Help I need a groomer!

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

Hi everyone! I took my doodle (he's a 9 month old bernedoodle) to the groomed and he came home looking like a poodle! I thought I was pretty clear and even described what I was looking for and even showed some pictures of "doodle" cuts that I loved. But I was told "this is how we cut all "poodle types"..." Does anyone have any tips for the next time around? Or anything I should specifically say I'm looking for? Not that poodles aren't beautiful dogs but he's a doodle and I want him to look like one. :) This trip left me feeling pretty discouraged. I live in Ann Arbor Michigan so if anyone knows of a fantastic "doodle groomer" in the area please let me know!

Thanks so much all!

-Jessica and Loki!

[Lynda Kamrath]

Good news is that the grow out very quickly.  I think what you want to ask for is a puppy cut with a long tail and rounded face (ears cut to the chin line).  Every groomer knows what a "puppy cut" is and the rounded face and long tail are easy to do.  You should be happy with that.  A poodle type cut with shorter ears and a rounded head (not a pomp) is pretty much a doodle cut.  Then the feet are not trimmed back, but that is typical puppy style.

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

Thank you so much for your help!

[Adina P]

"This is how we cut all poodle types"

Imagine if hair dressers said something similar: "this is the haircut we give all curly brunettes."  LOL

[Paul & Michele]

I had this same problem a few times and I was paying quite a bit to have them groomed besides. One time she came home shaved to nothing I think our poor doodle even new she had a bad cut. My solution.....I research and went to petedge.com bought a good pair of clippers and the blades and started doing it myself. 2 years ago my husband bought me the professional dog dryer from there I had tried one and fell in love with it. I sometimes blow them off w it just to fluff them back out. This year for Christmas he got me a hydraulic dog washing tub. We have a couple of spoiled furkids but in the long run it will pay for itself. And another plus they look like doodles when I get done. It did take some practice though and like Adina said their hair grows quick:)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

If the groomer was not willing to cut what I wanted, I would not go back.  It is not what she wants to do, it is what the customer wants.  If she screwed up the first time but wanted to do it your way the next that would be fine, but to say the "this is how we cut all "poodle types" is totally unacceptable.  Pay her five bucks and tell her "this is how I pay all bad haircuts" and see if she liked that!

[Julie and Charlie]

Regardless of actual cut, whenever Charlie is groomed, I see more poodle in him because I can see his defined shape and body lines. He's mostly poodle anyway, I can't fault the groomer for that :) 

That said, if you don't communicate with the groomer, find a new one.