the eyes to prevent the hair from poking into the eyes. Use a damp clean cotton ball and wipe the eye, starting at the outside corner and wipe to the inside corner and then down, pulling the debris out of the eye. Polysporin drops for eyes can be used to soothe the eye. If there is blood, severe redness or pain, consult your veterinarian. Clean your dog’s eyes whenever necessary.
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EARS
Pull the hair from the ear canal with your finger and thumb. Go as far into the ear as you can reach. The use of Ear Powder helps to grip the hair and pull it out. There are several Ear Powders on the market. Do not squirt the powder into the ear – remove the lid, hold the opening against the ear and tap some powder into the outer ear.
Clean the ear with an Ear Cleaner, there are several brands on the market. Use a clean cotton ball or pad, you can squirt some cleaner into the ear, blot up the excess that drains out right away, then use a cotton ball or pad to go into the ear and clean and dry the canal. Or, you can spray the cleaner onto a cotton ball or pad and clean the ear. Repeat this process until the pad or cotton ball comes out clean, be sure to dry the canal. If there is heavy dark matter, blood and/or pain in your dog’s ear, consult a veterinarian.
Pulling the hair out opens the pores and often makes the inside red. Because of this I pull the hair one day and clean the next, as the cleaner can sting and cause irritation.
If you notice your dog holding his head to one side, shaking his/her head more than usual or crying when you rub his ears, consult a veterinarian.
Clean your dog’s ears every time you bathe and groom him/her. If your dog’s ears have yeasty or foul odour, see your veterinarian.
Use only shampoos and conditioners made for dogs! There are many brands and formulas, select the one that is right for your dog. Use puppy shampoo on puppies, always use a no-tears formula on all dogs. Some shampoos and conditioners are in a concentrated form and require mixing with water before use – follow the directions on the label. I use my empty dish detergent bottles to mix the shampoo or conditioner and to apply it. Flea shampoo is to be used with care, read the labels and follow them exactly!
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TOOLS
Slicker brush (soft), Pin brush, Metal comb – combination fine and coarse teeth, Nail clippers, Cotton balls and cotton pads, Ear cleaner, Ear powder, Shampoo, rinse and conditioner, Blow Dryer, Clippers (many brands on the market), Blades: size #10, #2 or #3
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ANDIS 2 SPEED ELECTRIC TRIMMER WITH ASSORTED BLADES
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ARCO CORDLESS TRIMMER
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ASSORTED NAIL CLIPPERS
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FINE & COURSE TOOTH COMBS
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PIN BRUSH
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SLICKER BRUSH
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BATHING
To bathe your Labradoodle at home brush and comb your Doodle’s coat before the bath, they should be completely tangle free. Have your shampoo and conditioner (if you choose to use one) close at hand. The towels should also be easy to reach. Always use a shampoo and conditioner specifically for use on dogs.
Remove the plug from the tub, unless the feet are really dirty and need soaking, but most times just let the water drain as you bathe the dog. A hand sprayer attached to the shower head is essential. Be sure to get 2 pieces of hose so that you have enough length to be able to rinse all of your dog.
Put the dog in the tub, select a warm temperature (never hot!) and totally wet your Doodle’s coat from head to end of tail and underneath, legs and feet. Avoid getting soapy water in the ears and eyes. If soap does get into the eyes, wash with lots of clear lukewarm water and blot the area dry with a clean towel. Turn off the water and apply the shampoo, use a sponge to apply the shampoo and to work it into the hair and make a lather. If you have left your Doodle in long hair be sure not to scrub back and forth, this causes tangles – work only in one direction.
When your dog has been completely shampooed - do not forget the underside – rinse with warm water. Be sure to rinse thoroughly and when you think you’ve rinsed enough, rinse again. Be sure to remove all the shampoo, tummy, under the tail and the genital area, leave no shampoo residue. If using a conditioner, apply it in the same manner and rinse well.
Turn off the water, blot and squeeze the water from the hair with a towel. Do not rub, use as many towels as are necessary to remove the water. Remove your dog from the tub, use your blow dryer (set on warm, not too hot) and a brush to dry the hair, keep the dryer moving, so as not to burn your dog’s skin or hair. Brush as you go in the direction the hair grows. Wipe out the ears and eyes, as well as under the tail and genitalia. Now you have a clean Doodle.
