Doodle Grooming... Need referrals

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Hi all,

 

Lucy is due for a clipper cut (her 1st!) for summer and I've made an appt. with Theresa Livingston of Sheer Elegance (she's a mobile groomer). I found her name many months ago, but I can't remember where. She charges $70 ($15 extra to come right to your home) which seems a bit steep to me, but if she does a great job then it will be worth it.

 

I live in the Bethany area and Theresa parks her van in an area not far from our home every Tuesday, so I was able to schedule Lucy for one of her regularly scheduled Tuesdays.

 

I'm getting nervous now, though, because I don't know what kind of job she does on doodles. She sounds very nice on the phone, and I have seen articles on-line on her grooming abilities, just not on doodles, specifically.

 

Has anyone used Theresa before, and if so, what did you think of her work? If not, can you supply names of the groomers you're pleased with and where they're located?

 

Pictures are always appreciated!

 

Thanks everyone!

 

 

[Summer Promisloff]

Hi Debb & Lucy!

I can totally relate to your concerns about Lucy's first cut. I was VERY nervous the first time I had Sammi's hair even trimmed. (I leave Sammi's hair long, about 7 or 8 inches, but get the hair on his paws cut like a poodle. I also get a "sanitary" cut on Sammi's underbelly and bum which is an excellent way to keep him cleaner.)

I tried several people in the Washington County & Portland areas with mixed results, though I have not heard of Theresa. I take Sammi to Shelly at "Wiggles & Wags". She is at 6141 SW Macadam, Suite 105 in Portland and her # is: 503-977-1775. Shelly used to be a dog trainer and has a remarkable way with the dogs/puppies. She has an extensive Doodle clientele and does both long and short haired Doodles. She is VERY reasonable and will be totally up front with you about pricing.

I don't know if $70.00 is the going rate or not, but I can tell you that Sammi had a 3 + hours grooming session which included extensive de-matting, wash, conditioner, blow dry, trim, poodle paws cut, sanitary cut, nail trim & ear hair pulled for only $75.00.

I have referred several people to Shelly and they have all been quite satisfied and continue to go back. Shelly just recently added pictures to her web site, but you would need to call her to get her web site info, since I don't have that.

I know how extremely important it is to have trust and a sense of safety when handing over your Doodle to a stranger. I hope you get lots of positive feedback on Theresa, and/or lots of wonderful referrals & pictures so you can rest assured that you made the best possible informed decision. Make sure you let us all know how Lucy's first cut went!

Summer Smiles!!

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Thanks Summer for the referral. I'm going to go to Theresa and see just how she does before I make any change. I'll go armed with a 'doodle grooming' instruction sheet so as to avoid any confusion over what I expect with Lucy's trim. If it goes poorly, I'll give Shelly a try next time.

I'm amazed you keep Sammi so long... I've been bathing and blow drying Lucy since she was 9 weeks old and just this week I realized her hair is just too long for me to manage comfortably (at about 4"... maybe 5"). This week's grooming took me about 1-1/2hrs... up from about 40 minutes 2 weeks prior. I did include ear cleaning and foot trimming this week, though, but still, her hair took FOREVER to blow dry with a high velocity dryer. Since I do Lucy's weekly grooming its important to me to make it as easy (and quick!) as possible. Less stress for Lucy, too. So we're going with a 1" long summer cut. I'll post pictures afterward (her appt. isn't until May 6th, so don't hold your breath!).

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Just wanted to check in with an update on Lucy's 1st professional Summer cut. I took along 'The Doodles Do' guide for the groomer to reference and I think Lucy turned out very well. My only question (which I realized hours after the groom) was whether she had cut Lucy's legs 2" as specified in the guide. They look to be cut 1" like the rest of her body. Still, I'm pleased. Lucy looks so svelt now... after being such a fluffy puppy!

Here's a BEFORE pic:

And here's an AFTER pic: