Our Apartment Grooming Routine: Keeping a Doodle Tidy Between Appointments

October 1, 2025 • 5 min read

I found a mat behind Alfie's ear last week that had turned into a felt pad overnight. This is what happens when you skip even two days of brushing a doodle coat, especially in humid weather.

If you own a doodle, you know their coats can go from fluffy teddy bear to tangled mop overnight. Grooming isn't optional—it's the difference between a happy, comfortable pup and a matting nightmare. Living in a one-bedroom apartment, I've had to figure out a system that keeps my mini Bernedoodle, Alfie, tidy between grooming appointments without eating up my whole day.

I use a full-service groomer in San Diego that runs $200 per visit (includes bath, haircut, nail grinding, teeth cleaning, and ear cleaning). Right now at 9 months old, Alfie's in the puppy coat phase—if I didn't brush him regularly, he'd need grooming every 3-4 weeks instead of 4-5 weeks. That's an extra $1,200-1,600 per year just from skipping brushing.

Once his adult coat fully comes in around 18-24 months, consistent brushing should let me stretch appointments to 6-8 weeks. Even at typical grooming prices ($80-120), daily brushing is the difference between affordable maintenance and constant expensive visits.

Here's the simple 20-minute routine (and daily habits) that work for us.

Step 1: Daily or Every-Other-Day Brushing (10-20 minutes)

Tools I use:

• Budget option: We Love Doodles slicker brush - Great starter brush that gets the job done
• Premium option: Chris Christensen slicker brush - Worth the investment if you're serious about coat maintenance
• Metal comb to check for mats all the way down to the skin

Routine: I run the slicker brush through his whole coat, then follow up with the comb. If I find a snag, I run the slicker brush again until it's out.

Reality check: On calm days, it's 10 minutes. On squirmy days, closer to 20.

Apartment hack: I put Alfie on our coffee table. He behaves way better up there—maybe because it feels like the groomer's table, or maybe because he just can't run away.

Step 2: Daily Paw Wipes (1-2 minutes)

City living means dirty sidewalks. I wipe Alfie's paws at least once a day, more if it's raining or muddy. I use Earth Rated grooming wipes—they work well and don't irritate his skin.

This keeps his fur clean, reduces allergens in the apartment, and prevents paw licking.

Step 3: Weekly Spot Clean (5 minutes)

Once a week, I do a light wipe-down with grooming wipes. I focus on:

• Face
• Belly
• Paws (again)
• Any spots where he picked up dirt

This keeps him looking (and smelling) fresh between baths.

Step 4: Bath Time Every 2-3 Weeks

• Cadence: A full bath every 2-3 weeks, or 4-5 weeks if he's headed straight to the groomer and his coat is holding up.
• Products: Always use a shampoo + conditioner or a 2-in-1. Never just shampoo—doodle coats need the extra conditioning to prevent dryness and tangles.
• Setup: In an apartment, the shower is your best friend. I keep towels nearby and a mat to prevent slipping.

Pro tip: The cleaner you keep the coat with daily brushing, the less often you need full baths. Alfie can surprise me with how clean he stays.

Step 5: Stay Consistent to Prevent Mats

The truth is, consistency matters more than any fancy product. Daily brushing prevents painful mats and saves hours at the groomer. Even 10 minutes every other day makes a huge difference in coat health and comfort.

Apartment Grooming Wins (and Challenges)

• Biggest win: Using the coffee table as a grooming station.
• Challenge: Alfie gets squirmy—but having him at table height gives me better control.
• Cleanup: Minimal hair since he's a doodle, and my robot vacuum handles the rest.

The Bottom Line

Keeping up with regular brushing and bathing doesn't just make Alfie look good—it extends the time between grooming appointments (which saves money) and keeps him more comfortable. Grooming is as much about health as it is about appearance.

If you skip days, you'll pay for it with mats, longer grooming sessions, or higher groomer bills when they have to spend extra time dematting.

Want to keep your apartment pup healthy between groomings? Consistent coat care helps, but so does having the right insurance when accidents happen. Compare insurance options.