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SHAVE AND GROOM
Labradoodles can be left in their natural state and let the hair grow – this style requires a lot of brushing and combing to keep the coat tangle free. Fleece coats tend to grow faster than wool coats.
A Labradoodle’s coat never stops growing. You decide what is best for you, your home and your dog’s comfort when deciding whether to shave your Labradoodle or not. What is the weather like where you live? Snowballs do form in the dog’s hair, on their legs, tummy and feet. Put your Doodle into the tub using the sprayer, leave the plug in the tub if there are heavy snowballs on their feet; spray warm water onto the snowballs on the body to melt them. Blot the wet hair with a towel and use your blow dryer and a brush to dry their hair. If it is very hot, think of your dog’s comfort.
At about 9 – 14 months Labradoodles go through a coat change – that puppy fluff becomes an adult coat. During this time the hair mats very easily, lots of brushing and combing are needed.
I shave the coats of my Labradoodles to avoid this coat change. Do not shave the hair too short, this will cause a change in texture, often the coat comes in curly (more curly)! Use a #2 or #3 blade on the body and legs in the direction the hair grows.
If you keep your Labradoodle in short hair, you shave first, then bathe the dog. After the bath you re-shave and use scissors to trim the hair on head, face and feet. Clip nails, clean ears, teeth and eyes before you bathe them.
ALWAYS BE CAREFUL NOT TO GET WATER AND SOAP IN THE EARS AND EYES!
After your Labradoodle has been bathed. Dried and brushed, using a #3 or #2 blade, start at the back of the neck, even with the base of the ears. Shave from head to base of tail, shave the entire body and legs in the direction the hair grows. Lift each ear and shave down from the ear to the throat. From the throat down the neck to the chest and between the front legs. Be sure to leave the beard, it starts from the corners of the mouth and forward to the chin and lips on the bottom of the jaw. Shave from the corners of the mouth to the throat to clean up the throat area and to accentuate the beard. DO NOT SHAVE THE HAIR ON THE FACE.
Scissor the hair on the top of the head in a dome shape and blend the hair into the hair on the ears, trim the beard and make it tidy to complete the symmetrical look of the head. Comb the hair around the muzzle and eyes in the direction the hair grows, comb the hair up around the eye and trim the hair that may poke into the dog’s eyes. Be careful not to poke the eyes with the scissors, use a ball tip scissor in this delicate area. Comb the hair on the muzzle down parting it in the middle of the top of the muzzle. This hair can be thinned with thinning scissors if it is thick and stands up.
Scissor the facial hair so it is symmetrical and blend in to the shape of the head making it look tidy. Some labradoodles look attractive with the top of their heads shaved, use the #3 of #4 blade, leaving their eyes bushy like a schnauzer. No blending at the back of neck is needed as the hair on the head is now the same length as the back of the neck and body. Trim the hair at the bottom of the ear, being careful not to cut the ear leather. In some cases shaving the entire ear with a #4 blade is attractive and suits some head and face shapes. I like to leave my dog’s ears long and I only trim to keep the ends tidy.
The hair above the eyes may need to be trimmed to keep it from falling down into the eyes. With scissors, blend the hair on the back of the head into the hair on the neck. Use scissors to trim around the feet to keep them neat and avoid the pancake look. Trim the hair on the top of the feet to blend into the leg hair, but do not cut the hair so short as to expose the foot and toes. For the bottom of the feet use a #10 blade and shave the hair from around the large foot pad to avoid matting. Do not shave between the toes.
The tail can be trimmed with scissors to be sabre-shaped, and left bushy and full. Trim under the tail to keep the rectum free of long hair. In some cases the tail can be shaved or cut with scissors. Use a #10 blade to shave the tummy area, between the back legs, shave genitalia on females, the sheath on males.
I bathe my Labradoodles once a month. Frequency of bathing your dog is your choice, depending on what your dog gets into, and of course it depends on weather – muddy dogs are not fun.
Always use a dog shampoo/conditioner.
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HOUSE TRAINING
Take your puppy outside every 2 hours until you learn his/her pattern. Pick a place in your yard where you want your dog to go to the bathroom and every time you take the dog out to the bathroom, take him/her to that same place, the puppy soon learns what is expected of him/her and they learn to go only there. Do not play with your puppy when you make these bathroom trips, the two of you are there for only one reason. When your puppy does go to the bathroom, be happy, them that they are a good dog, be enthusiastic, so the puppy knows what he/she did and where he/she did it is a good thing. Carry your puppy out to that spot, if they follow you through the house they may stop and go on the floor. Never put your puppy outside to go all by him/herself, they may be scared and hide, and unless you see your puppy go to the bathroom, you can’t be sure they really did go.
