Fired the groomer yesterday

[Trowby]

I am tired of being condescended to and yelled at by someone I'm paying for a service! Fortunately there are a zillion groomers in the area. I did find a great product called The Stuff at the grooming supply store and got some good new brushes. Self cleaning slicker and one with three rows of rotating teeth in a V.

[texanmom4]

I agree with Jane, I hate when the 'paying' customer is treated so awfully! Well, I did NOT know about the puppy transition coat deal until it was too late. I just knew I was having a horrid time with matting on Ruger. I took him to a reputable place and when I walked in for my appt, Ruger's groomer was called and personally came up to visit with me. She was so sweet. She looked him over and explained to me why Ruger's coat had been a challenge. I had no idea! In any case, he had so many mats (and she did not scold me at all) we both realized his wooly coat needed to be shaved. When I first picked him up, I was in shock, but she spent 15 talking to me and showing me and the kids how to brush his new adult coat and not to worry that mats happen and to bring him in anytime I have trouble getting one out and she would work it out and show me how. In fact, she said the prices for comb outs are reasonable (and they were) Ruger was a happy pup and even got to play with the day care pups. We will be going back. Even though Ruger looks like an Airedale right now, he is happy, his coat is tangle free and we have a fresh start! I hope you find the perfect groomer very soon.

Oh, and our groomer has a book with pictures of clients and their cuts for you to choose from if you wish. THere were several pages of doods with gorgeous coats. GL!

[Trowby]

We are going to interview a new groomer next week. Hopefully they will be good. It's especially important to get someone who follows instructions. I'll let everyone know how it works out!

[shelly]

Directions?! I spent TWENTY minutes speaking to the grooming director at a Petco near us explaining what I wanted. She said her matts were too thick to not shave under her, but she explained how her coat should be as she blew on the back of MY dog, saying how the hair on her back was NOT matted. I explained that I wanted her back left long, she said she could do that....You can imagine my shock when I picked her up and she was SHAVED - belly and back! She looked like a lamb. We called her "bah,bah,black sheep" for at least a month. I cried A LOT that week. Good luck. I like the idea of giving groomers the doodle calendar as examples. It's hard to find pictures in magazines of "doodles". I DID bring a picture once to show how I wanted her face, and the groomer's response was "well you don't have a dog like that".. needless to say we never went back there again either!

[Adrienne]

Good for you!!  You most definitely do not have to pay to be yelled at or spoken to in a condescending manner.  I don't have my pup yet but I am already dreading the groomer situation.  I am preparing for it though--I have a lot of cute Doodle photos on my pinterest page that I plan to show as examples of how I want my pup to look.  That Doodle calendar also sounds like a great idea.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This discussion is 4 years

[Star and Goldie]

Another old discussion out from the trenches. This seems to keep happening... But I keep reading them every time so I guess it's not a bad thing but I often think the original posters and issues are long gone.

[Noble Vestal Labradoodles]

I can see both sides of the coin here.

As an owner it can be frustrating to feel like you are brushing and doing a good job and that groomers just don't care or want to work on the dog's coat.

As a professional in the industry (I am not a groomer) I know how frustrating it can be when owners don't groom frequently enough.

A.  These dogs need brushed at least two times a week with a slicker of some sort (I like the purple Les Pooch) and combed out using a standard metal face comb.
B.  Don't get them wet unless they have been brushed first.
C.  If you can't get a comb through the coat and to the skin it is considered matted.
D.  Take the dog to the groomer at least once a month for a professional bath and brush out.  What you missed weekly, the groomer can get before it becomes a nightmare.  Just make a standing appointment.
E.  Ask the groomer to show you how to line brush and comb the coat so that you can do it at home.
F.  Start brushing the dog when it is a puppy to make it a habit.
G.  Tip the groomer, they bust balls to get the dogs to look good.

My dogs would be a hot mess without my groomer.  I love her! 

[Sheila & Finnley]

2009 ?? Who dug this dusty old discussion out of the closet ?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

LOL, my question too. 

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

I bet I know!