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Care & Nutrition

At High Desert Companions, we believe that a healthy dog starts with informed care and balanced nutrition. Whether you’re raising a playful puppy, caring for a senior companion, or supporting a dam through pregnancy, understanding your dog’s dietary and grooming needs is essential to their well-being.

This page is dedicated to helping you navigate the world of dog food, grooming, and everyday care—with honest information, trusted resources, and our own experience as passionate, responsible breeders. From choosing the right feeding plan to knowing what to look for on food labels, we’re here to help you give your companion the happiest, healthiest life possible.

Basic Poodles Hair Care

Proper Hair & Double Coat Care

Grooming your dog is more than keeping them looking good—it’s an essential part of maintaining their health and comfort. For breeds like Poodles, Australian Shepherds, and Aussiedoodles, regular grooming helps prevent common issues like matting, skin irritation, and infections.

Each of these breeds has a unique coat type, and it’s important to understand your dog’s specific needs to care for them properly. Whether your dog has tight curls, a thick double coat, or a wavy blend of both, a consistent grooming routine helps keep their skin and coat in great condition.

Regular brushing, combing, bathing, and trimming not only keeps them clean and mat-free—it also helps to:

Prevent painful knots and tangles
Reduce the risk of skin infections, parasites, and inflammation
Spot lumps, rashes, or early signs of illness
Support circulation and natural oil distribution
Strengthen your bond through gentle, routine touch

Whether you're maintaining a stylish trim or a simple, practical look, grooming is a key part of your dog's overall wellness. With patience, the right tools, and a little know-how, grooming becomes more than a chore—growing into a calming ritual and a powerful act of love.

This section will guide you through everything from brushing basics to professional grooming schedules, so your Poodle, Australian Shepherd, or Aussiedoodle stays clean, comfortable, and beautifully cared for.

Because a healthy coat reflects a healthy dog

Poodle Coat Care

Whether you're maintaining a practical pet clip or aiming for show-ring excellence, understanding your Poodle’s grooming needs is essential. This section provides an overview of the tools, techniques, and routines required to keep your Poodle comfortable, healthy, and beautifully styled.

Pet-Style Clips are Ideal for everyday life, the pet—or companion—clip is designed for ease, comfort, and low-maintenance beauty. Whether you're grooming at home or working with a professional, we'll walk you through:

Essential grooming tools for home use
Brushing and combing to prevent mats and tangles
Bathing and drying for healthy skin and a soft, fluffy coat
Trimming to maintain a clean, breed-inspired look—or a well-shaped Doodle clip

Show Grooming
Grooming a show Poodle is an art form that blends precision, technical skill, and creative vision. Every curl and contour is sculpted to emphasize structure, elegance, and breed standard. For aspiring handlers or show enthusiasts, we’ll cover:

Professional-grade tools and products
Coat prep and maintenance for fullness and length
Sculpting techniques for AKC-compliant clips
Show-day finishing touches for a flawless presentation

Whether you're keeping it simple or going for the spotlight—your grooming journey starts here.

Let’s raise the bar, one perfect curl at a time.

Understanding Single-Coated Dogs

Basic Coat Care for Poodles and Doodles

Basic Grooming Tools Guide

Australian Shepherd and Doodle Coat Care

Whether you’re keeping your dog neat for everyday adventures or preparing for the show ring, understanding your Australian Shepherd’s or Aussiedoodle’s grooming needs is key to keeping them healthy, comfortable, and looking their best.

From thick double coats to wavy or curly textures, knowing how to care for your dog’s coat type is key. This section provides an overview of the tools, techniques, and routines required to keep your Whether you're grooming at home or working with a professional, we'll walk you through:

Essential tools for brushing, detangling, and de-shedding
Techniques for managing undercoats (Aussies) and curls/waves (Aussiedoodles)
Bathing and drying methods for a clean, manageable coat
Light trimming for tidy feet, sanitary areas, and a well-kept outline

Advanced Grooming & Show Prep
For show dogs or those seeking a polished, professional look, advanced grooming focuses on precision and presentation. Here you’ll learn:

Preferred tools and coat products used by groomers and handlers
How to prepare the coat for maximum fullness, shine, and flow
Trimming and shaping techniques to enhance natural structure
Finishing touches for a ring-ready—or photo-ready—appearance

Let’s bring out the best in every brushstroke.

Understanding Double Coated Dogs

Basic Coat Care for Australian Shepherds

Feeding With Purpose

Feeding with Purpose

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Because what we feed shapes how they feel, grow, and thrive

Feeding your dog isn’t just about filling a bowl—it’s an opportunity to nourish their body, protect their health, and support their happiness from the inside out. For Poodles, whose bodies are sensitive and finely tuned, the right food makes a world of difference.

