another groomer bites the dust. ZERO matts and STILL shaved.

[Joely and Peter and Dood]

Well, I know some of you can relate... We took pictures, we took a diagram, the groomer said he would keep ALL hair over an inch. We came back to this. Barely a half an inch in most places. So much for NYC being the most fashionable city in the world! I will be doing all the grooming from now on. Oh and PS- he had ZERO matts in his previous 4 inch coat. My DH and I spent up to an hour EVERY evening grooming (brushing, de-matting small matts that appeared, etc) and the groomer confirmed when we arrived that he could find NO matts and that we could request it to be clipped to any length we liked. We agreed on a clipper cut of 1 1/12 inches to 2 inches all over, longer on the head, tail, and legs.... THIS is what we got. The good news is Dood doesn't seem to notice the change and we are less fearful of him being dognapped. The bad news... Well, you know.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Been there done that... I know exactly how you feel! It gets so frustrating/exasperating when you first see your dood after a clipper cut and it is nothing like you described. What can you do? At least YOU got your money back. I always feel bad making a fuss (and I admit I've never actually said to a groomer, "that is NOTHING like I asked", so, consequently, I've never gotten a refund. I never go back to that groomer again, though. I personally like Lucy to be clipper cut to 1/2" myself (much easier to home groom, less matting, and she looks so athletic), but I like her legs kept longer. How her head is cut is very important to me, as it really shows her personality, and groomers invariably mess that up. Best of luck, with doing it yourself next time! BTW, Dood does look cool for the summer (I know, NOT what you wanted to hear!)

[F, Calla & Luca]

You spend so much time brushing your doodle it would hardly take much time to scissor cut him exactly as you want at home. Lots of us do.

[Linda and "Toby"]

Awww... I'm sorry this happened. I started scissor-cutting Toby myself after a groomer turned him into what looked like a plucked chicken. It's easy to do, and kind of fun, too! 

[Deb, Connor & Simon]

Joely, you'll be surprised at how fast his hair grows back. I know it must've been a HUGE shock when you went to pick him up, but he does look incredibly cute. If you see any doodles out and about that you like their look, maybe you can get a groomer referral from their owner. In the meantime, your dood will be easy to bathe and brush. :-)

[Helen & Kirby]

I feel your pain.  It will grow back, but what a shock!  You did the best thing by posting on DK.  Next time, if there is a next time, tell your groomer that you belong to DK.  It can make or break their doodle business.  We need to know good reliable, groomers that LISTEN!

[Hazel & Chester Wayte]

Wow.. We haven't had to go through any of this yet.. I am sure it is to come. Dood is so cute.. I love the colouring on his elbows.

(I just had to comment that As I read this post- my DH and I were also watching Haven- Chester was dozing).. We live in NS ~30 minutes from where they film a lot of the episodes. Funny.

[BG and Gavin]

He is a handsome looking guy either way.  Just think velvetine rabbit.  You will have a hard time keeping your hands off of him.  In two weeks you will love it for the summer.  He really is a doll!

[Barbie]

Awe, poor Dood! He’s still a handsome guy and has such a nice figure that he can traipse around in his birthday suit proudly.

The same thing happened to Hercules last month. I didn’t complain until I got home because I was afraid I’d start crying at the store. Why? The day before, he had been given about 2 weeks to live due to cancer. My mom was on her way from out-of-state – her last visit with Hercules. I wanted our final memories of him looking his handsome best, not like a deformed miniature cow.

I did get a refund, but the best news of all is that Hercules has beaten the odds. The cancer meds shrunk the tumor, extending his life. My vet now calls him “The Miracle Dog” and I’m thankful every day that he’s still in my life . . . and that his hair WILL grow back (lol).

Lesson learned: Take a piece of paper with the words “DO NOT SHAVE!” and make the groomer staple it to the front of the dog’s instruction sheet.

[Joely and Peter and Dood]

Thank you so much for this response Barbie. It had me in tears! I am so thankful to hear hercules miracle story... Sweet boy.

[Mimi Linna, Lilly and Lolly]

I will remember the do not shave poster.. um..maybe I should have business cards made with this on it. so happy to hear that Hercules is well!!!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

I would not have paid.  If you went to all that trouble of explaining and they said that they "got it" then there is no excuse.  Either way he is totally cute - I love the top photo but the good news is that it will grow back.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

The more I see of grooming mistakes and also dodgy practice the more convinced that I will be the only one to make grooming mistakes on Riley.  I met a lovely mother and daughter with a Bichon Frise yesterday and they told me that they went to the groomer I had thought about taking Riley to and their dog came back dopey and very quiet and they are pretty sure they "gave" the dog some sort of calming drug!!!!!

In that second picture of Dood he looks like a lion... I wonder how long it will take for the coat to grow back?