Master poodle grooming with these tips

It is said that a poodle is not a "lazy person's dog." This is precisely due to the grooming requirements – a curly coat remains beautiful and tangle-free only if it is regularly maintained. Regularity is the foundation of grooming: even a small daily effort saves a lot of time and trouble later on. Think of grooming like dental hygiene; if you brush your teeth daily, you avoid worse cavities. Similarly, when you brush and care for a poodle's coat a little and often, you won't have to battle with huge tangles.

In fact, even a week without brushing can lead to surprises in a poodle's coat – many have experienced that sneaky tangles appear under the armpits or behind the ears when there's a break in brushing. Even a small delay can easily result in extra work later, so prevention is the wisest course.

Regular grooming is important not only for appearance but also for the dog's health and comfort. Dirt, moisture, and even parasites can settle unnoticed under a severely matted coat. The skin also does not breathe properly under a felted layer of hair, which can lead to redness, itching, or rashes. Large mats can cause pain to the dog, as they pull the skin and hair uncomfortably. A clearly uncomfortable feeling in the coat inevitably affects the dog's mood and activity level.

When grooming a poodle's coat is a regular part of everyday life, both the owner and the dog have an easier time. The condition of the coat remains consistently good, and grooming sessions do not become excessively long. Additionally, a dog accustomed to regular grooming routines experiences less stress from handling. When brushing and washing become familiar, many dogs even start to enjoy these calm grooming moments – especially if they are combined with scratches and treats. The end result is a clean, tangle-free, and healthy dog, with whom it is a pleasure to spend time.

Summary: Commitment to a grooming routine is rewarding. Prefer a grooming interval that is too short rather than too long – remember to quickly brush your poodle in the evening while watching TV or schedule a washing session in your calendar every couple of weeks. Next, we will go through the concrete grooming steps one by one, so you can see how to keep a poodle's coat in good condition day after day.

Brushing is the cornerstone of poodle coat care. Regular brushing keeps the coat airy, clean, and prevents the formation of tangles in advance. For most poodles, daily brushing or at least every couple of days is recommended, especially if the coat is longer. A poodle trimmed short may not need brushing quite as frequently, but going through the coat regularly is still necessary. Brushing removes loose hair, straightens curls, and distributes the skin's natural oils throughout the coat, which keeps the hair in good condition.

Tools: The best tools for brushing a poodle are, for example, a medium-sized slicker brush (i.e., a rectangular, dense metal pin brush) and a metal comb. The slicker glides well through curly fur and helps effectively untangle knots. With the comb, you can finally ensure that the coat is completely knot-free – the comb will reveal if any area is still stuck. Many poodle owners also use a light coat care spray to assist with brushing. For example, Nocat Studio coat care spray is lightly sprayed onto the coat before brushing: it slightly moisturizes the hair, removes static, and makes detangling easier.

The following are step-by-step tips for brushing a poodle and detangling mats:

1. Prepare the place and equipment: 

Choose a calm place where the dog is in a comfortable position – many have a grooming table or even a towel on top of the washing machine. Ensure you have a suitable brush (slicker), comb, and, if desired, a coat care spray within reach. Reward the dog for staying calm with a small treat before starting.

2. Go through the coat one area at a time: 

Start brushing, for example, from the hind legs or the rear end. Brush against the grain with small strokes, meaning lift the fur from the base by brushing towards the head, so you can also brush close to the base of the fur. Proceed in small sections: you can divide the coat into layers by moving the upper hairs aside and brushing the layers underneath first. This ensures that the entire coat is brushed from root to tip. This systematic technique is called line brushing, and it ensures that no tangle is hidden under the surface layer.

3. Be gentle with tangles: 

If the brush encounters a tangle, do not pull it forcefully. Spray a little conditioner spray on the tangle and let it sit for a moment. Hold the base of the tangle (close to the skin) with one hand so you don't pull the dog's skin, and start to gently untangle it with a brush or fingers. Work on the tangle from the tip towards the base in small steps – do not try to tear the entire tangle open at once. Patience is rewarded, and eventually, the tangle usually gives way. If necessary, you can also use scissors extremely carefully: cut the tangle open in its direction (lengthwise) with a small snip, do not cut through the entire hair follicle, so that there is no noticeable gap in the coat.  

