Does It Ever End?

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I am new to home grooming having just completed my third attempt (1 scissor cut and 2 clipper cuts). But since I have been groomer Tara myself I find that I am constantly critiquing her coat. When I look at her now I think "that paw is a liiiitle bit bigger than the other ones" or "one ear is shorter than the other" or "her face looks lopsided". That sort of thing.  Do any of you other  home groomers find yourselves doing this or am I just obsessing? When does this end? Will I ever be able to look at her again without noticing that ONE hair that isn't quite right???

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

As someone who was a groomer for many years I'll tell you ...

 

... nope! *grin*

 

There's probably a name for this condition, and if not we should make one up! It's always worse with your own dogs, too, I'm afraid. Worst is when you're out in public with her and notice that stray hair ...you'll be absolutely positive that everyone else is staring at it!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I was SOOOOO afraid of that!!!  Maybe I should start carrying a pair of scissors with me everywhere.LOL! Poor Tara! Everytime she wakes up there I am with a pair of scissors!! I'm sure she is having some kind of Psycho nightmares about me!!!

 

I like your idea about a name for this "condition". I'm going to have to think about that!! Any ideas? It sounds like you have been at it a lot longer than I have!!

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

Laughing out loud here at the thought of poor Tara having scissor nightmares!

 

Careful with the carrying a pair of scissors thing, Ricki, that's a slippery slope ... you start with just a pair of scissors, sure ... but you'll wake up one morning and realize that you're reaching for a backpack along with Tara's leash because you have to carry, at minimum, the scissors, thinning shears, little battery-operated clippers, a slicker brush, a comb ...

 

Okay, playing with the Google English-to-Latin translator - here's my nomination for a name: Maletansusphobia, fear of a bad haircut.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

LOL!!! Yes, I can see where I could end up in real trouble. I'd probably have to buy a bigger vehicle to accommodate all my "gear"!!! Who knows where it would all END???

 

Okay, I like the "fear of a bad haircut" part-that is perfect! But how the heck do you pronounce that WORD???

[Jennifer and Jack]

I have the same condition and Jack now hides when I get my grooming box out. Not that I ever really put it away.

[Donna K & Quincy]

We are our own harshest critics, I do the same thing. BTW Tara always looks beautiful.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Quincy NEVER has a hair out of place, Donna!!! Holy cow, he is one of the most impeccably groomed doods on DK!!  He's like a Cover Boy!  And thanks for your compliment about Tara!  I know she is still beautiful on the inside no matter how poorly I do! How long have you been grooming Quincy?

[Donna K & Quincy]

Quincy has been to a "real groomer" 3 times, the rest of the time I do him with the scissors and thinning shears myself. Every time I start cutting I have a near panic attack thinking I will never get him to look good because it looks so choppy. I am always looking at him and noticing places that don't look quite right, but thanks for the compliment. I am seriously considering getting a set of clippers but I would never give him the shave down.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

The shave down is definitely a radical move!!!  I have only been able to find combs that allow for a 1 1/4 inch cut with a clipper so far. Although I hear rumors about some that will allow a 2" cut, I have yet to see one. So if you cut him down that far, say to around an inch or inch and 1/2  now when you scissor him then you could use the clippers instead of the scissors I would think.

 

For me the clippers are significantly faster. You may recall that my scissor cut took 8 days for a mini!! In dog time that is almost 2 months!!  That was what convinced me to go with the clippers. :)

[Jennifer and Jack]

I do it non stop. I constantly am looking and seeing a hair out of place or one ear is shorter or longer then the other. I never feel like he is done.. I think that is normal.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I feel like I'm driving myself nuts as well has her!! I don't like that I don't see her as a "whole" anymore. Just a hair at a time now...:(

[Jodi and Stella]

That is so funny! We just got done clipping Stella for the first time and I think I am really starting to bug her with my constant inspections.