Cavoodle Puppy Grooming Timeline: When to Start & What to Expect

When should your Cavoodle puppy get their first professional groom? When does their adult coat come in? How often should you be brushing them at each age?

New to Cavoodle puppies? Check out our complete guide to preparing for a Cavoodle puppy for everything you need before bringing your pup home.

These are the questions we answer daily at our grooming salon – and getting the timing right makes a huge difference. Start too late, and you’ll have a matted puppy who’s terrified of grooming. Start properly, and you’ll have a dog who enjoys the grooming table for life.

Here’s your complete Cavoodle puppy grooming timeline from 8 weeks through adulthood.

Grooming Timeline Overview

Age	Home Grooming	Professional Grooming
8-12 weeks	Daily handling, 2-3 min brushing	Not yet
12-16 weeks	5-10 min brushing, introduce bathing	First puppy groom
4-6 months	Daily brushing essential	Every 6-8 weeks
6-10 months	Daily brushing, coat transition care	Every 4-6 weeks during coat change
10+ months	Regular maintenance brushing	Every 6-8 weeks ongoing

8-12 Weeks: Foundation Phase

Your Cavoodle puppy is home – and grooming training starts now. This phase isn’t about achieving a perfect coat; it’s about building positive associations with being handled.

Goals for This Phase

• Get puppy comfortable being touched all over
• Introduce grooming tools without fear
• Establish that grooming = treats and praise
• Build foundation for lifetime of easy grooming

Daily Handling Exercises (2-5 minutes)

Every day, while your puppy is calm (after a play session or nap), practice:

• Paw handling: Hold each paw, spread toes, touch nails
• Ear touching: Lift ear flaps, look inside, touch around ears
• Mouth handling: Lift lips, touch teeth and gums
• Body handling: Run hands along body, lift tail, touch belly
• Face handling: Touch around eyes, nose, muzzle

Always reward: Treats during and after each session. Stop before puppy gets wriggly or frustrated.

Introducing Grooming Tools

Let puppy investigate tools without using them yet:

• Place brush on floor, let them sniff, reward with treat
• Touch brush gently to their side (don’t actually brush), reward
• Turn on clippers (if you have them) in another room so they hear the sound
• Run comb through their coat a few times, no pressure to detangle

First Brushing Sessions (2-3 minutes)

Puppy coat is easy to brush – use this time to build positive associations.

• Use a soft slicker brush designed for puppies/fleece coats
• Brush back and sides only (avoid face, legs, tummy initially)
• Keep sessions short and sweet – always end on a positive note
• Treat generously throughout
• Gradually increase duration over several weeks

What NOT to Do Yet

• Don’t bath until at least 2 weeks after final vaccination
• Don’t book professional grooming (too young, vaccination incomplete)
• Don’t force through tangles – puppy coat should be soft and mat-free
• Don’t use adult-sized tools that are too heavy

12-16 Weeks: First Professional Groom

This is the most important grooming milestone. Your Cavoodle’s first professional groom sets the tone for every grooming experience to come.

When to Book

Book for 2 weeks after their final puppy vaccination (usually around 14-16 weeks). This gives immunity time to develop while not waiting too long.

Why timing matters:

• Too early (before vaccinations): Risk of disease exposure at a grooming salon
• Too late (after 16 weeks): Miss critical socialisation window; harder to introduce new experiences

What to Expect at First Groom

A good groomer will do a “puppy introduction” groom, which focuses on experience over outcome. This typically includes:

• Table familiarisation: Getting comfortable on the grooming table
• Gentle brush: Light brushing to check coat condition
• Nail trim: First professional nail clip
• Face and paw tidy: Light trim around eyes, feet
• Bath and blow dry: Introduction to the dryer (often on low, warm setting)
• Clipper introduction: May use clippers briefly on a less sensitive area

This is NOT a full haircut. The goal is positive experience, not transformation. A responsible groomer won’t push a frightened puppy through a full groom.

Choosing the Right Groomer

Look for groomers who:

• Offer specific “puppy introduction” or “puppy socialisation” grooms
• Have experience with Cavoodles and doodle coats
• Don’t rush – first groom may take longer due to taking things slowly
• Are willing to discuss what happened during the groom
• Will let you collect a calm, happy puppy (not a traumatised one)

Questions to ask:

• Do you offer puppy introduction grooms?
• How long will the appointment take?
• What’s included?
• What if my puppy gets too stressed?
• Can I see where they’ll be groomed?