4. Finally, check with a comb: 

When you have brushed the entire dog, use a metal comb for verification. Gently pull the comb through the coat from different parts of the body. If the comb gets stuck at any point or does not go through smoothly, there is still a small tangle or mat in that area. Brush that spot again and try with the comb once more. The comb acts as "quality control" to ensure that the coat is completely tangle-free.

5. Reward and praise: 

At the end of the grooming session, praise the dog calmly and give it some petting or playtime. Positive feedback teaches the dog that grooming is a pleasant part of everyday life. You can also give a small treat as a reward for good cooperation.

Remember, the brushing session doesn't have to be an hour-long marathon every evening. A longer coat does take time, but you can also divide the task into several shorter sessions. The most important thing is to prevent tangles from forming uncontrollably. When you make brushing a routine, you'll notice that the poodle's curls remain beautiful and mat-free day after day.

What if the coat is already badly matted? If you notice that your poodle's fur has already matted into dense felt-like layers against the skin over large areas, it is often fairest to consider having the coat completely clipped short by a professional. Although there are special combs and clippers for detangling, opening very severe mats is painful and laborious for the dog. In such cases, the gentlest solution is to start fresh: clip the coat short with a machine and begin new growth from a clean slate. At the same time, you can arrange a schedule with the groomer to keep the new coat open by regular brushing. The dog's health and comfort always take precedence over appearance – sometimes the fur must be sacrificed for the dog's well-being. Fortunately, the coat will grow back, and soon you can enjoy properly caring for the new coat.

Washing steps:

1. Preparations: You will need dog-appropriate shampoo, towels, and if necessary, conditioner or conditioning spray. It is important to use shampoo intended for dogs on a poodle's skin – human shampoos have the wrong pH and can dry out the skin. The Nocat Studio dog shampoo available from Muotitassun is an excellent choice: it is pH-balanced for a dog's skin and made from natural ingredients, so it cleans the coat gently without irritating the skin. Ensure that the water is at a suitable temperature (lukewarm, not too hot or cold).

2. Wet the coat thoroughly: Place the dog in the tub or shower. Start by thoroughly wetting the coat. It is important to get the entire coat wet all the way to the skin. A thick curly coat should be wetted in layers: you can start from the legs and under the belly, moving towards the back and head. Avoid letting water flow directly into the ears – if you wish, you can gently place cotton balls in the dog's ears to prevent water from entering (remember to remove them after washing!). If the dog is sensitive to water on the head, you can wash the head and ear area last, carefully with a damp sponge.

3. Shampoo and Lathering: Dispense dog shampoo into your hand or as a more diluted mixture into a wash cup. Many high-quality shampoos, such as Nocat Studio's shampoo, are concentrates that can be diluted with water – follow the product's instructions. Rub the shampoo evenly into the coat. Start from the back and neck and proceed towards the legs, tail, and belly. Remember to wash the paws, rear area, and muzzle gently (avoid getting the product directly into the eyes, even though dog shampoo is usually mild). Work the shampoo by wiping and gently massaging the coat with your fingertips to loosen dirt and spread the shampoo thoroughly down to the skin. If it has been a long time since the last wash or the dog is particularly dirty, you can rinse and wash the dog a second time after the shampoo phase – the first round removes the worst dirt, the second ensures deep cleanliness.

4. Rinse very thoroughly: Once the shampoo has been lathered throughout, it's time for a thorough rinse. Use plenty of water again and rinse the coat from top to bottom. Ensure that no shampoo residue remains in the coat – repeated rinsing is better than being too hasty. Shampoo residues can irritate the skin and make the coat sticky, so it's better to rinse once too many than too few. At the end of the rinse, you may apply conditioner to the coat (if you use one). A poodle's coat particularly benefits from conditioner when the hair is long or dry. Let the conditioner sit for a moment and rinse it out thoroughly as well.

