Dirty hair is more prone to matting. Bathing your Poodle every three to four weeks is well recommended. But puppies may need weekly bathing to keep them clean and free of mats until their coat change is complete. Never bathe a matted coat. The mats will tighten, making them impossible to remove. Smaller Poodles can be bathed in a kitchen or laundry sink. Standards will need to go into a regular-sized tub.

Place a nonskid mat in the bottom. If necessary, secure him with a noose before you start, as dogs can be injured jumping out of the bath. Thoroughly wet his coat and gently lather the shampoo. Be careful not to get it into his eyes or scrub it into his coat, which can cause mats. Rinse thoroughly from head to tail.

Soap residue in his oat can cause skin irritation and matting. If you apply a conditioner, pay special attention to areas prone to matting, such as the neck, sides, and under the front legs. Leave the conditioner on for several minutes before rinsing.

Drying your Poodle

Towel dry the coat gently to sop up moisture, but do not rub. If the weather is warm and his coat is short, you can allow him to air dry. However, this will leave his coat much curlier and more prone to matting. For a straighter, fluffier finish, brush and stretch each section of the coat as it dries. This requires two hands. If you don’t have a stand dryer, a handheld dryer can be clamped to the table or grooming arm. Set it on medium, and check frequently to make sure it never becomes too hot.

Pull each section of hair straight with your brush as you dry it. The rest of the coat should remain covered by a towel to keep it flat. Gradually uncover each section as you work on it. If part of the coat dries before you get to it, mist it with your sprayer. Double check the ears, under the front legs, and other hard-to-reach spots for dampness. This is especially import ant if your Poodle has a soft, cottony coat. Damp hair will curl and clump, inviting mats.