An opportunity I wish all prospective doodle owners could have

[jenn D]

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to be able to work with a groomer on Jake. I've been determined to groom my own doodles (bath, dry, clip, etc). Given that I have 3 doodles and they are all big (pickles will be), I knew constant coat upkeep was going to be very expensive. Around here, doodles over 50 lbs run about $125 to groom. So multiply that by 3 and then by how often they need to goin, well it adds up. My mom knew of a day who grooms out of her house. She offered to teach me how do do the whole thing. I took Jake as hs coat is the densest and curliest. I spent 6 hours with and Jake learning not only how to bath, trim and dry him, but how to clean ears, trim paws, etc. she showed me how and why the get matted, how to assess whether the mat can be combed out or need to be cut, etc. needless to say it was a lengthy but wonderful and insightful experience.

I know know why groomers charge so much to do what they do with these guys. Its a lot of work. I feel prepared to groom my own doodles and even did a first pass on brisby.

I wish all prospective doodle owners could see first hand what a doodles coat upkeep entails. It was an eye opener and shows the added cost or time that is necessary for these doodles. Although they look wash and wear, for many they need constant grooming.

Thanks for letting me share.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I did all my own grooming for several years but it got to be too much for me. I live in a pretty expensive area so I feel fortunate that doodle grooming now costs me about $ 160 every two months. But it is a lot of money. In between I do routine maintenance, nails ears and trimming and brushing as needed. 

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I would say that "the first pass" is the hardest when you are learning to groom.  It took me forever to put my clipper through the first pass, but once I did, I didn't want to stop.  Maybe it should be a requirement of the DRC that every potential adopter has to call 3 groomers in their area to see how much it will cost to groom and how often.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

How great that you had this opportunity, Jenn. I wish all doodle owners could have this experience, too...preferably before they get their dog, lol. 

JD doesn't have a typical doodle coat and is pretty much wash n wear, but my last dog was a purebred poodle. Having grown up with poodles, I was familiar with the kind of maintenance my poodle's coat would need, but so many new doodle owners aren't. Thanks for posting this! 

[jenn D]

Here are a few photos from the experience. Sorry for blurriness and also Jake is black so pics are hard to take of him.

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

That is so awesome you could have this experience. Your pups
look so cute.
It's great that they can be comfortable at your home being trimmed now, rather than
at a strange place. Not to mention all the horror stories I've read about doodle trims.
Oh yeah, and the cost savings won't be bad either.

[Julie and Max]

That is so awesome that you had that chance! I want to groom Max myself but so far only got the bath down, watching youtube videos for the rest but I'm a little nervous to try. 

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

I'm going to try, knowing it might take a few times to get good at it. I figure it will grow back though,
and I know I will treat him right. I also think it's a good bonding experience

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

What a great opportunity and good for you. Looking forward to seeing your progress.  I am another one that would like to do the grooming, but haven't had the nerve.  I do basic cutting around feet and muzzle, and misc cleanup of ears, nails etc.  I do not mind brushing and do have them completely brushed out before we go to the groomer.  My groomer does groom other doodles and she tells me their coats are not in great condition when they come in and so many need to be cute way down!  That makes me sad.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

That was a great learning experience. Now you know all the right ways to do it without having to learn from your mistakes as you go, like I did. Luckily I had a Hair Stylist back ground from many years ago, so scissors and clippers didn't scare me, but it's still a little intimidating. I do like the time I spend with each doodle individually, because they are never without each other. While I'm grooming one, the other makes himself scarce as I think he is hoping he;s not next. I can only do one at a time and usually a month or so apart. It is a LOT of work and I have often said I can see why groomers ask so much to do this miniature ponies. I would love to send them to be groomed, but Murphy is such a nervous nilly, I think he'd have a stroke and Bella cried and moaned and basically screamed the last time I took her for a bath at the do it yourself doggie bath. And that was with me bathing her, not a stranger. I think they are both just a little spoiled.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

You did real good and this was a great opportunity to learn. I taught myself from YouTube videos and think after a couple of years of DIY that I'm happy with my efforts. It isn't even the money saved though that is pretty huge when you have more than one. It is that you get them the way you want and if you make mistakes they are yours and not ones you paid for LOL

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Amen! I particularly like that if I'm not happy with the results I can take them back to the grooming table and work on them until I am happy.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Double Amen to Nicky and Debb. I feel exactly the same way