5. Towel Drying: When the coat is clean, gently squeeze out the excess water with your hands. Do not twist or rub harshly to avoid tangling the coat. Then wrap the dog in a terry towel. Many poodles enjoy being "patted" through the towel with long strokes for a while. Change to a dry towel if necessary, if the first one becomes completely soaked. The goal is to remove the majority of the water from the coat before blow-drying.

Drying with a hairdryer:

1. Accustom the dog to drying: If possible, use a blow dryer or hairdryer to dry the dog – it is key to a tangle-free result. Not all dogs initially like the sound or airflow of the dryer, so gradually accustom the dog to it. Start with low airflow and cool temperature. Keep a small distance and associate blow-drying with giving treats, so the dog perceives it as positive.

2. Effective blow-drying and brushing: A poodle's curly coat should be blow-dried while brushing it straight. Set the blow-dryer to medium heat (not scalding hot, test the temperature with your palm first). Hold a brush (slicker or pin brush) in one hand and the blow-dryer in the other, or ask an assistant to hold the blow-dryer. Direct the airflow perpendicular to the area you are currently brushing. Start drying at the areas where the hair is short – for example, the back or sides – because short hair dries the fastest and will start curling immediately if not brushed straight. Proceed systematically, one area at a time: go through the sides, back, legs, belly, chest, and finally the tail, neck, and head. Brush repeatedly against the grain during blow-drying to straighten the coat and dry it from the roots.

3. Dry completely: Continue blow-drying patiently until the coat is thoroughly dry. It is especially important that no moisture remains close to the skin, as a damp coat will curl back and may soon mat. Check with your fingers against the skin in different areas – do you feel cool moisture? If so, continue drying. Don't forget the ear hair and between the paws, they should also be dried. Drying can take surprisingly long (up to an hour for a large poodle), but thorough drying is essential for a good result.

4. Finish by brushing: Once the coat is dry, brush the entire dog thoroughly once more. Now the fur is clean, fluffy, and blow-dried straight, so the brush glides easily. This final brushing ensures that there are no tangles left from the wash. At this stage, you can also spray a little coat care spray to add shine and protection to the coat.

5. Soft and Clean Result: Now your poodle is wonderfully soft and clean after a wash – and most importantly, tangle-free. Many dogs get excited after a bath when towel-drying or blow-drying, and a little playfulness is part of the process. However, make sure the dog doesn't immediately run outside to roll in the mud after this work! After taking good care of the coat with a proper wash, you can enjoy a clean dog in the following days, one that is easy to brush and cuddle.

If blow-drying is not possible: In an emergency, a small poodle can also be allowed to dry without a blow dryer at room temperature, as long as the coat is brushed frequently during the drying process. Wrap the dog in towels to absorb moisture and change to dry towels when the previous ones become wet. However, be prepared that without blow-drying, the coat will remain curly and may tangle more quickly – if not brushed, it can mat in just one day. Therefore, blow-drying is recommended especially for poodles with longer coats, to ensure the coat is thoroughly opened and dried down to the roots.

Coat care goes significantly better when you have the right tools and grooming products suitable for the dog's coat. With small investments, you can make daily grooming routines more efficient and pleasant for both the dog and yourself. Here are some tools and products that make poodle coat care easier:

• A proper brush and comb: A quality slicker brush and metal comb are essential tools for a poodle owner. Invest in a brush that feels sturdy in your hand and withstands use – a poor brush can tear the coat or break unexpectedly. Similarly, there are differences in metal combs; for example, a comb with double-length pins can make it easier to comb through a thick coat. Good tools last for years and make brushing effective yet gentle.

