Done. Whew!

[Sandy]

I know he doesn't look much different, but I swear I just spent an hour cutting Toby's hair.  His feet still need trimming, I know.  Overall he tolerated it really well.  Perhaps I should use shorter combs next time - I used the one inch on his body, and cut with the grain.  I used 5/8 inch on his legs and sanitary area, going with the grain.  I scissor trimmed his face and feet.  Oh yeah - I also did his legs with the 5/8 inch.  Yesterday we did a brush out and bath, so all told I have spent about 2 hours with this grooming session, which I think is par for the course.

[Deb, Connor & Simon]

Sandy - he looks absolutely TERRIFIC!! Great job! I feel inspired to break out the clippers and cut Simon down a couple of inches! :-)

[Sue Amos & Mulligan]

I think you did a fantastic job. I just took Mulligan to a groomer and it took 2 hours, well done!!

[Sandy]

I need to add half an hour on to my time, since I just sat on the floor with him and picked at his legs/paws with the scissors.  :)  And probably more time over the next few days as I see improvements I can make.

[Lynda Kamrath]

He looks great.  It wasn't that bad now, was it?  Each time you do it, you will gain confidence and find looks that you want to include in his clip.  Have fun with it.  Both of you should really love the experience.  Our dogs definitely do.  They have never been to a groomer.

[Jodi and Stella]

He looks awesome. I can only hope I am as successful when I give it a try with Stella next week. You give me inspiration!

[Maggie Mae (n Mom, Kay)]

Wow!  I think I am seeing a larger version of my Maggie!  Maggie is a mini goldendoodle and could be Toby's smaller twin; right down to the white spot on his/her chest!  I, too, get funny looks when I tell people she is a GOLDENdoodle. 

She is 20 #'s and I have yet to do all her grooming myself.  I bought scissors,nail clippers and dremmel thing.  I even purchased a real grooming table!  She hates to have her ears done (and who would enjoy having hair pulled out!)  She is able to turn around even with her "noose" on, so it must be too long but that's all I have.  I have not purchased clippers yet but will have to at some point.  I'm having a hard time finding a groomer that doesn't want to shave her all the time. 

 

How do you keep Toby's hair brushed?  I can't even get a Les Pooch brush or comb through Maggie's hair unless I worked on her for 24 hours straight!  She doesn't like being combed or brushed so she becomes a woolly booger!

 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We use teamwork to comb.  My DH holds and snuggles and I brush and comb.  I know this is not the 'real' way to brush, but it is the way I can do a thorough job on the doodles.

[Sandy]

Isn't that funny?  When I say goldendoodle people always say "But he's black????"  :)  Toby's pretty good about his ears.  I just pick at them all the time so nothing really builds up. 

 

When Toby went through the coat change I used a rake, and that prevented him from matting.  I pretty  much did it every day and it pulled all the old hair out.  His hair really isn't all that curly, unless it's wet, so I just use a regular brush, or I line brush using a slicker.  Line brushing is time consuming, but it really gets to the base of the hair.

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

He looks really good. Good work. Doodes should be on the long side, so you made the right choice.

Just a side note...not a criticism, the general rule is the leg blade should be one longer than the body. That is only a guidline, so as we usually do with doodle grooming...we do it the way we like it.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

He looks wonderful!!!

[Harper's mom]

He looks so handsome!! Good for you! I am not looking forward to Ella's first groom. It is SCARY :). Great job!

[Sandy]

Thank you.  I'm looking forward to the summer, when my son's vet tech student girlfriend will be home and can groom him with me.  I'm thinking she'll have some ideas that will help.

 

I haven't done his belly yet.  I was going to on the day I groomed him, but he had pretty much had it.  :)  I will have to have a go at that soon.  What I love is that I can keep him a little longer (the groomer always took him right down), and groom him a little more often.