When your puppy is in the process of going to the bathroom – usually to pee – you can select a word to use as a command, like ‘go pee’, ‘do your business’, ‘go potty’ or whatever you are comfortable using, say these words to your puppy as he/she goes, say it each and every time. You can actually train your dog to go on command. I have several dogs trained this way, it is great when it is raining or bitter cold, or when you are traveling and you take a bathroom stop. Pick up after your dog and in public always carry plastic bags for cleanup.
Young puppies need to go to the bathroom before bedtime, first thing in the morning, after meals, after playtime and after naps. As your puppy gets older the rate of frequency diminishes. Some dogs learns to ask to go out. Remember, you have to learn your dog’s routine and you have to take them outside. An adult can go out to the spot on their own. Elderly dogs will have to go to the bathroom more frequently and sometimes during the night. Some people train their dogs to use litter boxes and to go on paper using the same method.
When your puppy stops playing or stops doing the activity it was engaged in and starts to pace or to circle and appears to be looking for something, they need to go out, quickly pick them up and take them out to the spot. Remember to praise him/her when they go outside in the chosen spot.
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TIPS
It is illegal in many areas to transport dogs in open pickups without the use of a safe, secure restraint. Remember, make your house rules before your new dog or puppy comes home. Whatever you allow them to do in the early days they will do as adults. It is very difficult to break a habit! When your dog is riding in the vehicle with you (which they love to do) train them to ride quietly in the back, with no jumping around, so as to not cause any harm to themselves or to distract you. There are seat belts on the market, or use a crate and secure it with the seat belt.
If you go boating and you take your dog along, be sure to get a lifejacket for him/her. There are several on the market, the weight of your dog determines which size to buy.
Leave your animals at home on hot days, leaving them in the car is a death sentence for your pet!
If your dog has thin foot pads, they may need boots to protect their feet from the pavement, snow, ice and salt. Remember, when walking on pavement or cement in the summer these are very hot – try walking barefoot yourself and you will know what your poor dog is enduring on those walks.
NEVER, NEVER allow your dog to sniff other dog’s feces. Worms and diseases can be spread this way.
If your dog is outside for more than 20 minutes at a time be sure to provide shelter from the weather and always have lots of water available, It is just as important for a dog to have water in the winter as it is in the summer.
Use a crate for your dog at home, it is a great housebreaking tool and will keep your house and your dog safe when you are out. Friends, relatives and motels welcome crate-trained dogs.
Dogs are natural denning animals and soon learn to love their crates and their time out from the goings-on in the home.
Labradoodles are intelligent and bloom in obedience classes, all the dogs should know how to walk on a leash, sit, down, stay, and most important, to come immediately when called!
Stainless steel bowls are durable and do not harbor bacteria, they are easy to clean and last a long time.
Always use dog products when caring for your dog, toothpaste, shampoo, eye and ear cleaners, etc.
Choose a veterinarian with care, check their credentials. Ask other pet owners, if you feel comfortable with the person and you can work together, your dog will sense your confidence. Remember, the vet works for you.
Choose your trainer the same way. Some specialize in puppies.
Some large breeds can be prone to bloat and torsion, presoaking their dry kibble will reduce the chances of bloat, always feed your dog in a quiet atmosphere, no strenuous exercise immediately before or after meals. Using a crate to feed your dog in will teach your dog to lie quietly after a meal. Let your dog out of the crate an hour after finishing their meal.
Be sure your yard is securely fenced to protect your dog.
If you are feeding canned food; on hot days keep the cans in the fridge for a more refreshing meal.
Do not feed your dog chocolate or raw onions as these foods are detrimental to their health.
If your dog develops allergies that you suspect may be food related, beef and wheat are on the top of the list of allergy causing foods.
If your dog is doing an unusual amount of scratching and develops bald or hot spots, consult your vet. Rich food is sometimes an aggravating factor.
When using a crate, consider it to be their private space. Do not allow anyone to pester the dog while it is in the crate, no fingers poking through the door, etc. NEVER USE A CRATE FOR PUNISHMENT.
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Avonlee Labradoodles
Ann Bankert
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