• Grooming table or non-slip surface: Even if you don't groom your dog yourself, a small grooming table or at least a non-slip mat on top of the washing machine makes care tasks easier. Lifting the dog onto a raised surface at an ergonomic height saves your back and keeps the dog more securely in place. Many poodles learn to stay nicely still on the grooming table, whereas on the floor or sofa, it can be more challenging. If a separate table is not available, use a bathroom counter or table with a secure mat.

• High-quality dog shampoo: As mentioned, a shampoo designed for dogs is essential. Nocat Studio series shampoo is a good example of a product designed for the needs of a dog's coat: it is made from natural ingredients, pH-balanced, and contains conditioning agents that leave the coat soft and shiny. A high-quality shampoo lathers appropriately and rinses well, leaving the coat clean without heavy residue. Additionally, Nocat Studio's products have a pleasant, "cuddle-friendly" scent that is not too strong for the dog but gives the coat a fresh nuance.

• Coat Care Spray (Detangling Spray): This is the secret weapon of many poodle owners. A spray-on care and detangling product, like the Nocat Studio refresh+detangle care spray, helps to untangle knots, moisturize the coat, and reduce static. Sprays can be used on damp fur after washing or during the brushing of dry fur. They make the brush movement smoother and prevent the hair from breaking. Additionally, the coat is left with a light, pleasant scent, making the dog feel especially clean after the grooming session.

• Blow dryer or pet dryer: A good blow dryer is invaluable for drying a poodle. There are special, efficient pet dryers available for drying a dog's coat, but a human hair dryer will also suffice as long as it has enough power and heat. If you blow dry often, consider a dryer designed for pet use – they are usually more powerful (blow a lot of air) and may not have additional heat, reducing the risk of overheating. Whatever device you use, remember to patiently accustom the dog to its use, and ensure that the airflow is not too hot or strong directly on the most sensitive areas.

• Scissors and grooming machine: Small fur scissors with rounded tips are handy for small touch-ups (for example, trimming hair around the eyes or the bottoms of the paws). If you are brave and willing to learn, you can also maintain a short basic trim at home with a grooming machine. In this case, it is advisable to acquire a high-quality grooming machine specifically designed for dogs, to ensure an even cut and that the machine can handle thick fur. Remember to maintain the blades and keep them clean. However, many people rely on a professional for grooming matters – and that is completely okay, as basic coat care routines (brushing, washing, drying) are sufficient to keep the dog neat and healthy in everyday life between trims.

In summary: do not underestimate the importance of good tools. When the brush glides smoothly, the shampoo lathers well, and the hairdryer dries efficiently, you save time and nerves. Your dog also senses when you are confident and the tools work – then it remains calmer itself. Thanks to quality products, grooming becomes a pleasant experience that can, at best, strengthen the trust between you and your dog.

In addition to brushing and washing, a poodle's coat must also be trimmed from time to time. Since the hair grows continuously, without grooming, a poodle will eventually become just a big curly mass, which is difficult to keep clean and untangled. The grooming interval depends greatly on the desired coat length and style. As a general guideline, it can be considered that approximately every 6–8 weeks the poodle should be thoroughly groomed. Some prefer to keep the coat in a suitable "puppy coat" or short sporty cut for pets, in which case grooming every 4–6 weeks keeps the appearance neat. Even for a longer show coat, regular tidying is done, even if the entire coat is not cut short.

Grooming can be done in many ways. Many poodle owners take their dogs to a professional groomer, which is a good solution if they do not want or dare to start cutting themselves. A professional can perform the cut according to your wishes and handle the dog skillfully. In grooming, the dog's muzzle, paws, and base of the tail are usually clipped with a machine short (for so-called hygiene reasons and to maintain the breed's typical appearance), and the rest of the coat is cut with scissors or a machine to the desired length. For example, the popular "lamb coat" or "kennel trim" leaves a short, one to two centimeter long curl all over, which is easy to maintain in everyday life. At the other extreme, the "lion cut" or show trim leaves the front part of the coat long and fluffy like a mane, while the back part is clipped short – this requires much more daily care to keep the long part tangle-free.

