Taking the plunge...first home groom

[Stephanie and Ragley]

Ragley is about 6 1/2 months old and has the most beautiful, flowing, gorgeous, richly colored coat (ok- I'm a little biased). I LOVE her hair. It is safe to say I am obsessed with it. I hate even having to trim between her eyes and bringing myself to clip her bangs back a little so she can see was a difficult venture to take on. 

HOWEVER- I am sane enough to realize that for her own comfort, trimming her back a bit is a must. Summer in middle Tennessee is extremely hot and almost unbearably humid. I think she would be miserable with her long coat. It would also probably help cut back on coat maintenance required on my part. Ok, it definitely would. 

I have planned from the start to do this chore myself and so I am approaching the plate with scissors, brush, and comb in hand. I know she needs to be cleaned, dried, brushed, and combed. I have watched and rewatched youtube videos to try to help myself learn even a little bit of technique. 

I guess what I am mainly seeking is encouragement, advice, and maybe even a few pictures to help guide me on what I might like my end result to look like. For those of you who home-groom: is there anything you wish you would have known or a method you have come to like? I'll probably be spreading this chore out over a few days to ease the amount that it will test both my and Ragley's patience.

Please share your experiences! Each time I read someone's grooming story, it gives me a confidence boost and I think, "see- I CAN do this!" 

And of course it wouldn't be a complete post without a picture!

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

We need a picture!

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

I was just looking at your page, Shanen, for photos of Maslow to get an idea of her coat type. Since she's young its difficult to tell what kind of coat she has/will have, but it appears she might have a slightly wavy coat, which likes to lie flat against the body. The trick to an even clipper cut is to get the coat to stand out straight from the body with no wave or curl in the hair. I'll tell you what works for me, but keep in mind I have curly doodles whose coats stand out straight from the body once blow dried. First, for the one who has a soft coat I use a plain shampoo without conditioners in it (and never use a separate conditioner after the shampoo, either). Conditioners soften the hair further, and soft hair has a tendency to lie flat against the body. My other doodle, Lucy, has a much stiffer, coarse coat, so I often use softening shampoos and conditioners on her. Her hair stands out straight from the body regardless. If you don't already have one, do invest in a high velocity blow dryer. It makes quick work of the drying process and helps in straightening the coat (using a slicker brush while drying helps even further).  Once I start clipper cutting I'll do a section (for instance, one side of the body, including the back) and then brush the hair in the opposite direction of it's growth (to get the coat to stand up again). I go over that same section with the clipper again and repeat the brushing and clipping until no more hair comes off (with my 2 it takes just a couple passes). If Maslow has a straighter coat that likes to lie down, even after the above tips for bathing and blow drying, then my solution may not work. I've only ever cut curly-coated doodles, so the process for a flatter coat may be entirely different. 

[Shanen Sadowski]

Thanks, Debb!!!  This will help a lot.  Can't wait to try it out next time--hopefully with better results than this time. :)

[Bonnie and Kona]

Thanks for the tips, Deb! I never thought to back brush after the first run through. I do them over and over but I am sure the backward brushing is going to be a big help. Those sticky-outie places don't show up until the next day! ;o)

[Alicia & Teddy]

Please keep us posted! I too want a shaggy look and would like to do the grooming myself. Has Ragley had any grooming done? I am not sure when or where to start. Super excited to have found this great site!!

[Stephanie and Ragley]

The only grooming is trims in between her eyes and of her beard until this past weekend. I took a little (emphasis on "a little" lol) off the top of her head, her beard, between her eyes, and I trimmed her tummy to add some more shape to her figure. I am very pleased with the results so far and it has given me the confidence to start working on her legs. You can't tell much of a difference on her head, but she can definitely see better and I wanted it to look like there wasn't a change so I am pleased with that result. Here is a pic of her new profile post tummy cut, but pre legs and body

Like I said, not much of a change so far, but that's what I am going for so I am happy

[Bonnie and Kona]

Oh very svelte, Miss Ragley! I always am happy when I've trimmed their face so I can see their eyes again!

[Stephanie and Ragley]

Ok, everyone- here it is! I have rarely felt so completely emotionally torn in my life. I am overjoyed with the result- it is exactly how I wanted it to turn out (for my first try and a first cut and a home done job, that is), but I am heartbroken to see so much of her fluff go :( I will be trimming and snipping for the next few days, I'm sure, to help even it a bit as the hair starts to settle, but overall I think I am pretty much done for now based on what I wanted.

Before:

After:

She truly does seem happier already with a shorter coat. Or maybe I am just trying to justify it in my head...

[Brittney & Cally]

You did a fabulous Job! I love how you kept the legs longer, it gives the allusion that she is longer but the short coat is going to be great for her. I am still on the fence if I want Cally to go shorter this month or for next months monthly grooming. I need to talk to my groomer and ask if I can stay and watch because I am that much of a mess! Wanna make a trip to Cincinnati and trim Cally, lol!

[Stephanie and Ragley]

No way! haha That was WAY too stressful! Maybe when it settles and I can just enjoy her new "do", but for now minor trims only! I would never make fun of you being a mess because I still am lol

[Stephanie and Ragley]

PS thank you for noticing me keeping the legs a little longer! :) It was my attempt at a "bear leg" while giving definition to her body

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

She looks great-you did a very nice job! Tara always seems perkier with her coat shorter too. Maybe it's the same feeling we get after a day at the spa! :)