(Update: Added pre and post grooming pics)Need some help wih explaining what I want to the groomer

[Heather & Brinkley]

Update:  I added the pre and post grooming pics at the end of the discussion as a "reply."

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Hi!

It has been a bit since I've been on here...we've just been busy. Brinkley has gotten rather shaggy and now that we made our visit to the vet for the annual shot updates, he can visit the groomer tomorrow. I now the groomer is going to suggest we shave Brinkley. I have doing a fantastic job maintaining his shaggy fur until yesterday. Yesterday was the demise of all my hard work. Brinkley and I Went for a boat trip with friends yesterday, and between, his fur blowing in the wind, romps on the sandy beach, catch and fetch in the water and then a wet windy ride back to shore, he is matted. I tried to work on it last night and again just now, but I'm getting nowhere. With that said, I know he will have to be cut short but I don't want him shaved. I'm worried about sunburn bc he has light skin. I know very little about grooming. Is it possible to scissor cut a dog with mats or is shaving the only option? I'm not sure how to explain what I want to the groomer. I still want him to appear round even if he's not fully shaggy/fluffy. I've tried to attached my favorite pic of Brinkley post grooming but i cant figure it out on my iPad... And the groomer we are going to didn't do this... And I'm not sure if this would be considered "short".

Any help would be appreciated!

[Moe]

That really is a great look. I'll have to keep it in mind. I think mine might be too curly on the legs to pull it off though.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

My groomer does scissor cut my guys, and I keep them pretty short.  Because I keep their coats short, I don't have to worry too much about mats.  They have had a few in the past, and she was able to cut them out without having to shave them down.  I do pay more for them to be scissored all over versus just using the shaver, but it's worth it to me.  Good luck and please post a picture.

[Bonnie and Kona]

I'm hoping you are happy with the results you get on Brinkley. It sounds like you have been able to get him mat-free and that should make a difference with the groomer. You are right... if it doesn't then I hope you find a better groomer.

When Kona was young I thought I was getting him mat-free but until I learned how to line-brush in the Grooming Group, I really wasn't. I think it is the only way to get the comb all the way to the skin so they truly are mat-free. 

Post photos! hugs and doodlekisses to you both.

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

Here is some terminology that our use with our groomer. I think I learned it from Ginny!

I tell her I want Cosmo to have a teddy-bear head, with furnishings just trimmed and the ears trimmed to the edge of the leathers (trim the hair to the edge of the skin).

Also, we want round feet, with the hair on his legs a left a little longer (about 1/2 to 1 inch) than his body.

The tail should be just trimmed, and no expression of the anal glands.

Our groomer does the sanitary trim automatically.

I hope you get the results you want!

[Heather & Brinkley]

I keeping this for next time!!!! I'm leaving to be pick up now. Yikes!

[Heather & Brinkley]

Well, my fear came true.  When I went in, we got off on the wrong foot from the start.  She told me that she thought I was dropping him off in the morning (btw, I dropped him off at 10:45).  We hadn't established a time because I had always dropped him off, let him play and then she worked on him in the afternoon.  We never established a time because I had to schedule grooming through a third person since she failed to return my phone calls.  She informed me that "she gave my time away and took other dogs because I wasn't on time."  Again, it's hard to be late when a time was never established. I said, "well, we didn't establish a time but I can bring him to daycare down the street and we can reschedule." She said, "no, it's just going to be awhile." At that point I should have listened to my worry and left... but I didn't.  Then we went on to discuss what I wanted.  I told her that I wanted two inches taken off so he's cooler but still has the teddy bear appearance.  We discussed more and then I told her to call me if she runs into problems because I don't like surprises when I show up to pick up and pay.  She agreed.  At 2:00 I got a call to let me know she had washed him and that "she was going to have to cut him just a little bit shorter than what we discussed because he was matted."  I let her know that I was surprised that he was matted because I had spent a lot of time working on mats and cutting out problem areas.  At that point she told me, "oh yes, I can tell where you worked on him-- b/c the few problem areas aren't near the skin. It certainly helped."  I told her it was fine to cut him a bit shorter but that I didn't want him shaved.  She told me that he'd be shorter then what I wanted but she wouldn't shave.  Well, I showed up and have nothing that resembles my puffy boy.  I've attached before and after. This is the third time this has happened.  I'm now convinced that she is more comfortable with Poodles and less with the "newer" Goldendoodle cuts.  I just don't think cutting him this short was necessary.  Even the picture that Ginny attached had some "curl" and roundness left.  I know it's just fur and it will grow back but I am annoyed. I should have gone with my gut from the start-- I just shouldn't have this much worry over grooming. He should come back looking better not worse, no matter how short he is.  

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Heather, I'm SOOO sorry. You really did everything you could do! I agree...this is bad! And it's time to look for a new groomer! :( This one either doesn't give a darn or doesn't have the skills needed to cut Brinkley in a doodle style. Either way...she's gotta go!

[Heather & Brinkley]

I think I wanted to like her and kept giving chances because I adore the daycare facility.  It was so great to drop him off for daycare and then have him groomed sometime in the day-- but it's not worth it now.  He'll continue the wonderful daycare but no more grooming (she works through the daycare but not for the daycare).

[Moe]

hmmmm doesn't look like what you asked for. On the bright side he looks super soft. I've started asking my groomer for the number on the clipper so I can tell her exactly how I liked it. I like my doodle super short, my groomer seems to be hesitant to cut her short. I guess I'd rather that then the other way around.

[Heather & Brinkley]

Moe, maybe we should switch groomers? haha!  And yes, he soft, but oh so skinny now!

[Bonnie and Kona]

How very frustrating! He is still adorable but definitely not what you clearly asked for. Sometimes there are people who want to work things out and others who are not interested. This groomer seems unwilling to work with you on getting your Brinkley looking like a doodle-bear!  I hope you find someone who is easy to work with  and capable of grooming Brinkley. (BTW... his waves will come back if you spritz him. The blow drying straightens their fur.)

[Heather & Brinkley]

Thanks Bonnie!  I'll spritz him tomorrow!  I think he's been through enough today... but tomorrow will be "Operation-bring-back-the curl!"

I'm going to start looking for a groomer now, and I'm going to ask a lot of questions, show pictures of before and afters, etc so I'm ready next time.