Ear plucking bad first grooms

[Rachelle Rigos]

My poor five month old Koda had his first groom which was a disaster. I asked for an introductory puppy groom and they ended up shaving him all the way down (he was not matted). What's even worse is they plucked his ear hairs out which I wasn't too happy about and now his left ear is really bothering him. When I touch it I hear liquid sounds coming from deep in ear...I'm afraid he's gonna get an infection now. His ears were just fine. Why couldn't they have just left them alone. I feel so bad for him a first experience should not have included such trauma. I'm pissed plus he doesn't even look like a puppy anymore. Who would shave down a five month puppy? Now he just looks like a botched poodle. What should I so about the ears? Thx
Concerned momma.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm sorry to hear this. If the ear is bothering him, I'd have the vet take a look. You may be able to get a product that will help prevent an ear infection from starting. Improper removal of the hair in the ear canal can lead to an ear infection if the ear is irritated enough and the dog rubs, scratches or paws at it. It happened to one of my poodles once. :(

[Rachelle Rigos]

I will give it another day then will reassess. Hes really sensitive to me investigating it and I dont want to put him through the trauma of a vet digging in there if its not necessary...they put tee tree oil in the ear and hopefully thats the liquid I hear in there...it does look a little swollen but ok imho but not sure since he keeps shaking his head and whispers when I investigate....thx for the reply!

[Pam Thomas]

I have read coconut oil can help the ears.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

How?

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

So sorry -  it's so upsetting.  Groomers are supposed to know what they are doing, but too many horror stories out there.  Ask around, word of mouth recommendations for the next time.  I would keep a watch on the ear for odor or discharge and visit the vet if you have concerns.  Poor baby.   

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

I'm sorry to hear you and Koda had such a bad 1st grooming experience. Unfortunately, you have to be very, very specific when you take your doodle to a groomer, and even then you could be disappointed in the end result. An 'introductory puppy groom' sounds like a wash, blow dry,  facial and sanitary trim to me, but its open to interpretation by the groomer. Did you express your dismay when you picked up Koda? If so, what did they say?

The good news is that Koda's hair will grow, faster than you might think. I know, its little consolation, but chalk it up to experience and go in armed next time. Take pictures of doodle cuts you like. Also, you may want to consider taking a 'Doodle Doo' check list with you:

http://idog.biz/Pictures/Professional%20Groomer%20Inst.pdf

Its no guarantee you'll get what you want, but it won't hurt.

As to Koda left ear, I just took Lucy to the vet yesterday for a suspected ear infection (which the vet confirmed) and since I do my own grooming now, I asked about ear hair plucking (which I haven't been doing). She said she's known of some dogs that develop ear infections after an ear pluck and she would advise against it. I think most professional groomers will pluck the ear hair so its something you have to ask they NOT do. In the meantime, I would get Koda to a vet to check the ear, as its very possible something is going on with it. I hope Koda feels better real soon. I love the name, Koda, BTW.

[Rachelle Rigos]

Thx for the groom guide! And the support....I just feel like I failed my little man :( oh and it looks like they shaved to close his little family jewel nuggets too...they are bright pink and he keeps licking them....no cuts just a little raw....poor Koda.

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Something else I learned after my doods came home with razor burn around their privates time and time again. I asked that they not shave that area, but scissor cut it instead. Problem solved.

Now that I groom them myself I use the shortest comb attachment on the blade for those areas. The blade never touches their skin.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I also learned this with my miniature poodle. She ended up with a bad razor burn in her genital area and the vet said that she should be scissored only, no clippers. 

[Rachelle Rigos]

I thought I communicated properly...I had trimmed his face a little and we agreed to trim him the same length as face like 1.5 inches...he's like a quarter of an inch shaved down!!! He really looks pitiful :(
My husband just keeps saying how terrible he looks...I still tell him hes handsome but I think he knows im lying...lol. :(

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Oh, that is so typical with so-called 'professional groomers'! You do your best to go over everything thoroughly before the groom, and you walk away thinking they understand perfectly, and then you pick up your dog to find they did something entirely different. I'd be shopping around for a new groomer. It took trying 4-5 groomers before I found one that actually listened. Try not to be too disheartened. Its a process.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Sorry to hear this. I hope no ear develops.