Questions about choosing a groomer, and what to ask for?

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

I am new to this group and wanted to help everyone out.  I would LOVE to give advice on how to choose your groomer, how to maintain the style that you choose, and how to describe what you are looking for haircut-wise on your pooch. I've seen many horror stories on here about doodle owners not getting what they would like to achieve, and I'm hoping that with answering some of your questions, you will be able to walk into a grooming salon with confidence knowing that you are asking the right questions.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

That's great! Sophie has an appointment at noon and I'm really excited/nervous. I got some good advice, and filled out the doodle doo checklist and printed some pics of what I like. I will post before and after pics. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Good luck SophieBear!

[Adina P]

Okay, I'll bite!

 

I have an F1 labradoodle that I mostly groom on my own.  Not because I have mad skills, but because it is more economical to do it on my own and I am almost always satisfied with my results since I have control over how he's groomed.  However, now and then I've taken him to PetCo and to the groomer at our local doggy daycare for a trim.  Both times I've been disappointed because I expect far more from someone getting paid to do the job.  His feet come back too hairy between his pads, he's rarely even, or they trim him to a different length than I ask and just barely trim under his ear flaps. 

 

Is it even realistic for me to expect my directions to be followed from someone at PetCo or a young groomer whose not terribly experienced but MORE experienced than me?  Or is my choice basically to groom him myself OR only work with 'the best in town'?  (by the way this is not at all a matting issue...his coat just doesn't have problems in that area).  The worst example is when he was about 3 inches and I confirmed this with the groomer while we went over his coat.  I wanted him cut to 1.5 inches and he came back less than an inch on his body with a lollipop head...lol.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Daisy has her first appointment with a new groomer tomorrow - is it reasonable for me to ask for a scissor cut - I really don't like it when she comes back buzzed, however I mostly am concerned with her legs being scissored. I stopped by another groomer and when I asked they looked at me cross eyed, I left that place like they had fire ants on the floor.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Ya know what I want is longer legs so clippered body is fine, I think this is what she gets usually. I had to change groomers. She was just too busy and the space was too full...the last time I made an appointment she had her 6.5 hours and she ended up shaving her down almost to the skin, it wasn't awful but I didn't understand the length of time she had her to shave her down not too mention that I know she had a couple of mats on her rear quarter after the winter but I think it was totally doable to short cut her and brush the mats out.

Daisy was so upset when we tried to take her back she actually pulled me back to the car when she saw where we were - never did that before, hence the search for a new groomer. It's been hard.

Her coat is in fab condition, we brush her every other day. No mats but her coat is very very thick - I have no idea the dif between fleece and wool and whatever.

Do you use a Les Pooche brush that everyone talks about? DH wants to get one but I don't want to spend $90. Currently I use a slicker brush and a butter comb.

Am I bothering you yet - LOL

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Not to sound stupid-what's a butter comb?

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Actually this comb is quite thick and heavy and is staggared toothed. We love it but it can be hard to handle on cause again it is quite heavy.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Yes it is....you can get a wooden handle for it but still, it's pretty heavy but it does a fantastic job.

[Adina P]

I know that IDOG's outgoing director highly recommends keeping hair around eyes trimmed both for the dog's best vision and to not impede dog-dog communication since apparently there are some subtle face/eye movements dogs use to communicate intentions/feelings/etc.  I don't know how much it makes a difference for each and every dog, but it sounds reasonable to not hinder their vision or body language with fur obstructed eyes

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Hi! Myla has an appointment Friday, we take her in every 3 weeks for a brush out and I do what I can in between at home. We want to give her a summer cut maybe an inch to inch and half? She has very thick wooly hair and it's always matted-last time they had to shave her to the skin it was pretty bad. Anyway last time we wanted her face and head untouched, it looked funny until her started growing back and you can see she has a fro going on the top. I want it to be a little shorter and not touch the face or anything. Do I ask her to use thinning shears on top or just cut a bit off. We love her head but it's getting too big and wild since it's never been cut. Her legs are in such bad shape and she's uneven now and she's like velcro to bugs outside so I want to shorten it a bit. Basically I'm scared  any advice?

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Thanks so much-I can take care of her head and face well by myself. I just hate when they have short rounded heads-this hair is part of her personality just a bit much my husband doesn't want to cut it-it's a must. I will use the bobblehead advice!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Jennifer, please send Valerie the picture of Myla on the back of the couch so she knows what a real bobble head looks like. tee hee LOL