Training a puppy for Cavoodle Grooming should start when they are in the care of their breeder. From about 2 weeks of age, a breeder will start trimming a puppy’s nails and hygiene trims of the coat commence from around 3 weeks of age. Ensuring that these early Cavoodle Grooming sessions are positive experiences for your puppy is crucial to them developing a good relationship with the process.

Proper grooming of your Cavoodle is not only necessary for your enjoyment; it also reduces the smell and discomfort caused by long nails, parasites, foul breath, full anal glands and a matted coat.

Thankfully, Cavoodle Grooming is fairly easy- all you need to do is be equipped with the right information and tools and you’re good to go!

Follow our Cavoodle Grooming Guide below to keep your Cavoodle well-groomed, and super cute and also strengthen the bond with your pet.

Cavoodle Grooming Important Tips – Before You Begin Grooming Your Cavoodle

1. Know Your dog’s Coat Type

Cavoodles can have a variety of coats depending on their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle parent. They may have short hair, fleece or wool coats. Often, F1-generation Cavoodle puppies sport fleece coats and F1b Cavoodles grow to have either a wool or a fleece coat. And around 25% of F2 Cavoodles have short straight hair like the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Puppy coats can look straight at 8 weeks of age but they may start curling up as the puppy grows.

If your Cavoodle has a fleece or wool coat, they will require a deep and thorough brush and comb through the coat (brushing and combing action must penetrate down to the skin). Failure to ensure that you brush your Cavoodle such that the comb and brush separate the hairs down to the skin, can result in matting and knots.

Short-haired Cavoodles (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel-like coat) require a simple brush and comb through their coat once a week, to minimise the amount of shedding and knots on their ear, tail and leg fringing.

Research the coat type of your Cavoodle and buy the right brushes and combs recommended for that coat type.

2. Invest in Some Basic Supplies

In addition to the Cavoodle Grooming kit tools (which we have enlisted below), it may be worthwhile to buy a grooming table and a raised bathtub.

This will reduce the stress on your back while grooming your fur baby. You can also make a makeshift or DIY grooming table using an existing worktable. Some dog grooming facilities also allow you to rent their equipment where you can DIY groom your Cavoodle.

3. Choose Professional Grooming When Needed

If you are too busy or don’t have the space or resources to buy a grooming table or raised tub, consider professional dog grooming. The longer you leave it between grooms and the more matted your dog becomes, the higher the cost of a groom will be.

Remember: your Cavoodle needs regular grooming to stay healthy, clean, and happy.

Step By Step Cavoodle Grooming

Step 1 – Gather your Supplies – Cavoodle Grooming Kit

Make sure you have everything needed for grooming your Cavoodle:

• Best Quality Cavoodle shampoo and conditioner – no harsh chemicals.
• Best Cavoodle brush and comb – slicker or pin brush with stiff wire bristles or pins, undercoat rake, stainless steel detangling comb and curry glove. The comb is important for preventing mats and knots, it should have wide teeth to gently remove the tangles and mats.
• Non-skid mats to prevent your Cavoodle from slipping in the tub.
• Best Quality Dog Clippers – cordless clippers are convenient. You should expect to spend around $250-$500 for quality dog clippers for your grooming kit.
• Best hair dryer and a towel to dry your pet – invest in a quality hair dryer for your grooming kit to save time and make bathing your Cavoodle a breeze.
• Pet toothbrush and toothpaste – or feed your Cavoodle raw meaty bones to keep their teeth clean.
• Dog nail clippers and styptic powder
• Pet wipes – handy to clean up any small, dirty areas quickly.
• Dog ear cleaner – Epi Otic cleans and prevents infection.
• Apple cider vinegar (optional)

Step 2 – Brush and Comb Your Cavoodle

Cavoodles could have tight, water-resistant, and low-shedding coats inherited from their Poodle parent. Conversely, some Cavoodles tend to have long silky coats like the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

In both cases, you may want to brush your dog two to three times a week. Brushing is also necessary before bathing your pet. This will help you capture all the shed hair and prevent your bathroom/tub drains from getting clogged with fur.

