Winter Doodle Care
Foot Pad Care in the Winter
A gentle reminder that, while you may allow your doodle’s coat to grow a little longer in the winter, trim the hair on their feet regularly. It doesn’t take any time at all for ice to form on the hair between their toes, and that ice will cause sores. Think of it as the blisters we get from a new pair of shoes. Not only will it make walking uncomfortable, but there’s also a significant risk of infection. Groomers will use clippers with very short blades to get all the hair out; I wouldn’t recommend doing that at home. A good alternative between visits to the salon is to use a pin brush to comb the hair between the toes up, then holding the hair with your finger as a guide, trim with scissors. The majority of my dogs will fight having their feet trimmed, have one person hold them up on their hind legs (hold small sproodles in the air – under their front legs). They struggle a little less when they’re dangling.
Long Hair in the Winter
Sure your doodle will feel warmer with a little extra hair in the winter, but keep in mind that when it gets wet, it will feel like he’s wearing a cold, damp blanket. So whether you keep it a little longer or opt for a shaggy look, make sure you spend a little time using a dryer to ensure he’s completely dry. I keep Winston and Jack shorter to lessen the amount of time it takes to dry them. Then after a quick rub down with my Soggy Doggy towel, they’re ready for a nap by the fire.
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