A BREAKTHROUGH AND A HUGE THANK YOU!!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Tara has been, from the beginning, a very sensitive girl when it comes to grooming. I started brushing her when she was tiny but it never went well. She squirmed and fought me and I had to play her into exhaustion so I could brush her after she fell asleep. We were both miserable and I kept thinking about how many years ahead we were facing as this issue loomed over us. Even after she started visiting the groomer it didn't improve. But at least I wasn't laying awake at night in tears wondering how many new mats there would be in the morning any more.

Early this Spring her coat length was nearing its max ( about 2 -3 inches before the mats took over) and I became ill and fell off brushing her. To make a long story short it ended with her having to be shaved down to about 1/4 inch and coming home from the groomer's looking more like a Meerkat than a Labradoodle. I was devastated and vowed (LOL!) that it would never happen again!!

Thus began a period of intense Googling which culminated in my finding Doodle Kisses. It was like the heavens had opened up and poured forth grooming information for me!!!! After much reading I decided to upgrade my grooming equipment from a metal comb and inexpensive slicker brush(bought from her groomer) to a Chris Christensen Gold Pin Brush and a Bamboo comb with rotating teeth.

They finally arrived and I couldn't wait to try them. With the first touch of the new brush (the BACKSIDE!!) poor Tara flinched like I had hit her with a live wire!! This was her conditioning and it just broke my heart. Since her hair was so short it was an ideal time to start over and so we did-with lots of treats and very short sessions...slowly increasing... the months passing...

Which brings us to last week and The Breakthrough. I groom Tara on one of the bathroom counters. I was in the bathroom setting up for yet another brushing/combing session when guess who came bouncing in and ASKED me to pick her up and put her on the counter???? Yes, little Tara was ready to start her grooming session!! The old tears of frustration were replaced by tears of joy!! We shared lots of hugs and Doodle kisses that day!!

And now we would like to let you DKers know how much we appreciate each of you who take the time to share your experience and knowlege on DK. In our case it pertained to grooming but I know that similar things happen everyday on other issues for people like me who are trying to be the best Doodle mom or dad we can be. So please accept a sincere and HUGE THANKS from a little Doodle Girl and her mom who, because of you, now consider their grooming sessions to be "quality time!!"

[shelly]

Yeah! That's terrific! Now, because of YOU, I think I may try one of those brushes since Tori runs the other way when she sees me with the brush in my hand... Thank YOU!

[Susan]

I too have one of theose CC brushes! Wonderful inventions! Glad Tara has beoming a wlling participant in your groomin sessions!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thank you for sharing this with those who also have had grooming nightmares and with other new doodle moms and dads who will benefit from your experience.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Glad to hear about Tara's grooming "breakthrough"! Here's to many years of pleasant (okay, tolerable) grooming sessions for you both!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I'm impressed!

[Adina P]

That's wonderful! I'm so glad little Tara has come to enjoy grooming =) I love my CC brush!