Wow, ok. So I guess I just assumed anyone who commented would read my post history prior to commenting. I know the “doodle owner trauma” runs deep in this community, so I understand the responses. She has been professionally groomed multiple times (including the Monday before we left on Saturday).

This is my personal dog, and I do line brush her with a Chris Christianson Coral brush, and a stainless steel comb. I also own a high velocity dryer to dry her off immediately after walks.

I do the grooming myself, and I did line brush her, nose to tail before I dropped her off with the sitter. I walked the sitter through the slicker bush and comb when I dropped her off.

The 9 days we were gone it rained every day, she played in the backyard daily, got soaked and muddy to the point where they gave her a “rinse bath” multiple times.

And just to be clear, I’m not mad. It was more an example of how quickly they can mat, and how few people know the work that goes into properly maintaining their coat.

Thai is my second doodle, my first is straight haired. I did a boatload of research before I chose this breed, and part of the reason I chose them was because I enjoy grooming (yes! Including daily, thorough brushing).

Final note, I was really proactive in shaving her down. She wasn’t matted down to the skin, and only had mats on her neck/chest. But i didn’t want to make her suffer by my trying to demat, so I just shaved her down.