Quinns a poodle now

[Heather, Rocky & Quinn]

I found a groomer that assured me she always tries to avoid the complete shave down but when I went to pick up Quinn at first glance I thought he was laying on the floor by the grooming table but on second look what I was looking at was Quinns beautiful coat in a heap. The groomer managed to save some of his beard and mustache and tail but he is shaved very close now. I was hoping he would feel better but since he came home he has been biting at himself, mostly around the base of his tail. I called the groomer to ask if they had any ideas as to what I could do and they didn't have any suggestions. I have some calming lotion I've been applying but it very temporary. And now he is sleeping in our bed between us which is another first. Any ideas out there? Should I give him an Oatmeal bath?

[Lynda Kamrath]

Yes, I'm sure he is itchy from the grooming.  It may also be a reaction to the soap that she used, so maybe give him a soothing bath with a baby shampoo or other soap that has worked for you in the past.  Good news is that it grows out very quickly.  The shave down may have irritated him also.  My idea - try doing your own grooming or getting another groomer.  I sure wouldn't take him back there.

[Ginny Nightingale]

Might be razor burn too if she went very close to the skin. I don't know how old Quinn is, but the roughest grooming is right around 10-12 months of age when they go thru a transition to an adult coat---lots of times there is more matting under the top layer than you realize--if you can keep up with it now with a brush AND a steel comb so that he is free of mats right down to the skin, it will be easier to keep him longer at the next haircut---if he was not matted and did not need to be cut so short, then YES, find another groomer!

[Adrianne Matzkin]

When Samantha and I were at the vet's last week, I told him she was chewing her back a bit. He ran his hands through her coat and he told me there was shampoo residue all over her which was probably making her itch. I did the same thing and understood what he said - my hands felt 'gooey'. He suggested this shampoo which I was hesitant to buy but I figured it couldn't hurt to try it. I bathed her Friday and I am thrilled to say that Samantha is no longer chewing her back and her coat is incredibly soft. When I comb Samantha I get maybe 1 comb full of hair. After this bath I combed out an entire doodle! I don't know what the difference is with this shampoo but whatever it is it is fantastic! I don't know that if a doodle has skin issues if this is an appropriate shampoo.

http://www.amazon.com/Virbac-Allergroom-Dog-Shampoo-Dogs/dp/B000O5HSWO

[Kyoko]

Poor thing.... They must shaved him pretty close... He must have got the razor burn....

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Posts like this one are all too common and I always want to ask. 'What did you say to the Groomer when you picked your pup up?' Did you voice your anger at what had been done? Did you call to say that you now have a dog with razor burn or soap residue and that you are not going back again? I would be so mad and I think that is the main reason that I groom my two myself.  All mistakes are entirely my own and not ones I have paid for.

[Ginny Nightingale]

By the way, when I groom, I dilute the shampoo way down--when they use it full strength, it not only irritates the skin, but it leaves the residue Adrianne talked about--that is something to ask about.

[Willow and J]

I am sorry to hear this. We actually have Willow's coat short all year around (1-2 inches) and just got her groomed for 0.5 inch. Willow gets hot very easily, so having short coat isn't a bad thing for some doodles. Itching, on the other hand, is a serious concern, more so if it's razor burn. I'd put cortizone cream to help itching, but I won't give another bath since it can dry out skin too much.

Regarding oatmeal shampoo, Willow used to get itchy after bath even on an oatmeal shampoo. We changed to different brands, and that made a difference. 

[Adrianne Matzkin]

How is Quinn feeling today?