Preparing for First Groom

• Continue daily handling at home
• Practice having puppy on an elevated surface (like a table with non-slip mat)
• Ensure puppy is exercised before the appointment (not hyper)
• Bring treats and a favourite toy
• Stay calm – puppies pick up on your anxiety

Home Grooming at This Age

• Brushing: 5-10 minutes daily, covering whole body now
• Steel comb: Start using comb after brushing to check for tangles
• First bath: If needed, use puppy-specific shampoo, warm water, and dry thoroughly
• Eye cleaning: Daily wipe around eyes
• Ear checks: Weekly inspection for redness or smell

4-6 Months: Regular Routine Begins

By now, your Cavoodle should be comfortable with grooming. This is when regular professional grooming starts and home maintenance becomes essential.

Professional Grooming Schedule

Every 6-8 weeks for a full groom. This includes:

• Full body haircut (style of your choice)
• Bath and blow dry
• Nail trim
• Ear cleaning
• Sanitary trim
• Paw pad trim

Home Grooming Requirements

Daily brushing is now essential. As their coat begins to mature, mats can form quickly.

Daily checklist (10-15 minutes):

• Full body brush with slicker brush
• Comb through to check for hidden tangles
• Pay extra attention to: behind ears, under collar, armpits, back of legs, around groin
• Wipe around eyes
• Check ears for debris or smell

Weekly:

• Bath if needed (not every dog needs weekly baths)
• Ear cleaning
• Check between toe pads for debris

Signs You Need to Increase Brushing

• Finding small tangles when you brush
• Coat feeling thicker or different texture
• Brush pulling through rather than gliding
• Small mats forming in friction areas

6-10 Months: The Coat Transition

This is the most challenging grooming period for Cavoodle owners. Your puppy’s soft coat is transitioning to their adult coat – and matting can happen overnight.

What’s Happening

The fluffy puppy coat is being pushed out by the incoming adult coat. Both coats exist simultaneously for several months, creating the perfect conditions for matting.

Timeline varies: Some Cavoodles transition at 5 months, others not until 10 months. It depends on genetics and coat type.

Signs Coat Transition Has Started

• Coat texture changing (feeling coarser or denser)
• More hair coming out when brushing
• Mats forming faster than before
• Coat looking duller or different colour
• Tangles in areas that were never a problem

Grooming During Coat Change

Home grooming:

• Brush twice daily if possible
• Use detangling spray before each session
• Line brush (lift hair, brush in sections down to skin)
• Follow every brush with a comb to catch what the brush missed
• Pay extra attention to problem areas (armpits, groin, behind ears)

Professional grooming:

• Consider more frequent appointments (every 4-6 weeks instead of 6-8)
• Your groomer may recommend a shorter clip to get through this period
• Be honest about home brushing – if you’ve missed days, tell them

The Reality Check

This is when many Cavoodle owners struggle. If you haven’t been brushing properly, mats can become so severe that the only option is a short clip (sometimes called a “reset” or “strip down”).

It’s okay if this happens. A short clip isn’t a failure – it’s a fresh start. The coat grows back, and you can maintain it properly from there.

What’s NOT okay is leaving mats. Mats pull on skin, cause pain, and can lead to skin infections underneath. A comfortable dog in a short clip is always better than a suffering dog in a matted long coat.

10+ Months: Established Adult Coat

Once your Cavoodle’s adult coat is fully in, grooming becomes more predictable – but it doesn’t become optional.

Ongoing Schedule

Professional grooming: Every 6-8 weeks

Home grooming:

• Full brush 3-5 times per week minimum (daily is still best)
• Bath as needed (usually every 2-4 weeks)
• Eye cleaning daily
• Ear cleaning weekly
• Nail check weekly (trim or file as needed)

Grooming Based on Coat Type

Your adult Cavoodle’s coat will be one of three types, each with different needs:

Fleece coat (most common):

• Soft, wavy texture
• Low shedding
• Needs daily to every-other-day brushing
• Mats easily when neglected

Wool coat:

• Dense, curly, poodle-like
• Very low shedding
• Needs frequent brushing (daily)
• Mats very easily, especially when growing

Hair coat:

• Straighter, more Cavalier-like
• Sheds moderately
• Easier to maintain (less matting)
• Still needs regular brushing

Read more about coat types in our Cavoodle Grooming Guide.

