Upcoming First Grooming

[Joyce (Casey & Cody's mom)]

Casey and Cody are 6 months old today. Casey is beginning to look pretty shaggy, so I decided it was time for their first professional grooming.  I called one place to ask about their experience with Goldendoodles, prices, etc. The girl told me - "no problem, we can shave any dog."  I said - NO - I don't want them shaved, but cut and groomed. She asked if I didn't want them shaved, did I just want them to have a bath.  I said Thank You for your time - and quickly hung up!  This may take a lot longer than I though just to find a place with a bit of experience with doodles.

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Sounds to me the gal was confusing 'shaving' with a clipper cut. A clipper cut is what you want, so you may need to specify it, especially in dealing with people who are clueless.

[Camilla and Darwin]

In essence they are the same thing. Shaving is just a verb for cutting the dog's hair with clippers, although I do think it implies a close cut like 1/2" or less. Do you mean that by specifying that it be a "clipper cut" they wouldn't shave as short? The only other way to cut a dog besides using clippers would be to hand scissor the dog, which is very expensive but you can have them cut to any length.

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

I guess when I think of 'shaving' I think of a close cut, much less than 1/2". Like down-to-the-skin close. For me, a 'clipper cut' is a cut to a length I can specify, whether it's 1/4", 1/2" or 3/4". Anything longer would require hand scissoring. I don't know, maybe the terms are used interchangeably, although I've not heard them used by a groomer to mean the same thing.

[Joyce (Casey & Cody's mom)]

That is exactly my thoughts. I could just visualize them down to the skin. I wanted a clipper cut - about 1/2 inch long.  But that's OK. I got exactly what I wanted at the place I finally found and took them to the next day. And - the people there are wonderful.  Between groomings, they let all of the pups run and play in a common area. My guys loved it.

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Glad to hear it all worked out. That's great you found someone who does what you like, and after only the first groom!

[Joyce (Casey & Cody's mom)]

Yes, I think the key was that we found a place that was willing to take a lot of time with us up front talking about what we wanted (and more importantly - what we didn't want!). They had a bunch of pictures to look at, too.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Glad to hear it worked out!

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

I just realized you can get a clipper cut longer than 3/4". I'm just starting to do my own grooming, and some of the attachment combs are for much longer lengths. Never thought much about it since I keep my 2 under 3/4".

[Joyce (Casey & Cody's mom)]

My original intention was to groom them myself, but I backed out when the time came.  I will have them professionally done for a few times, then I may try. But they look SO darn cute, I would really hate to mess them up.  I do groom my wirehair dachshunds, but that is totally different. They are hand stripped. It is so easy to do a little bit every night while watching TV

[Camilla and Darwin]

Maybe it just depends. All of the groomers I've communicated refer to any clipper cut as a "shave". But we always ask for Darwin to be shaved to 1"

[Carrie king]

I am also very concerned about our doodles first cut. I am clueless about what to ask for & not even sure what I want! I usually get my poodles faces "teddy bear" style, which is hand trimmed essentially. But the body has to be done with a clipper, set to the length you specify..I assume? This is what I know about poodles, but I am unsure about doodles as the coats are very different sometimes. Perhaps people could share their groom photos? Tell us what to ask for?

Here's a pic of Chester pre groom..I am so nervous to let anyone tough his awesome shaggy hair!

[Darcy & Millie]

He couldn't be any cuter!!!!!!!!!!