Wow, that's a first: a bad haircut...

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

I can't believe this is happening to Monty. We were lucky to find a great groomer when he was a puppy and we've been going to this place ever since. Unfortunately, the original owner/groomer of the store passed away last spring. Even when she started having health problems, she hired a couple of new groomers and they were all fine and Monty usually came out looking nice. They would shave the bridge of his nose, so I learned to tell them not to do that. Monty's last haircut was a little more than three months ago, so it was time. I dropped him off in the morning not paying too much attention to the people there. Came back to pick him up and since I did not see the usual lady behind the counter I asked how many groomers they have now. The guy answered, just me and Julie. I looked at Julie and did not recognize her. Could not remember the name of the usual lady so I tried to investigate with him to see who she was. I thought she was a groomer, but apparently not. I'm really bad at remembering people names. But I thought she was the one getting Auggie's first haircut and last few haircuts for Monty. She always used to ask a lot of questions about what I wanted. This guy just asked "the usual?" when I dropped of Monty and I said yes (and don't shave the bridge of his nose).

Anyways, so I pick Monty up and the same guy said Monty turned out nicely. So I paid, thanked him and home we went. I don't know about you, but when I pick up my dogs from the groomer, I really don't have a chance to look closely. Monty was jumping around just being happy to see me. He was cut short, but that's what they always do.

It wasn't until we got home I had a chance to take a closer look at his head. Man, they cut off the hair on top of his head; it was the same length as his body hair. And yet, they left this really long hair on the sides. And it's not even. It looks like his head slopes to the left.

I'm trying really hard not to over-react. We have a Christmas photoshoot in 3 weeks and I know the hair will grow by then. I'm also telling myself that I can just take my scissors and try to even out the sides of his head. But the more I look at poor Monty, the more irritated I get. Originally, I was going to tell the "groomer" in three weeks when I take the boys for the bath, but now I'm thinking I'm going to call tomorrow and take Monty back.

It's really hard for me to confront people. Especially if we all know how good groomers are important. And what they already think about doodle owners (the ones that tell them not to make their doodle look like a poodle). I guess I just want to know who cut Monty's hair this time so that I know to ask for another groomer. And I want to know who used to cut his hair in the recent past. Or should I just take my scissors and try to fix it on my own and just tell the groomer in three weeks that I did not like the way they cut his head?

Anyway, sorry for the rant. I just got really upset since I'm not used to worry about the outcome after I take my dogs to a groomer.

On a good note, I think I can see Monty's waist finally. He's been little chubby the last few months and it seems that the green bean diet worked.

See what I'm talking about? WTD?!?!

Hello Mr. Waist, nice to see you again!

[Jennifer Tramell]

Do you have any pictures of him right after a previous haircut?  As they say, "a picture is worth a thousand words" and it can also reduce the verbal confrontation.  If you have pics, I'd take him back in and say "I've been so pleased over the years, but, this cut is not right.  See how he usually looks? ".  I'd then leave a copy of his pic for them to keep on file.  The whole interaction could be kept pleasant and hopefully the problem solved :-)

[Leslie and Halas]

It kind of looks like they stopped half way through, and never got back to him.  He's got a look on his face that says, "It looks weird, doesn't it?"  He's still adorable!  You can even it out a little bit, but it will grow back quickly.  It is nice to see his waist.

[Deborah Brown]

I groom Wayne myself and he often looks like that!  LOL!  Grab the scissors and even up his head.  The rest will look better when it grows in a bit.  AND... time to find a new groomer!

[Sheila & Finnley]

Holy Doodle ! Poor Monty's head. They must have been cutting his top with their eyes closed. I definitely would say something. I'm sure you paid enough for the new doo. Thank goodness the rest of him looks fine, and they didn't cut all his tail fur off. THAT would have been a tragedy for sure. I think fix the top and Monty will be his usual handsome self.

Good luck :)

[jenn D]

Aww poor Monty's head but even with the cut I have to say he is so cute and his expressions are sweet.

