If you have a Cockapoo....

[Whyisitdarkalready]

I'm trying to save money so have never taken my 11 month old to a groomers. I've used clippers and done her myself. She looks great! But, my question is, if you take yours to a groomers, how short do they clip round the head? I'm finding she's getting lots of matted fur under her ear flaps and round her ears up to the top of her head. I'm wondering if this part is usually clipped close by a professional... Not the top of her head, but the back which extends to her collar and round her ears.

If anyone would be kind enough to attach a pic I'd be grateful.

Thanks all.

I do my springer myself and after lots of messing around with scissors I just ran the clippers behind his ears. It took so much long hair out.

Do you brush your dog between clipping?
I have a cockapoo and find that I need to brush her at least once a week when short (1/2") and more as the coat grows.

I also use a grooming spray to reduce matting.

She hates being brushed so she doesn't get brushed regularly. Guessi need to persevere and get her used to it. Any tips??

@Ylvamoon Can you recommend a grooming spray please? Sounds like it may help her get used to being brushed. Thanks.

The hair tends to be softer and finer around/under the ears so matts more easily, I use a metal grooming comb to keep it matt free Cavashon rather than cockerpoo but yes groomers tend to clip shorter round the back of the ear.

I think Cockapoos vary so much in fur type. Ours has the type of fur which mats really easily wheras others seem to have much silkier type fur and others much tighter curls. I don't like it when mine has been to the groomers as she cuts her so short but understand why she has to do it because the fur gets so matted everywhere.

@Babyroobs The fur on her head and round her head is literally corkscrew shaped! But it's wavier all over her body.

I use BioSilk Detangling and Shine Spray for Dogs ... it isn't cheap and has a perfume type smell but it keeps the coat soft & shiny.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/BioSilk-Detangling-Shine-Spray-Dog/dp/B01330IKAA/ref=asc_df_B01330IKAA/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309842998506&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3763283828851601749&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007208&hvtargid=pla-306681987993&psc=1

You really need to be brushing her daily, that’s why she’s matting. Imagine your own hair if you hadn’t bushed it. Look up de-sensitisation techniques, it’ll be hard work but you can’t leave her unbrushed between grooms. Matted hair can be very very painful too and honestly it’s neglectful imo.

I didn't say I never brush her!! I brush her every few days as she doesn't like it. But some areas are easier than others and round her ears is the most sensitive for her. If you knew my dog and my family, you would never use the word neglectful. I will take your opinion on board.

Thank you for the link @Ylvamoon

If you search for Cockapoo Grooming on TikTok, you can find loads of tips there.

Look at a YouTube clip.

My boy isn’t too keen on being brushed so we keep him quite short (groomers every 6 weeks) and we still brush him a couple of times a week. We keep his ears longer so they are the focus of a lot of the brushing.

We use a lickimat with chicken paste on it to keep him still and calm and we couldn’t do it without so that might be worth a try if you haven’t already

If she's matted, even slightly, then I would take her to a groomers and get them to clip her closely all over, then you have a clean slate to start from.

Doodle type coats get matted very easily, so as PP said you really do need to keep them clean and brush them daily to avoid knots and matts. A matted coat is incredibly painful for them and can be prone to infection.

Going forward you can then brush her daily - do lots of desensitisation with positive reinforcement (food!) so that she gets used to it and sees it as a positive thing - you could do a couple of short sessions a day at first, then build up over time. Good luck!

Thanks everyone for your advice. She's currently wearing a surgical suit as she was spayed last week, but once she's free of it I'm going to seriously tackle her dislike of the brush. I'm watching lots of YouTube tutorials to help. I've also ordered some new clippers specially for thicker coats and I'm going to take her to the groomers to start with a clean slate, as a pp suggested.

Thank you!

I have a Bichon and he has dense fur that mats easily if not brushed- especially his face and ears. Tangle teazer do a brush for different breeds. It’s a bit gentler and may help? We’ve used it on our bits face.
We do use the groomer though and have done since he was a puppy- he’s really good at being handled as a result, which has been a real benefit while at the vet for some recent health problems! Maybe try a bit of both.