Dogs with fleece or wool long hair tend to face the problem of matting. Regular brushing and combing can help prevent such mats and tangles.

If your Cavoodle has a short, tight, curly coat, then use a slicker or pin brush. This will help you reach the dog’s skin and loosen all the mats on the lower layers. For Cavoodles with a silky, long coat, use a pin brush with wide-spaced teeth. Some brushes have tiny balls on the bristle’s ends but this is not absolutely necessary.

• Place your Cavoodle on the grooming table/raised platform.
• Start by brushing from your dog’s neck all the way to the tail.
• Next, move down to the dog’s belly and brush gently.
• Comb or brush the chest area.
• Run the comb or brush down your pet’s legs.
• Run the comb once again to make the hair lay flat down the dog’s body.
• You will want to run the brush through the coat first, then thoroughly go through with a comb to work through, and ensure there are no, mats or knots.
• Praise/reward your Cavoodle.

Step 3 – Carry Out Clipping/Trimming/Nail Care/Oral Care

• Most Cavoodles need hair trimming every 6-8 weeks. If needed, get a professional groomer to carry out this task. Many Cavoodle owners get teddy bear cuts or puppy cuts for their Cavoodles.
• If you opt to keep your Cavoodle’s coat long, then make sure it is free of knots through twice weekly brushing and combing.
• Trim your Cavoodle’s nails using a nail grinder/nail clippers. Make sure to keep styptic powder on hand in case you accidentally hurt the quick of the nails.
• Clean your dog’s ears with a pet ear cleaner. You can add the solution inside your dog’s ears and wait for a few minutes before wiping the outer ear gently with a pet wipe.
• Brush your dog’s teeth with vet-approved toothpaste. This should be done daily, particularly if you’re not feeding your Cavoodle raw meaty bones.
• Express your dog’s anal glands. If this step is difficult for you, get it done by your vet or a professional groomer.

Step 4 – Bathe Your Cavoodle

• Place your dog in the bathtub.
• Wet its coat thoroughly. This may take some time if your Cavoodle has a water-resistant coat.
• Take a dollop of Cavoodle dog shampoo in the palm of your hand. Add some water to it.
• Thoroughly rub the shampoo down your dog’s coat and work up a lather. (Some dog shampoos do not produce lather).
• If needed, take some more shampoo and repeat the above step until your Cavoodle’s entire body is covered.
• Leave the lather on for at least 5 minutes before rinsing your pet thoroughly.
• Repeat the shampooing if needed.
• Apply a dog coat conditioner separately if required (some dog shampoos also contain conditioner). If not, use one separately. Leave the conditioner on a wet coat for 5 minutes before washing it off.
• You may add a capful of diluted apple cider vinegar during the last rinsing. This will enhance your dog’s coat health.

Step 5 – Dry Your Cavoodle

Use a towel or hair dryer to dry your Cavoodle. If using the dryer, use the lowest setting, to begin with. Keep moving the dryer so that the heat is not concentrated in one area. The best dog hair dryers, don’t heat up too much, unlike dryers designed to dry human hair.

Brush and comb your pet’s coat again after it is dry to remove knots.

Step 6 – Trim your Cavoodle

Depending on the Cavoodle hairstyle you’re wanting to achieve. For a short hair cut, use the clippers to trim your dog’s face, body, legs and feet. Regardless of the grooming style, it is essential to prevent the hair from going into the eyes and causing infections. If your pet has tear stains, then use special wipes and eye drops that can reduce them. Also, trim the hair having tear stains.

For a teddy bear-style Cavoodle cut you will need curved grooming shears to shape the face, including the skull and muzzle. Similarly, while you can clip the body with a number 5 blade, you will need straight shears to shape the legs and feet.

FAQs – Cavoodle Grooming

Cavoodle Grooming – Conclusion

We hope this brief guide helps you carry out your Cavoodle’s grooming with ease and confidence. If you’re not ready to attempt to groom your Cavoodle at home, find the best Cavoodle groomer near you, ask about their styles and read reviews to ensure they are experienced and ethical in their practice.

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