[Gail and Bailey]

I think I would take him back in and ask them if they would please even up his head.   I would expect them to do it immediately ......while you watch!  Be very nice and see what the reaction is.  If they quickly fix the problem area and apologize I would try them again.... but if they get defensive and start making excuses I would probably find a new groomer.   Monty is a handsome boy no matter what and he is rockin' his new figure!  :>) 

[Lynda Kamrath]

Oh, Jarka, I can definitely see what you mean.  His body looks fine however and they did a good job with his tail and ears.  I would definitely take him back and ask who did this and then remember to not get that person again.  Then, if they do not offer to trim up his head (while you are right there), I would go home, take out the scissors and do a little trimming to get it even on top.  Yes, it will grow out quickly and he will back to his previous look before you know it.  Ask, too, if they keep any records of what "the usual" is.  You may want to make an adjustment on that to say "rounded hair on the top of the head".  Apparently they already have "unshaved top of nose".  The "usual" tends to vary with doodles and what does it mean when they ask "the usual"?

[Robin & Josie]

This happened to us once with our previous dog, a Wheaten Terrier - very similar coat and face. When I arrived, they had shaved her entire body (which I HATE) and left her tail and head pretty full. She looked ridiculous and I was embarrassed for her. I know she really didn't care (I guess it was me that was embarrassed, truth be told), but it took MONTHS to grow out properly.

When I got to the groomer's and saw her, I had a rather bad reaction, I have to say. The groomer said, "She was matted - I had no choice". This could quite possibly have been true, but I felt that she should have called me. I would have picked her up and taken her to someone else who had more time to break up her mats. It was not the solid layer of mat thing. She just didn't want to deal with certain areas and it was easier to shave her.) This was a one time deal for me. Every other dog I saw in the place was shaved the same way. Bad, bad, bad.

It was very awkward. She couldn't put the hair back on, of course. At least Monty can be fixed since he has too much hair on one side. I understand your dislike of confrontation. Particularly when you are dealing with a groomer, who should be taking a lot of pride in their work.

Bottom line, I'd find someone else (if that's an option).  I feel like for the money we pay, we should get what we want. I feel the same way about my hair, and I don't want to have to go through a whole explanation every time I bring my dog in to be cut.

The place we're going to now has the description of what we want in their computer. We come in, she looks it up, we have a short discussion and when I come back, we have another short discussion. I am positive that if I wanted her to take a little more off on one side, she'd do it. It's true that the dog is jumping all over the place with excitement, but I think it's worth the time to settle them and avoid this angst.

Lastly, if, indeed there are nicks, as someone pointed out above, that would bother me more. Do you have another choice of groomer to try? 

Good luck. He's absolutely adorable.

[Ginny Nightingale]

I would bring him back, ask for them to even out the head and stay while they do it so you can make sure they are doing what you want--you can call first and make an appt and say that there is something they must not have noticed--maybe Monty was jumping around or something--make it Monty's fault (but do't tell Monty!) so it is not a confrontation. Explain that you are reluctant to do it yourself without a grooming table. That way, the next time you bring him in, they will remember to LOOK at him before they let him out the door.

When I groom a doodle, I sometimes miss a few stray hairs and I go over the whole body before he goes out the door--and then I follow him to the car with scissors in case all his jumping and moving exposes other loose hairs! (I am not kidding--I really do that!) So, this is inexcusable and not professional. But you don't have to make it into a confrontation--it can be more of a plea for help to make him more presentable for the photo. I am sure that when they see him, they will understand that you really had to bring him back.

[Ginny Nightingale]

PS-his tail also looks too long where is joins the body--it doesn't blend and looks like it was glued on--Otherwise, he looks good. 

[Julie, Boomer, Milo & Casey]

On the bright side - his waist is awesome.  :-)

I don't like confrontation either but don't consider it to be a confrontation.  I handle things with humor so I'd take my dog back to the shop (as Sherri said, otherwise they'll think you are crazy 3 weeks from now) and just ask if they could even out his head.   Maybe he was moving alot and they didn't get a good look at the finished cut (not an excuse but play it off that way)...just say you noticed his head was not even and wondered if they had 10 minutes to spare to even it up a bit.    

Good luck!  He's still a cutie-patootie!

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

I would go back with Monty and ask "what's with this"?  It is almost like they did one side and forgot the other or cut one to short and hope you did not notice!  With the money we pay these groomers I think we do have the right to ask questions!  The rest of his cut is beautiful!