If you decide to learn how to groom your poodle yourself, start with a simple style. Many home groomers use the mentioned short basic trim, which is done with a machine using a few blades leaving different lengths and finished with scissors. It is advisable to attend a grooming course, for example, or ask an experienced groomer to guide you the first time. Remember to keep the scissors sharp and your movements calm, so you don't cut the dog. The dog should be washed and blow-dried straight before grooming – dirty or curly fur dulls the scissors and machine blades, and the cut will not be even.

Grooming is part of poodle coat care, but it doesn't have to be a source of stress. Try different methods: perhaps you learn to cut your dog's hair at home, or you find a trusted groomer whom you visit regularly. When grooming is done on time, maintaining the coat at home becomes easier, and the dog remains more comfortable. A shorter coat means less brushing, but remember that a poodle shaved very short can feel cold in chilly weather (as the breed does not have an undercoat). Similarly, in summer, a small coat length protects the skin from the sun's heat – a dog's skin can even get sunburned if shaved completely bare. So always leave some hair to protect the dog from the weather, regardless of the season. In everyday life, most poodles are kept in a medium-length trim, where the coat is both beautiful and practical.

Grooming is easiest when the dog has been accustomed to it from a young age. If you have a puppy or a young poodle, start practicing grooming routines as soon as possible. Small moments on the grooming table, checking nails, and peeking into ears teach the puppy that handling is a part of life. Let the puppy get acquainted with the brush and comb positively: for example, you can stroke the puppy with the brush a few times and immediately reward with a treat, so the association is joyful.

It's advisable to wash the puppy about once a month just for the sake of getting used to it (even if it isn't very dirty). The first washing and blow-drying sessions can be stressful for the dog, so keep them short and calm. Speak gently and stay relaxed yourself – the dog senses your mood. It often helps if the puppy is a bit tired during the washing session, so it doesn't have the energy to struggle unnecessarily. Remember to reward the puppy generously after washing and drying.

You can practice brushing with the puppy daily for a few minutes. Lift the puppy onto a towel on top of the washing machine or a low table. Hold gently by the collar or with support, and brush a few strokes here and there. Stop before the puppy gets bored and praise lavishly. This way, the puppy learns that brushing is a short and fun procedure, and not a reason to panic.

If you adopt an adult poodle with no prior experience in regular grooming, all is not lost. Just proceed slowly and patiently. You can accustom the dog to brushing by gently stroking it with a brush for short periods and rewarding it, just like with a puppy. Keep grooming sessions short and gradually increase the duration as the dog's tolerance grows. The goal is to establish a routine where the dog is relaxed and confident. Surprisingly soon, many dogs that initially resisted will learn to enjoy brushing – it's like a massage and receiving attention from the owner for them.

So remember to start the grooming routine early and patiently. Once the basics have been taught to the young dog, you will avoid many troubles in the future. An adult poodle that stands nicely in place while being brushed and washed is invaluable – and this is achieved only by practicing and making grooming sessions pleasant experiences.

Poodle grooming at its best is a pleasant shared routine that enhances the dog's well-being and strengthens your relationship. Once you have learned the tips described above and made brushing, washing, and trimming a regular part of your routine, you will notice how much easier everything becomes. Grooming no longer feels like a laborious project, but a natural part of the day – perhaps even a relaxing moment where you focus solely on you and your dog.

Take advantage of high-quality and non-toxic products like Nocat Studio's dog shampoo and coat care spray, which make grooming sessions easier and more pleasant. It's a joy to spend time with a clean, soft, and pleasantly scented poodle. It's also rewarding to see how well your dog's coat is doing: it shines, feels healthy between your fingers, and you don't find any tangles.

Finally, be proud of every successful grooming session. Reward yourself and your dog with a shared playtime or cuddle session after the task. You have done important work for your pet. With these tips, grooming a poodle's coat remains manageable from start to finish – and both of you can enjoy life without tangling issues. Wishing you successful grooming sessions and many joyful, clean, and fluffy poodle moments!