Groomer gripe and eyelashes

[Cynthia Shoe]

So finding a good groomer in my town has been tough. We have tried 4 different ones so far and I still don't feel good about any of them. We brought Lambeau to a home business on Saturday and I thought I did my research. Good reviews online, spoke to the woman twice, check on BBB, but I am still upset.

They had us drop our 9 month old puppy at 8:30 am. She had told me on the phone she likes to take her time with puppies, so it would be a few hours. When we arrived, the place smelled like smoke and there were 2 people working and the woman I spoke to on the phone both times seemed nice, but the smoke smell and the one of the two people working seemed to be a little gruff. At 12:30 I called to check on Lambeau and the person who answered said he would be 2 more hours. We showed up at 2:45 and they told us to come back in 45 more minutes.

He looks good, and I can tell they really did groom him (the last place I went didn't clean his pads, ears, or trim nails) but it was obvious he was in a kennel most of the day. He pooped twice and peed twice immediately upon leaving and spent the whole night frantically lapping up water or running in circles. I felt so bad that he was locked up all day.

On top of all that, they trimmed his face and shaved some parts, but it looks like they shaved off his eyelashes! Is that ok? I know eyelashes serve a great purpose of keeping stuff out of his eyes, but do I need to be worried?

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I think the eyelash situation should be fine although it is weird. Tara's have been very short in the past and she's never experienced any eye irritation or problems during that time. And they always grow back nicely.

After reading your post though, I'm more concerned about Lambeau's overall grooming experience. That is a long day for a baby.  Seven hours in a cage or being groomed by strangers (at least one of them gruff!) in a smoke filled room....no way would Tara be going back there. I don't blame you for being upset. And it sounds like they overheated him  and/or didn't give him enough water. 

When we were shopping for a groomer we always went to the shop without her first, met the groomers and evaluated the shop and watched the groomers work.  Maybe you can try this next time?  I'm not sure on-line reviews are always to be trusted-maybe their friends posted them...you never know. 

[Gail and Bailey]

Perhaps you could try learning to groom Lambeau yourself. It a great bonding experience and you can take your time and do a little bit at a time. No pressure to get it all done at once and he can have a break if he gets tired. I find grooming my doodle to be fun and she is happy to be at home with me during the process! The eyelashes will grow back!

[Carrie Shepherd]

Hi Cynthia,

Lucy has extremely long gorgeous lashes, I'm envious but in the past they got snipped shorter then normal and all was well. Her lashes grew long and beautiful shortly.  Don't worry too much about them.  As for groomers, I too agree with Ricki, your baby doesn't need the stress from those groomers.  Have you ever thought about a mobile grooming service?  I live in Orange County and from my own experience there are so many to pick from and I have found it's very convenient for  us when our groomer was on maternity leave.  I think I read your in Colorado and you probably can find a service.  

Good Luck,

Carrie

[Joan Bollaert]

I'm sure Lambeau looks good and cute, however doodles have the most glorious eyelashes!! So next time and always from now on, tell them to never cut their eyelashes. I'd find another groomer who doesn't smoke and keep him in kennel all day.
My Cooper and Millie's lashes were cut too when I first took them. Not happy about that, but they grew out.

[Cheryl]

I live in an area where I cannot get a groomer and due to my employmment cannot drive 2 hrs to meet a groomers regular working schedule. I " sucked it up" as I had clippers and some experience - I purchased a grooming dvd that so broke it down and was super easy. I had to invest also in some combs for my blades and good scissors - couple sizes , but that was all explained on the dvd.  You would think it's hard, but it isn't. It will save a lot of money in the long run, and it sounds like unhappiness too.  I do say the one thing I sudder on is toenails, but I hold my breath! Good luck!

[Cynthia Shoe]

Thanks folks for the reassurance and tips. It goes without saying we will never be going back, and I like the idea about visiting the location first and to tell them to leave the eyelashes! We have taken Lambeau to the self dog wash twice and he doesn't react well when we do it and he seems to hate the shower and bath at home and both make a huge mess. Struggling a 60 pound wet doodle puppy in the tub is never a win, so home grooming might not work, unless we can get him more comfortable with us doing it. The places we have taken him before, he seems to do fine with the groomer, so I am not sure if he is putting on a show for us, or is just really scared and behaves for the groomer...