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Between the cuts
Doodle grooming between cuts.
This page is about coat maintenance between full grooms, not haircuts. We do not do scissor work, so what follows is what actually keeps a doodle coat manageable in the weeks a groomer is not touching it.
The coat itself
Why doodle coats mat faster than most.
A doodle's mixed-breed coat texture combines a curlier, wool-like surface with an undercoat that keeps growing rather than shedding out on its own. That combination is exactly what turns a small tangle into a set mat within days if it is not caught early, which is why doodles need more frequent brushing than a single-breed shedding dog of the same size.
Australian Labradoodles specifically run wool or fleece coats that need brushing 2 to 3 times a week and a professional trim roughly every 5 to 6 weeks for wool, longer for fleece, since their multi-breed lineage skews toward the curlier end of the doodle spectrum. See our labradoodle breed guide for the full coat breakdown.
The biggest lever
The brushing routine between grooms.
- 1Daily to every few days, not weekly.
A doodle's mixed coat texture grows continuously and tangles faster than a single-breed coat. Waiting a full week between brushings on a growing coat is how a manageable tangle becomes a mat.
- 2Slicker brush on top, metal comb underneath.
The slicker gets the surface. The comb is what actually finds the mats hiding against the skin, which a slicker alone glides right over. Use both, every session, not just when the coat looks rough.
- 3Check the friction zones first.
Behind the ears, under the collar, the armpits, and behind the back legs mat first and fastest on almost every doodle. Start there, then move to the rest of the coat.
Bath interval
Roughly every 3 to 4 weeks.
That cadence sits on the more-frequent end for a coated breed, which fits the doodle coat's faster mat rate. For a schedule built around your specific dog's coat rather than a rule of thumb, the bathing schedule builder turns coat type into real dates.
Why it is worth doing
Washing between grooms extends the good stretch.
A full wash with a real de-shed and brush-out between haircut appointments does two things: it keeps mats from setting in before your next groomer visit, and it makes that visit faster and less painful for the dog, since the groomer is starting from a maintained coat instead of an overgrown one. It is not a substitute for the cut, it is what keeps the coat in shape until then.
Where we fit
We wash and brush out doodle coats between your groomer visits.
$75 to $155 by size, in the van at your driveway. When it is time for a full cut, our mobile grooming vans guide covers who in the Bay Area does that. For the full de-shed details, see the de-shedding service page.
Book a wash between cutsFrequently asked
Doodle grooming questions.
A full haircut roughly every 6 to 8 weeks for most doodle coats. Brushing and washing in between keeps the coat from matting before that appointment, which is what this page covers.
No. This service is wash, dry, brush-out, de-shed, nails, and ears, no scissor work. For a full doodle haircut, our mobile grooming vans guide covers who does that in the Bay Area.
Yes. Regular brushing plus a proper de-shed wash between cuts is the single biggest lever an owner has over a doodle coat's condition, and it makes the next haircut appointment faster and less painful for the dog.
A slicker brush for the surface coat, used together with a metal comb that checks for mats underneath. The slicker alone misses what is happening against the skin, which is where mats actually start.
Keep the coat between cuts.
Wash, de-shed, and brush-out, $75 to $155 by size. No haircuts, no scissor work, just what keeps the coat manageable until the next groom.
or text us at (408) 599-8317
Owner-operated · Local service
Hi, I’m Ace.
I run Bay Area Mobile Dog Wash myself — I’m the one who shows up at your door. Every visit is one dog at a time in the van at your curb: warm water, a full brush-out and a proper dry, with no salon drive and no cage waiting. Big dogs, heavy shedders and nervous seniors are the reason this service exists.
Owner-OperatedLarge-Dog FriendlyDe-SheddingSenior & Anxious Dogs
Book with AceWhat our customers say
Trusted by Bay Area dog parents
★★★★★
SUCH a great - and easy! - experience! Asa was immediately responsive (I love when businesses actually answer their phone!), worked Moose in within 24 hours, was communicative throughout, bought unscented products specifically for us, did a great job with my 12 year old doodle … all in all: amazing service!
★★★★★
Ace at Bay Area Mobile Dog Wash was absolutely wonderful with my senior dog. He was so gentle and patient with him, which meant everything to me given his age — I could tell he genuinely cared about his comfort throughout the whole process. Beyond the excellent care, Ace was warm, loving, and clearly an animal lover at heart, while also being completely professional from start to finish. It's rare to find someone who balances that kind of tenderness with real expertise, and my dog came out looking and smelling great without a hint of stress. Highly recommend Ace and Bay Area Mobile Dog Wash.
★★★★☆
Ace was great with my 3 small dogs. They got washed and towel dried, their ears checked, their nails trimmed. One star off because he trimmed one nail too far and it bled for a long time, plus distressed my already anxious dog. Important to know that this service isn't van-based (yet). Ace brings a portable wash station to set up outside. He brings his own water and supplies. He doesn't do any hair cuts, just basic wash and towel dry. I'll call him again in the future!
★★★★★
Ace did a great job with our little old chihuahua mix. Our appointment was for the evening and he came prepared with warm water, and made our sure our dog was comfortable the entire time. Don't let the lack of reviews on yelp scare you away, his prices are good, and he takes time to ensure that good work is done.
★★★★★
He did such an amazing job with my dog! He came out looking so nice, clean, and well-groomed, but what stood out to me most was how happy and comfortable he seemed afterward. You can really tell he was treated with care throughout the entire process. I'm extremely pleased with how everything turned out and would definitely recommend him!
★★★★★
Ace at Bay Area Mobile Dog Wash was absolutely wonderful with my senior dog. He was so gentle and patient with him, which meant everything to me given his age -- I could tell he genuinely cared about his comfort throughout the whole process. Beyond the excellent care, Ace was warm, loving, and clearly an animal lover at heart, while also being completely professional from start to finish. It's rare to find someone who balances that kind of tenderness with real expertise, and my dog came out looking and smelling great without a hint of stress. Highly recommend Ace and Bay Area Mobile Dog Wash. Price is great!
★★★★★
We booked Bay Area Mobile Dog Wash for our 90-lb German Shepherd, Koda, who hates the groomer. Ace parked the van right in our driveway in Willow Glen, walked her up the ramp himself — no lifting, no cage, no other dogs — and I watched the whole wash from my doorstep. Bath, nails, ears, and she came back inside dry and calm. Flat $95 exactly as the website said, no surprise charges. We've already booked next month. 😊❤️
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