Grooming Bella

[Michelle and Bella]

So I thought I'd blog my experience with learning to groom my doodle.  Finding a groomer who doesn't want to just shave her down to look like a poodle has been a challenge.  We live in a small town and so my options are limited which brings me to my present place of learning the art of helping Bella continue to look like a doodle and not a shaved rat! We have brought her home numerous times looking naked and my whole family is in dismay! 

I have done lots of research and read blogs on here and posts and so hopefully at least I'll be a well armed novice.  Hey I figure at least she won't look naked when I'm done...maybe uneven...or she may even be mad at me for how long it takes but that we can deal with both of those.

I am buying a 2 speed wahl proficient clipper that comes with a #10 blade and then buy a 3/4 blade as well as the longest comb attachment.  We are wanting to keep her about 1 1/2 inches long.  I already have a slicker brush, pin brush and comb.  Also looking at picking up a used grooming table.  I bought cowboy magic this week but had already started the process using some other products that work okay....better than I've had before.  Just hoping the cowboy magic will work a little doodle magic for us.  I figure this first time will be the hardest since I'm learning as I go.

I'm afraid after working all day at one of my stores, my patience to sit and comb is not as long as it should be so we have to work in short intervals.  But she is such a sweet dog she just looks at me with this long suffering look that says she is ENDURING what I am putting her through.

Will have to post more pics as I only have a couple up right now. 

[Bonnie and Kona]

I highly recommend the grooming group on this site. It is where I found the best tools to use and directions on how to get a doodle look.