The festive season is magical… and mayhem.
You’re juggling family visits, last-minute shopping, school events, late-night wrapping – and somewhere in the middle of it all is your curly little shadow, collecting crumbs, pine needles, and tinsel in their coat like a fluffy hoover on legs.
It’s no surprise grooming quietly slips down the to-do list. The problem?
For Doodles, a few “missed days” can quickly turn into tangles, mats, and a stressful, expensive groomer visit – often ending in a much shorter trim than you’d hoped for.
The good news: keeping your Doodle soft, fluffy, and mat-free is possible, even in the middle of Christmas chaos – as long as you make grooming quick, gentle, and easy to fit into your day.
Here are five simple ways to do exactly that. 🎄🐾
1. Swap “big groom days” for tiny daily rituals
Instead of waiting for a spare hour (which, let’s be honest, never appears in December), aim for 5–10 minute brushing sessions, a few times a week.
Short, frequent sessions:
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Stop tangles before they turn into painful mats
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Feel less overwhelming for you
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Are much easier for brush-sensitive Doodles to tolerate
Make it effortless:
Reach for The Doodle Brush Flexible Head Slicker. The flexible head and polished pins glide through those curls and waves without the painful snagging that makes Doodles wriggle, flinch, or bolt. Even if you’re tired, it still feels manageable – like festive snuggle time with a side of coat care.
Think of it as:
Cup of tea. Cosy jumper. Five minutes of brushing. Done.
2. Put grooming in your calendar (just like everything else)
In December, if it isn’t scheduled, it doesn’t happen.
Treat grooming like any other important appointment:
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Pick a time your Doodle is naturally calm – usually after a walk, play session, or evening snooze
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Set a recurring reminder on your phone (e.g. “Doodle brush & cuddle – 7pm”)
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Keep your brush in a visible place so it doesn’t become “out of sight, out of mind”
Make it something they look forward to:
Pair brushing with:
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A special high-value treat
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A favourite chew
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Calm praise and gentle strokes
Over time, your Doodle starts to associate “brush time” with good things – not stress or discomfort. That’s the secret to building grooming trust, especially during the busy festive rush.
3. Target the “mat hotspots” first
When time is tight, you don’t need to brush every single curl perfectly. You just need to be strategic.
Doodles tend to mat faster:
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Behind the ears
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Under the armpits and legs
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Around the collar or harness area
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The chest, tail, and bum area
Your festive fast-track routine:
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Spend a few minutes on these hotspots first
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Then, if you’ve got time, do a quick once-over on the rest of the coat
Best tool for speedy coverage:
The Double Head Flexible Slicker lets you cover larger areas quickly while still being gentle on sensitive skin. It reaches right down into the undercoat – where tangles love to hide – without the pulling and scratching of a regular slicker.
Even a 5-minute hotspot brush can save your Doodle from painful mats and emergency New Year shave downs.
4. Turn grooming into festive family time
If grooming feels like a chore, it’ll be the first thing to go when life gets busy. So let’s flip that.
Make it part of the festive fun:
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Brush while watching a Christmas film with the family
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Pop on your favourite festive playlist and do a quick brush-and-boogie
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Let the kids help with gentle strokes (while you handle the trickier areas)
You’re not just ticking off a task – you’re:
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Keeping your Doodle calm and relaxed
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Strengthening your bond
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Teaching them that grooming = quiet, cosy, quality time with their humans
With the right brush, many Doodles start to genuinely enjoy the sensation – more like a gentle massage than a battle.
5. Create a “grab-and-go” grooming kit
The biggest time-stealer?
Running around the house trying to remember where you left the brush, the comb, the towel…
Set yourself up for success with a quick-access grooming kit you can grab in seconds.
Pop it in a basket or pouch and include:
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A Flexible Slicker Brush (Single or Double Head – depending on your Doodle and routine)
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A Finishing Comb to check for any sneaky tangles the brush missed
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A small towel for muddy paws or quick clean-ups
Make it even easier:
The Doodle Brush bundles bring all the essentials together in one place – designed specifically for Doodles’ thick, curly coats. No more guessing which tools you need or buying random brushes that don’t work. Just a ready-to-go system you can reach for whenever you’ve got five spare minutes between parties, visitors, and wrapping paper explosions.
Final Thoughts: Let your Doodle shine this festive season ✨
Grooming doesn’t have to be another stressful task squeezed into your already bursting calendar. With:
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Short, regular brushing sessions
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A set time in your week
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Focus on mat hotspots
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Festive, calm family grooming moments
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A simple grab-and-go grooming kit
…you can keep your Doodle soft, fluffy, and mat-free all season long – without tears, tangles, or last-minute panic at the groomer.
Turn grooming into a calm little ritual you both enjoy, and let your Doodle look and feel their best at every family gathering, photo, and cosy Christmas cuddle.
Make festive grooming simple with The Doodle Brush.
Explore our Doodle Brush Collection and find the perfect tools for your Labradoodle, Goldendoodle, Cockapoo, Cavapoo, Bernedoodle and more.
Want more expert grooming tips for your Doodle?
- Follow our Doodle Brush Facebook Page for grooming tutorials and updates.
- Join The Tangle-Free Doodle Club, our private Facebook Group for Doodle parents — share stories, get expert tips, and take part in monthly giveaways.
