Bad grooming--need help reshaping head/face

[Alli]

I've had a difficult time finding a groomer and getting them to listen to my requests about grooming our little guy Charlie.  As I read other posts I'm learning this is an all too common problem!  What is it with grooming goldendoodles?! After the third visit, I finally got the groomer to stop shaving the hair between his eyes.  But now the shape of his head is different because of the way she trimmed it.  First of all, does anyone have a recommendation for a groomer in Lexington, KY?  Also, does anyone have any advice/website/blog, etc. on how to reshape his face and head myself?  Much appreciated!

[Kimberly Cook]

Do you have a photo? It may be best to just let it grow back out. I feel your pain. I finally found a groomer I could have worked with then she moved to Cali. :/

[Alli]

I don't have one with me now!  Basically it's cut straight across his brow, flat on the top, and the hair across his muzzle is too long.  I'd like his face/head more round and his muzzle hair blended more to give it a round appearance around his nose and mouth.  It's amazing how they can completely change the way a goldendoodle looks by grooming him a certain way!  I even took pictures with me. :o(

[Lynda Kamrath]

Sounds like some of the haircuts I had as a kid.  The bangs are definitely out.  Rounded on the top is the look that I like also.  Keep at it.  You will get the look you want, if not right now, in the near future.

[Lynda Kamrath]

If you are not happy with the groomers in your area, I would really suggest that you start doing your own grooming.  We starting on our standard poodle 25 years ago and have groomed all our dogs since then.  You get better with practice and you get what you want.  We keep Harpo a little longer now and it is no problem in this area because it does not get very hot.  Scissors cutting is best but you may want to use a clippers on his face, feet, and stomach.  The rounded look on the head is what we prefer, but it is up to you.  We clip him with a 6 mm clippers from under the eyes to the back of the ears, clip the inside of the ears and then trim the length of the ears to make a rounded shape.  Just hop in there and give it a try.  And the good news is - they grow out very rapidly.

[Paige and Leo]

I hear ya loud and clear ; ) Leo has been to several groomers. They even get pictures diagrams printout of what I want. He comes out looking like nothing like he should. Shaved nose around eyes big poof on top. I found a new groomer hopefully she will do a good job. ;)

[TYoung]

My sweet Hadley was HACKED twice!!!  It was so pitiful that I decided to matters into my own hands.  I literally spent over 4 hours with a pair of grooming scissors and cut her fur myself last time.  It actually looked great...BUT it was stressful since I had never done it before.  I don't have 4 hours on a regular basis to cut her fur.  And although Hadley was very cooperative, I can't imagine she liked staying relatively put for so long.  I am presently looking into an electric trimmer, but the thought terrifies me since, again becuase I've not done it before..  Nonetheless, Im going for it because this last groomer said, "what's the big deal...she's a dog!"  Oh my word...no, she's MY dog and I want her to look how I want her to look.  Is that too much to ask, no scratch that, "pay" for?  I know there are great groomers out there, I just haven't found one.  And I dint think I have it in me to see her continually hacked.  Not too mention it cost $60-80 per hack not including the tip.  I brought TONS of photos too.  It did not seem to matter because the groomer felt she knew what to do.  Honestly, I could vent forever.  -exhale-  

Anyone have a recommendation for a trimmer they like?  I too am interested in tutorial recomendations. I am going to get good at this, I have determined :)  Good luck to all of you having a dreadful time finding a fabulous groomer.  

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

For reshaping, I would suggest getting Blending Shears (they are also called "thinning" shears). Instead of a straight line, they have little "teeth" on them that create a more natural look. You can get a cheap pair at Petco, and then start snipping into the shape that you want.

 

 

[Nicole and Teddy]

I had a bad experience too at Petsmart. I took Teddy there to be groomed 3 times and each time they overcharged me for extra dematting and he came out looking like a poodle--no matter what kind of instruction I gave them. I finally found a good groomer in the area (Charleston, SC) via a friend who has a labradoodle. The groomer really takes pride in her work, does a fantastic job and charges way less than Petsmart- plus Teddy loves her! really think talking to other doodle owners and finding out where they go in your area is key! Good luck!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Sorry about Charlie's bad grooming experience. This is why many of us have turned to home grooming. There are many helpful grooming videos on YouTube .  Many groomers leave the doodle muzzles longer so try searching other similar breeds that tend to get teddy bear cuts such as cockapoos, these have more of a rounded face.

Tara used to come home from the groomer's looking like anything but a labradoodle. I took pictures for her too and all she said was "that looks messy".  That was our last visit.  Good luck!

[Susan]

Hi Alli, I just joined doodlekisses.com. We have a ~ 18 month old medium Australian Labradoodle, named Charlie. One of the reasons I joined this site, was that we have recently relocated to the Lexington, KY area and I am looking for recommended groomers for our Labradoodle in the area. Like so many others, we have had some not so great experiences in the past, and want to find someone who won't just shave her every time. I noticed you are from the Lexington area as well, and I wasn't sure if you had found a groomer you were pleased with since your initial post. Thanks in advance!

[Alli]

Hi Susan, I have not been on doodlekisses in months, if not a year and I just logged on today to find an answer to something.  So I just saw your post--sorry for the delay!  I take Charlie to Victoria at Pet Paws.  She does tons of goldendoodles and she is pretty good at doing exactly what you tell her to do.  It did take a few times for her to stop cutting his face too short, but now she knows exactly how we like our Charlie trimmed.  She is sometimes hard to get in touch with--that's just her personality so keep trying if you can't reach her at the shop.  Good luck!