When it comes to bathing your Aussiedoodle, is it something you need to do often, or infrequently?
It’s important to get it right as it can be the difference between a soft, shiny and odor-free coat, or a dull, greasy, and smelly one!
After a decade of guiding pup parents on the do’s and don’ts of bathing Aussies, Poodles and their mixes, we’ve got a good grasp of what it takes for the Aussiedoodle, too!
Let’s get started.
How often should you bathe Aussiedoodles? 🚿
Bathing Aussiedoodles only needs to be done every so often: Owners bathe them around once every three to four months. This is enough to keep them clean, without causing their skin and coat problems.
Aussiedoodles typically have a single-layered coat (sometimes a double coat) of curly/wavy hair that does a great job at remaining clean.
And as you likely know, Aussiedoodles are naturally very hygienic and are also hypoallergenic. Frequent bathing just isn’t necessary and will do more harm than good.
Why you shouldn’t bathe an Aussiedoodle too much 🛁
This is crucial so don’t skip this little section! Sometimes, it’ll actually help keep your Aussiedoodle cleaner if you skip a bath than give it…
Additionally, with the kind of coat Aussiedoodles have, they simply don’t need frequent bathing. Their curly/wavy hair is usually fairly fine and in most cases, single-layered. This kind of coat remains clean and doesn’t require a lot of bathing. Brushing, yes! Bathing, no.
Why overbathing is so bad
Too many baths with the wrong kinds of shampoo will strip away important natural oils found in the skin and coat. And it’s these oils that are responsible for keeping the coat in perfect condition.
When these oils are suddenly removed, your Aussiedoodles’s body goes into panic mode. At first, the skin and coat will become super dry for a short period, before the body realizes and then produces A LOT of oil in an emergency response. Sounds bizarre, but it’s actually what happens!
Once this happens the coat becomes overly oily, greasy, smelly, and that mixed with previously dry skin can cause itching and even more problems.
It then becomes a nasty cycle, as you think you need to bathe your “dirty” Aussiedoodle once again. And so it keeps on happening. This is actually what happens with our own hair too, but that’s for a different website to cover!
What if they get dirty quickly?
If your Aussiedoodle is constantly getting dirty due to their walks outside then it’s okay to increase the frequency a little, once every couple of months is also okay providing you use an appropriate shampoo. Explained in the next section.
You can always use grooming wipes to remove a lot of muck and dirt from your Aussiedoodles coat too. They do a great job of giving a “light shower” as I like to call it. They really prolong the time in between each bathtime. I wipe my dogs down once or twice a week just to keep them fresh.
The best shampoo for Aussiedoodles 🧼
You probably noticed we said “the wrong kinds of shampoos” above. Yep, there’s an important difference between good and bad shampoos for your dog.
The best shampoo for your Aussiedoodle is a natural ingredient dog shampoo. Never anything else. I’ve been using this one from Pro Pet Work for years. It’s natural, plant-based, safe, and never dries out my dog’s coat. It smells great too. So I definitely recommend checking that out. That’s an affiliate link, it helps keep the website running!
So what is it you want to avoid?
➡️ Regular pet shampoo with chemicals, alcohols, detergents, parabens, fragrances
➡️ Human shampoo
➡️ Baby shampoo (recently found to be too strong too)
You may be surprised to see regular pet shampoo, but it’s true. If you read the label and see a whole long list of ingredients with chemicals you can’t pronounce or have never seen before, then it goes in the no-list.
All of the harsh chemicals, alcohols, detergents, parabens, and fragrances do not help your Aussiedoodle one bit. Sure, they may “clean” but they don’t do it gently, and the formulas are so strong they strip away the vital natural oils.
Natural ingredient shampoos are mild and don’t do this. So it’s key to use them over regular strong shampoos.
What about Aussiedoodle puppies? 🐶
When it comes to a puppy’s first bath, it needs to be two weeks after their final vaccine, just to be on the safe side. For most pups, this is about 18 weeks old.
Vets recommend this because before this moment, their body is vulnerable to diseases and bacteria, and pretty much shouldn’t get wet. Being wet can make them cold, and even more susceptible to getting sick.
When you do get around to bathing your Aussiedoodle puppy it’s best to simply follow the same advice as above!
Bathe them infrequently, every three to four months, and only ever use a natural ingredient dog shampoo. When you use natural ingredient shampoos, it’s fine to use this on your puppy, as the formula is already mild and naturally safe.
8 Key bathing tips for Aussiedoodles 😊
Let’s run through some basic, but important tips to know for bathing Aussiedoodles. These tips will make sure every wash is safe and effective.
Lukewarm water only
Use room lukewarm water. Not too hot or cold. This will avoid shocking your Aussiedoodle which could give them a bad experience, but also prevent drying out their coat after the bath. Even water that’s overly warm to your touch, can run the risk of drying out their skin and coat.
Cotton balls in the ears
Many problems can happen if a dog’s ears get wet inside. Ear infections are the big issue. You can easily avoid this by placing some large cotton balls in the ears to prevent water splashes from going inside. Ensure they are big enough to remove and not get lost in the ears! Owners should consciously avoid going near the ears.
Brush & detangle before bathing
As you know Aussiedoodles are low shedders, but their coat still needs to be detangled often, so brushing remains important. It’s essential to detangle any would-be knots before you get them wet. Getting your Aussiedoodle wet with potential knots can make matters worse while you’re massaging in the shampoo.
Massage the suds to the skin
Take the time to massage the shampoo suds properly down through the coat to the skin, and allow the suds a good 5 minutes to do their magic. Remember, you’re using a mild natural shampoo anyway so this is necessary. Many owners fail to really work up a thick lather, which is when the good cleaning happens!
Give praise and treats!
It’s crucial to give plenty of reassuring praise and a few small treats throughout to keep your Aussiedoodle calm and happy with what’s happening. Not all dogs enjoy bath time, but there’s no reason we can’t change this. Make it an experience they like, and it’ll make bath times much more pleasant for you too.
Rinse more than you think
Rinsing is part of bathing we often rush, as we’re nearly done but not quite. The thing is, if any suds are left it can really irritate the coat and skin, cause scratching, and further problems. Rinsing is equally important as shampooing them! Be sure to rinse your Aussiedoodle multiple times before stopping.
Dry properly with a towel
You never want to leave your Aussiedoodle too wet after bathing. This can lead to hypothermia, even when the weather isn’t that cold outside. The best way to dry her is with a clean towel. Pat her down gently and be sure not to rub around too hard! Dry her as much as possible before letting her do the zoomies.
Detangle again
After catching her from the zoomies, it’s important to give another quick brushing session for the purpose of detangling any knots that might have happened during the shampooing. While most knots will probably come out during the rinse, it’s important to inspect her and give a quick brush through.
Last thoughts
Only bathe your Aussiedoodle once every three to four months. Only use a natural ingredient dog shampoo, and avoid pet shampoos with chemicals, alcohols, detergents, parabens, and fragrances.
By following these main points your Aussiedoodle should remain clean and healthy with a perfect coat for a long time.