Also difficult!

[Sue Ryzdynski]

CHARLIE,

And everyone, we are having problems too.  We even show groomers photos of what the dog SHLOULD look like!  No one yet has returned her with any of the details correct!  One groomer even shaved her eyelashes!!!!

We are now trying even another groomer.  We live far away from you, so, this groomer recommendation won't work.  We keep getting our dog back (12 mos.) with digestive problems for a few days, after extensive testing, we concluded it was STRESS!!

What do they do, SIT ON HER AND PULL HER FUR OUT!

We have been brushing her daily to keep mats down, hand scissoring the biggest mats, and I've done extensive research on groomers.  so, tomorrow, we'll try yet, a different one!  They seem to be real familiar with doodles and are 'certified'.  We'll see...

After we determine, no stress has happened (hopefully) and they do a proper job (hopefully), I'll post again and let you know how it works.

Do internet research, check reviews, call your vet, check with others etc.  Also, I have a feeling, if a grooming company is smaller, they have more control over who works for them.  If it's a bigger company, not so much...

[Paige and Leo]

My poor Leo has been to several different groomers. He has had everything shaved off his face nose eyelashes. He looked horrible. :( Others have done crazy things to his feet and legs tail. Poodle I guess? Finally I think found a groomer. He went about four weeks ago and going back soon. Hopefully they do a good job again. Fingers crossed.

[TYoung]

My sweet Hadley was HACKED twice!!!  It was so pitiful that I decided to matters into my own hands.  I literally spent over 4 hours with a pair of grooming scissors and cut her fur myself last time.  It actually looked great...BUT it was stressful since I had never done it before.  I don't have 4 hours on a regular basis to cut her fur.  And although Hadley was very cooperative, I can't imagine she liked staying relatively put for so long.  I am presently looking into an electric trimmer, but the thought terrifies me since, again becuase I've not done it before..  Nonetheless, Im going for it because this last groomer said, "what's the big deal...she's a dog!"  Oh my word...no, she's MY dog and I want her to look how I want her to look.  Is that too much to ask, no scratch that, "pay" for?  I know there are great groomers out there, I just haven't found one.  And I dint think I have it in me to see her continually hacked.  Not too mention it cost $60-80 per hack not including the tip.  I brought TONS of photos too.  It did not seem to matter because the groomer felt she knew what to do.  Honestly, I could vent forever.  -exhale-  

Anyone have a recommendation for a trimmer they like?  I too am interested in tutorial recomendations. I am going to get good at this, I have determined :)  Good luck to all of you having a dreadful time finding a fabulous groomer.  

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

I've got a Wahl Arco SE  trimmer that I LOVE. It's cordless, very quiet, doesn't get hot, and is professional grade. More expensive than some other trimmers, but well worth it in my book!  

http://www.amazon.com/Wahl-8786-451A-Professional-Cordless-Clipper/... 

[TYoung]

Thank you!  Ill look into that one.  Im hoping to get one asap so I can give her a summer cut.  We are hitting near 100 degree weather.  

[Bonnie and Kona]

My Kona was so afraid when he went to the groomer. He would shake when we walked in and was shaking when I picked hi up. I started grooming him myself with the help of this group on DK and have never looked back. We now have two F1 doodles weighing 90 and 75 and I groom both of them. Since we moved to Hawaii I shave them quite short and do not make the cute fluffy doodle legs because they spend too much time in the ocean and sand to deal with that. But I still think they are adorable. The last time I took Kona to a groomer it was $120. I didn't stop because of the cost. I stopped because of the way Kona felt about it. BUT saving $240 every 6 to 8 weeks is quite a savings! 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Sue, since you are a member of the Las Vegas group, you might post a discussion there asking for groomer suggestions.  If you get groomer suggestions, then look at the pictures of the doodle(s) that person has, and if you like the way those doodles look, try that groomer. IF you want a road trip to southern California, I LOVE my groomer! :-}  Good luck.

[Sue Ryzdynski]

Thank you!

That would be fun!  Let you know.  Meantime I will post to the Las Vegas group, can we mention names of groomers without 'stepping on toes'?

[Sue Ryzdynski]

Thanks again!

We may have to resort to grooming ourselves.  Problem is we're handicapped and tire easily, so, brushing her, trimming and shaving for awhile is HARD.  Plus, she squirms.

We'll see how to grooming tomorrow goes...

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

How did the new groomer do? If you decide to try grooming her yourself, I really recommend a grooming table as it tends to put an end to the squirming. :) Also, if you tire easily just give yourself permission to complete it over a couple of days. Yes, she may look strange for a couple days but in the end you will like her cut and you won't feel so overwhelmed with it.

[Sue Ryzdynski]

Well, the  new groomers, took her coat waaay down, but, they called before they did the shaving.  I can see why they did it, now, it's up to us to keep her mat free!

The best thing, no STRESS, no digestive upsets!

They explained that she is growing her adult hair, and Doodles don't shed, so, the outgoing puppy fur just gets tangled.  It kinda makes sense. Her face is still doodle, but, neater, the rest of her sports shorter (about 1/2 to 3/4 inch fur!

Gads!

A grooming table would be great, but, we don't have the room, now, we are concentrating on brushing/massaging with a grooming mitt, so it's real comfortable on her and a good training/learning experience.  So far, it's working, no stress, no squirming so far!