Common Grooming Timeline Mistakes

Mistake 1: Waiting Too Long for First Groom

Waiting until your Cavoodle is 6+ months for their first professional groom makes everything harder. They’ve missed the socialisation window, the coat transition may have started, and they’re now bigger and stronger if they resist.

Book at 12-16 weeks.

Mistake 2: Thinking Puppy Coat Doesn’t Need Brushing

Puppy coat is easy to brush – that’s exactly why you should brush it. You’re building the habit, desensitising your puppy, and making future grooming easier. Owners who skip this phase have much harder times later.

Mistake 3: Underestimating Coat Transition

The coat transition catches many owners off guard. “I was brushing fine, then suddenly there were mats everywhere.” This happens because needs increase significantly during coat change – you need to increase brushing frequency, not maintain it.

Mistake 4: Surface Brushing Only

Brushing over the top of the coat without getting down to the skin creates mats underneath that you don’t see until they’re serious. Always follow brushing with a comb to check you’ve actually reached the skin.

Mistake 5: Infrequent Professional Grooming

Some owners think home grooming alone is enough. Unless you’re doing full baths, blow dries, and haircuts at home (with proper equipment and training), your Cavoodle needs professional grooming every 6-8 weeks to maintain coat health.

Grooming Tools by Age

8-12 Weeks

• Soft puppy slicker brush
• Wide-tooth comb
• Puppy-safe shampoo (from 12 weeks)
• Grooming wipes

12 Weeks – 6 Months

• Quality slicker brush (fleece-safe)
• Steel comb (fine and medium teeth)
• Detangling spray
• Puppy shampoo and conditioner
• Nail clippers or grinder
• Ear cleaner

6+ Months (Adult Kit)

• Professional-quality slicker brush
• Steel comb
• Dematting tool (for small tangles)
• Detangling spray
• Quality shampoo and conditioner for their coat type
• Nail maintenance tools
• Ear cleaner and cotton balls
• Grooming scissors (if trimming between professional appointments)

Frequently Asked Questions

When should my Cavoodle puppy have their first groom?

Book for 2 weeks after their final puppy vaccination, typically around 14-16 weeks of age. This gives immunity time to develop while not missing the critical socialisation window. Ask for a “puppy introduction” groom rather than a full haircut.

How often should I brush my Cavoodle puppy?

Daily brushing is ideal. At minimum: 2-3 minute handling sessions for puppies under 12 weeks, 5-10 minutes from 12 weeks, and 10-15 minutes from 4 months onward. During coat transition (6-10 months), increase to twice daily if possible.

When does a Cavoodle’s adult coat come in?

Coat transition typically occurs between 6-10 months, though timing varies. Some start as early as 5 months; others not until 10-12 months. You’ll notice the coat feeling thicker, different texture, and more prone to matting. This transition period lasts several months.

Can I groom my Cavoodle at home instead of using a professional?

Home brushing, bathing, and basic maintenance are essential – but they don’t replace professional grooming. Professional groomers have the equipment, training, and skill to properly wash, blow dry, and trim the coat. Most Cavoodles need professional grooming every 6-8 weeks alongside regular home maintenance.

My Cavoodle puppy hates being brushed. What do I do?

Go back to basics. Shorter sessions, more treats, stop before they get frustrated. Let them sniff the brush as a treat-dispensing toy. Touch them with the brush without actually brushing. Build positive associations gradually. If they’ve had a bad experience, you may need to rebuild trust slowly over weeks.

The Bottom Line

Cavoodle grooming isn’t something you figure out later – it starts the day your puppy comes home. The foundation you build in those first weeks determines whether grooming is a pleasant routine or a lifelong struggle.

Key milestones to remember:

• 8-12 weeks: Daily handling, introduce tools, short positive brushing sessions
• 12-16 weeks: First professional groom (puppy introduction)
• 4-6 months: Regular professional grooming begins, daily home brushing
• 6-10 months: Coat transition – increase grooming frequency
• 10+ months: Established routine – maintain consistently

Invest time now, and you’ll have a Cavoodle who enjoys grooming for their entire 12-15 year lifespan. That’s a lot of stress-free grooming sessions.

Related Resources

For more grooming guidance, visit our Complete Cavoodle Grooming Guide. New owners should also read First Week with Your Cavoodle Puppy for getting started with handling exercises.

Browse our Cavoodle Learning Centre for more resources.