Today, pet parents have more options than ever: dry kibble, canned food, freeze-dried raw, fresh-cooked, or even fully raw diets. Each comes with its own pros, considerations, and nutritional profiles. But regardless of the format, one truth remains: quality matters.

A purposeful feeding plan begins with understanding:

Food quality & sourcing – Where ingredients come from and how they’re handled impacts their safety, nutrient density, and long-term health effects.
Macronutrient balance – Getting the right ratio of protein, fat, and carbohydrates supports energy levels, weight maintenance, muscle tone, and coat condition.
Bioavailability – It’s not just what’s in the food, but how well your dog can actually absorb and use those nutrients. Foods with low bioavailability may pass through without benefiting your dog at all.

By learning to read labels, assess sourcing practices, and understand your Poodle’s unique needs, you’ll be equipped to feed with intention—nourishing not just their bodies, but their vitality, behavior, and longevity.

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Nutrition Basics

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Understanding Dog Food: Feeding with Intention

This section will provide you with the knowledge and resources you need to make your own feeding plan.

Explore different types of dog food: kibble, canned, raw, and home-cooked options.
Understand the pros and cons of each food type based on your dog’s age, breed, activity level, health status, and preferences.
Gain insight into essential macronutrients: protein, fat, and carbohydrates.
Learn to read and interpret ingredient labels and nutritional information.
It’s important to understand that not all proteins, carbohydrates, and fats are created equal—quality matters.
Discover the importance of bioavailability and ingredient quality in your dog’s food.
Build confidence in choosing food that supports your dog’s growth, health, and longevity.

Shift from feeding out of habit to feeding with knowledge, purpose, and care.

Understanding Commercial Ingredient Lists

Understanding Macronutrients and Caloric Needs

How Dog Food Is Made And Why It Matters

Vitamins and Supplementation

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Why Supplementation Matters for Modern Dogs

Historically, dogs obtained essential nutrients naturally from whole prey diets, fish, and grass-fed animals. Omega-3 fatty acids, specifically DHA, for instance, were abundant in wild fish and pasture-raised meats. However, modern commercial pet foods often rely on grain-fed livestock, particularly corn-fed beef, which contains significantly fewer omega-3s and other vital nutrients. As a result, many dogs today may lack essential building blocks for optimal health—such as those needed for brain and eye development, healthy skin and coats, joint support, and a strong immune system.

Targeted supplementation can help bridge these nutritional gaps, especially for toy and miniature breeds, who are prone to sensitive skin, dental issues, heart and eye issues, and age-related arthritis. Understanding what to supplement, why it's needed, and appropriate dosages is crucial for your dog's well-being.

This section will equip you with the knowledge to build a thoughtful supplement plan and integrate it effectively into your dog’s overall feeding routine.

Supplements & Vitamins

Bioavailability in Dog Nutrition

Homemade and Raw Feeding

Putting It Together:

Feeding For Puppy → Adult → Senior

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Fueling growth, vitality,

and graceful aging

Just like humans need different fuel at different stages of life, dogs thrive when their nutrition is tailored to where they are—whether they’re growing fast, living their prime, or slowing down with age.

A life-stage diet is all about intentionally adjusting macronutrients, calories, and supplements to support the body’s changing needs. Because a puppy’s sprint, an adult’s balance, and a senior’s slower pace each call for a different kind of nourishment.

Puppies need high-calorie, nutrient-rich meals packed with quality protein, DHA, and minerals to support rapid growth, brain development, and strong bones.
Adult dogs require balanced nutrition that maintains lean muscle, fuels steady energy, and keeps skin, coat, and joints in top form.
Senior dogs benefit from lighter meals that are easier to digest, with added joint support, antioxidants for aging cells, and calorie adjustments to match a slower metabolism.

Every stage brings new demands—and the right nutrition helps your dog not just get by, but truly thrive through every chapter.

This section will break down how to feed with intention from puppyhood to golden years, so your dog feels strong, supported, and loved—at every age.

Putting It Together:

Feeding For Performance & Pregnancy Guides

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Fueling energy, endurance,

and extraordinary moments

Just like athletes need specialized nutrition to perform their best, dogs in high-energy situations—whether they’re competing, working, or expecting puppies—thrive on diets designed to meet their increased physical demands.

A performance diet is all about intentionally balancing macronutrients—protein, fat, and carbohydrates—to support strength, stamina, recovery, and resilience. But performance looks different for every dog:

Sporting or agility dogs need sustained energy and muscle support
Working dogs (like service or therapy dogs) require mental clarity and steady fuel
Pregnant or nursing females need highly digestible calories and nutrients for developing puppies

Each stage or activity places different demands on the body, and the right macronutrient balance can make the difference between just getting through the day and truly thriving.

This section explores how to fine-tune your dog’s diet for their unique performance goals—keeping them fueled, focused, and feeling their best.

Feed for function, fuel for drive—nutrition that works as hard as your dog does

Nutrition For Reproductive Health