Considering learning how to groom!

[Katie, John & Parker pup]

So we are 0 for 2 in the grooming department! Two different places and two awful haircuts for Parker! I even left SPECIFIC instructions and $75 later, I pick up a poodlie mess! Today's groomer even put a purple bow on him like he was a girl! What the heck! At least Petco had the decency to put a  bandana on him after butchering his hair!  We are running out of groomers that are close driving distance from us (he gets car sick)! The last one I know about never calls back so she isn't even really an option!

 

[Anna and Achilles]

It really depends on the dog. My first Labradoodle Houdini let me groom him and it was no proplem. Achilles is a different story. He is not as cooperative. I have had to let a groomer do it.

[Katie, John & Parker pup]

Parker is very cooperative...I would be more worried about my lack of grooming skills...but with the haircuts he has come home with...I am not sure I would do any worse!

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

That's the way I look at it. I just trimmed Chloe this morning, it's not perfect, but at least I know I tried my best and it's not just another "poodler mix" haircut to some groomer!!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Since he gets car sick, check into mobile groomers who come to you!  Or, just buy a good pair of scissors and cut him yourself. It takes a long time, but looks good-most of the time.  

[Elizabeth & *Kosci*.]

I am in Australia and when I was waiting for my Groodle , I did a weekend grooming course with the local college. The teachers are competitive groomers with there own businesses. They even do classes from their business once or twice a year. While I'm not perfect. At least the errors I make can be changed next time.
( You may find a good groomer who may be willing to show you and teach you how to groom your own dog in a private lesson.).
Give it a go.. I was recommend and use the Whal single speed clippers and the clip on metal combs. A good pair of scissors and thinning scissors,.. And I brush regally and am lucky as my Kosci doesnt matt.

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

He really does not look that bad.  I would groom my shih tzus years ago but doodle hair is soooo much.  I have a grooming table and tub in my basement and all the tools.  I am in the learning process but need much more practice, I wish there were grooming schools closer to me.  The closest is about an hour away :(  

[Ginny Nightingale]

That is how I started grooming--got sick of wasting money getting a bad haircut. I now groom about 8 other doodles in addition to my 3! It does take time, especially with scissors. The clippers and combs are a must as is a grooming table with the noose--you really have to keep them still and save your back! You can use another heavy-duty table too as long as it is grippy. So, if you are willing to invest a bit of money--go for it! Petedge.com has lots of equipment and good prices as does groomers.com.

I think one of the reasons it is hard to get Parker looking just right is the fact that his hair is straighter--the curly doodles are easier to do and you can cover up any mistakes--they just disappear into the curls. This type of coat is more of a challenge for a groomer. I think Parker looks cute--but I am sure you have an idea in your head of the look you love  that makes this cut less acceptable. As he grows out, why not just snip him here and there into the shape you want and then, when it is time for a real haircut, you just have to make it all shorter--the shape will already be there. You could also have the groomer just do a comb out and bath/dry which would then make the grooming easier for you to do.

[Dori & Rua]

He is cute no matter what.  He does have fine hair around his face...that could be the first place you start...work on his head.  Then progress to his body...it looks short enough now that it will take a while before he needs his body trimmed.  Rua is a work in progress.  I am getting the hang of her face and eyes.  Last time I did her beard and mustache and I like the result.  It is time for a sani-cut (I had to give her a butt bath a few weeks ago as I was getting ready to leave for work) and she needs a full cut.

I enjoy grooming Rua ... it is some "us" time.

[KAHLUA]

Dori, I agree.  I love taking Kahula out to the pet store and spending a couple of hours with her.  It's also a good workout.  If we do a full bath, blowdry and cut, I'm there a good 3 - 4 hours.  But it's Mommy and me time!  Plus she gets a treat when we leave.

[KAHLUA]

OH NO!!!!!  I have a very odd schedule that keeps me out of town.  During the winter months Nov - Mar, I groom Kahlua myself.  I take her to pet supply place near my house.  I bring my bag of tools, espeically a sharp scissors and scissor cut her like I want her.  The only thing I haven't mastered yet are the pads of her feet.  For this task, I bring her to the groomer up the street.  While I'm travelling Apr - Oct, I take her to a groomer.  I printed out pictures from DK and other websites of how I want her head, butt, paws, beard etc to look like.   I have two groomers, one that I bring her to if I want her cut down (before the summer months) and then another who trims her up (per my pictures) at the end of the summer early fall.  I know it sounds like a lot, but it's more of a system. 

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I agree, he does still look adorable, even though you didn't get what you asked for.  That is the part that finally made me decide to do it myself.  It was just too stressful wondering if they were going to listen to what I told them or if they were just going to do whatever the heck they felt like.  It really isn't that hard.  the hardest part is the 1st swipe with the clippers.  It took me quite a while to get up the nerve to do that, but once I started, it was like I couldn't stop.

[Holly (Jax & Bandit)]

I have a great groomer that I love, but they encouraged me to learn how to groom my dogs myself.  The groomer spent the afternoon with me and had me groom Jax while she looked on and showed me what to do.  I loved doing it and went home and ordered a table, clippers and a dryer.  I spent about $400.00, but with 2 dogs at $75.00 each every 2 months or so it make sense for me to figure out how to do it.  The groomer's rational was that if I knew how to do it, they wouldn't get as matted in between grooms.  It is really not that hard to do at all - the table makes a huge difference.