How to Brush a Poodle

Set your dog on a table or elevated surface.

It’s much easier to brush your dog if they’re on your level. Grab your dog and place them on a table or a couch so you can reach them easier. If that makes your dog nervous, have them stand on the floor while you crouch or sit down so you’re on their level. If you’re brushing a toy poodle, you could even set them on your lap for easy access.

Spray a conditioner over their entire coat.

Conditioner helps break up mats and tangles before you brush. Since poodle hair is so curly, you may run into some problem areas within your dog’s coat. Before you start brushing, grab a spray conditioner made specifically for dogs and spray it all over your pup. Not only do conditioners help break up tangles, but most of them make your dog smell good, too. If your dog has sensitive skin or allergies, talk to your vet before using a conditioner spray.

Brush your dog’s hair with a pin brush.

Pin brushes have small, straight bristles to work through mats. When you’re brushing a curly-haired dog, it’s super important to use the right tools. Pick up a pin brush from your local pet store to quickly brush your dog’s hair with the least resistance possible. If you take your dog to a groomer, you may have seen them using a slicker brush. Slicker brushes are similar to pin brushes, but they can hurt or scratch your dog’s skin if used incorrectly. Unless you’re a professional, it’s better to stick with a pin brush.

Hold the hair up with one hand as you brush.

Use your hand to pull the hair and skin taut as you go. You can start brushing your dog anywhere: the head, back, or legs is usually a good place to start. Hold your brush in one hand and gently press their fur up with the other, creating a line in the fur. Use the brush in small strokes to brush downward, making sure to brush through all layers of the fur (and not just the topcoat). Brushing in sections is a good way to keep track of what you’ve brushed already and what you still need to get to.

Follow up with a metal comb.

A metal comb will pick out any knots or tangles. Once you’ve brushed a section of hair, put down your pin brush and grab a metal comb. Gently run it through the section you just brushed. If the fur is fully brushed out, your comb will slide through no problem. However, if your comb gets caught on a knot or tangle, go back in with your pin brush to gently loosen the knot. Be gentle and very careful when using a metal comb. If it gets caught on a knot, you could hurt your dog by pulling too hard.

Check for mats in the ears, armpits, and toes.

Problem areas like these often get tangled or matted. There are a few spots on your dog that are more prone to matting, and may need extra attention. As you work your way around your dog’s body, be sure to check out these problem areas, and use your brush to work through mats carefully. If your poodle wears clothing or a harness a lot, check carefully for mats in the spots that the material touches their fur. The constant friction can create a lot of matting.

Go slowly on their ears, belly, and feet.

These sensitive areas can get hurt easily. Dogs have sensitive skin, and their fur isn’t as thick in these areas as other places on their body. As you work your way around your dog, brush them carefully when you get to these sensitive areas. If your dog jerks back or snaps at you, give them a break from brushing for a couple of minutes. Try not to brush inside of your dog’s ears. A dog’s ears are sensitive, and they don’t have much hair inside of them to brush anyway. If your dog’s ears are dirty, you can clean them with a mixture of white vinegar and rubbing alcohol.

Brush your dog’s entire body.

It’s important to brush your poodle’s entire body to prevent matting. It can be tempting to stop once you’ve gotten their back and head brushed out, but don’t forget about the feet, legs, and tail, too! Your dog’s fur should look fluffy and straight rather than curly when you’re done. To work systematically, try starting from the back of your dog (their tail or hind legs) and working your way forward (across their body, front legs, and head).

Brush them again with a bristle brush.

Bristle brushes create that fluffy teddy bear look that only poodles pull off. Using a bristle brush on your poodle is optional, but it’s a great way to fluff their hair out even more. Grab your bristle brush, which has slightly softer bristles, and go over your dog’s fur one more time, focusing especially on their body and their head. If you come across any mats while bristle brushing, go back in with your pin brush to work them out slowly.

Visit a groomer for extremely matted fur.

If your dog is matted to the skin, let a professional take over. Trying to tackle tough mats yourself can be difficult, and you may even accidentally hurt your dog in the process. If your brush can’t get through a large mat or if your dog is matted completely, take them to a groomer. If you’re finding that you can’t keep up with a regular brushing schedule, consider setting up a standing appointment at the groomer for your dog on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. If your dog’s fur is severely matted, your groomer may recommend going to the vet for a cut instead.

Give your dog plenty of treats when you’re done.

A treat tells your dog they did a good job sitting still. Brushing isn’t every dog’s favorite activity, and your dog might need some positive reinforcement to look forward to it next time. When you’re done brushing, give them lots of praise and offer them a high-value treat as a reward. High-value treats are treats that your dog doesn’t get very often. Boiled chicken is a popular one, because it’s easy to digest (but still super tasty).

Brush your poodle every day.

Dogs with curly hair need daily (or almost daily) brushing. You might notice that your dog’s fur naturally clumps up and forms small mats. This is because curly fur clumps together to trap dead fur that’s being shed. Try to brush your poodle every day to reduce matting and keep them looking great. If your poodle has short fur, you can brush them every other day. While you should brush your poodle every day, you can save bathing them for about once a month. Bathing your dog too often strips their fur of natural oils, which can lead to dry skin and other issues.