How to groom your Cavoodle: the complete guide
Soda after her groom
Learning how to groom your Cavoodle at home can save you hundreds of dollars a year while keeping your dog looking neat, comfortable and free from knots and mats. Whether you have a straight-haired or curly Cavoodle, or another type of Oodle, using the right grooming tools and techniques can help you achieve a professional-looking finish at home.
In this guide, I'll cover the basics of grooming your Cavoodle from start to finish. Then, if you'd like to see every step demonstrated in detail, you can watch my complete YouTube tutorial where I groom my Cavoodle, Soda, from start to finish.
Before you start
Before clipping your Cavoodle's coat, make sure you've completed the grooming preparation first:
Brush out all knots and mats
Bathe your dog
Blow-dry the coat straight using a high-velocity pet dryer
Check the coat is completely dry
A clean, knot-free coat allows your clippers to glide smoothly and produces a much more even haircut.
Related guides:
What you'll need
Before you begin, you'll need:
A pair of dog grooming clippers, I use Heinigar cordless clippers
Wahl snap-on attachment combs (I'll be using a #4 comb, which leaves the coat approximately 13 mm (½ inch) long.)
Mini trimmers (for paws, armpits and hygiene areas)
Belly sling (helpful for dogs that like to sit during grooming)
Need help choosing your grooming equipment? Read my guide to the 15 Essential dog grooming tools for grooming your dog at home to learn what each tool is used for and the products I recommend.
Not sure which attachment comb to use? Check out my guide, Snap-on attachment comb lengths explained, to compare each comb length before you start.
How to groom your cavoodle
I always groom in the same order, working from the larger areas of the body before moving onto the finer detail work.
During the full groom I'll show you how to clip your Cavoodle's:
Back
Sides
Belly
Back legs
Front legs
Neck
Tail
Hygiene area
Bum
Armpits
Paw pads
Paws
Face
Ears
Fringe
Muzzle
Along the way, I'll also demonstrate professional grooming techniques for safely clipping around loose skin, trimming awkward areas like the inner legs and belly, shaping the paws with scissors, and knowing when to switch from clippers to mini trimmers.
Cavoodle grooming tips
A few simple habits will make your home groom much easier:
Brush the coat with a slicker brush before every pass with the clippers.
Clip each section two or three times for a smoother finish.
Work with the direction of hair growth.
Stretch loose skin with your free hand when clipping delicate areas.
Keep your clipper blades cool by checking them regularly against the inside of your wrist.
Use mini trimmers for small areas like the armpits, paw pads and sanitary area.
Reward your Cavoodle throughout the groom and take breaks if they become restless.
Related grooming guides
Want to master each part of the groom? These detailed tutorials cover every step individually:
Watch my step-by-step video
Want to see exactly how to groom a Cavoodle from start to finish?
In the video below, I'll groom my Cavoodle, Soda, from beginning to end, showing you exactly how I clip every part of the body, shape the legs and paws, groom the face and ears, complete the sanitary trim, and share the professional tips and techniques I've learnt as a dog groomer to achieve a neat, even finish at home.
Watch the full step-by-step tutorial and groom along with me >
I’m a qualified dog groomer and fur-mum to two cavoodles; Soda and Poppy. I’m passionate about the health and wellbeing of dogs, as well as helping dog parents groom their dogs at home. I’ll teach you the basics, however if you don’t feel comfortable or confident at any time that’s completely fine, book your dog in for a regular groom and pamper session at the salon. Please never leave your dog unattended on a grooming table.
Disclosure: Healthy Happy Paws is a reader supported website. If you purchase products through links on this website we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.