Working with a groomer

[Kathy, Harley & Roxie]

Finally decided to work with a groomer for Harley.  This is the end result of his scissor cut yesterday.  Over all I think she did a great job.   I would like the face to be a little less "groomed" looking  if that makes sense.   How do I get the hair to curl tho after they have blown him dry for the cut?  I want him to look shaggy like when he dries naturally.  I've tried misting him, but really doesn't change it.  Will I have to completely wet him down and let him dry naturally?  

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

OMD he looks beautiful!  Libby comes home all fluff too and within a day or two it goes to shaggy!  He is gorgeous:)

[Bonnie and Kona]

Harley looks wonderful. When you spritzed him did you squeeze the water into his coat? That will help, but as Lonnie said, he will get shaggy in a few days anyway. 

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

You can also rub him lightly with a damp rag.

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

She did a nice even job. If I was going to change anything about the head and face, this is what I would do.

More hair off between the eyes.

Shorter beard

Longer mustache more layered

Blend head into ears more. Head should be layered. ie top is short and layers start there. Length of hair on ear should be layered and no longer than the longest part of the head.

Hope that last part makes sense and is constructive. Groomers tend to do 'poodle points' on the head and it should be more like a bichon. Poodles are supposed to have a definite space between the shorter head top and long haired ears.

From what I can see of the body, it looks great. For some dogs if you really want the curls, you do have to rewash and let them dry naturally. Some other coats will go back with a spritz. A walk in the rain usually does it. :)

PS if you tell a groomer to make a 'bichon head' make sure they do not do a 'bichon face' as well. A doodle face has a difference between the cheeks and muzzle. ie cheeks shorter, and muzzle fuller. A bichon head is full and round everywhere.

 

[Carolyn Shusterman]

Barb, thank you for the comments.  Handson Harley did need a few changes to his cut to get the 'doodle expression'.  I have been grooming Hershey myself (so far) and I find all of your expertise very helpful. 

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

Good, I'm always trying to get that balance between encouragement and critisizing. I don't want to discourage people's best efforts. It's easier for me to pick on a professional groomer than a person doing their own. lol

 

[Kathy, Harley & Roxie]

Barb, totally with Carolyn.  Greatly!!! appreciate your advice and instruction.  Here is a body shot, and please feel free to comment.  ;-)

[Angela C Martin]

Try spraying him with Cowboy Magic or a leave in coat conditioner and rubbing the hair in the opposite direction that it grows. Scrunch his hair like they do humans at a salon.

[Kathy, Harley & Roxie]

I use a leave in conditioner called Magic Touch grooming spray.  I wonder if they are similar?  I did comb some in to his coat this morning and it did wave up a bit,  I'll try rubbing it in the opposite direction tonight, that should get it wet easier.  

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Harley is a GORGEOUS doodle! Barb's comments were spot on. My Oscar also has that dark beard and I like to keep it short to minimize it. As to the professional 'fluff', one walk out in the rain and Oscar had his curls back :)

[Kathy, Harley & Roxie]

Thank you all for the sweet comments.  I think he's one handsome Dood myself, but then I am his mom.  ;-)

[Gwyndolyn Morasko]

I'm so nervous for Kona's first full grooming, since his one and only experience was so bad.  (I took him in just for a wash and fluff, and he came out with a shaved nose.  The groomer thought he was doing me a favor so that I could see his eyes better).  It has already been a month and he still only has about 1/2 inch of his funny 3 inch doodle face hair back. 

 

Harley looks so soft and huggable!  I just want to lie down on him like a pillow!  So cute!