DESPERATE FOR GROOMER REFERALS

[Sine]

Hi everyone! I just e mailed this message out but then I thought I should probably post it on Portland group as well so I apoplogize for the redundancy. I'm pretty desperate! Joey has developed huge (it feels like 3-4 inches) wads of matts on both his front legs that go right up to his skin seemingly overnight. In retrospect, I now realize that I wasn't combing/brushing him close enough this whole time and I feel like the worst momma ever! I am so sad about having to take him to the groomers as I am sure my only option is to have his beautiful coat shaved down... Anyone with any Portland groomer referals? I know I need to get this taken care of ASAP. Thx!

[Cam & Oski]

We take Oski to Portland Pampered Pets on Hawthorne (next door to Portland Pet Supply)

4236 SE Hawthorne Blvd
503.233.2799

It takes them about 4h to scissorcut him (they don't cut him the entire time, they give the dogs breaks depending on how well they tolerate having to stay still for so long) & they charge $50 (they also trim his nails at the same time). I should warn you though that if Sine has a lot of mats they're probably going to have to shave him close all over (unless the mats can be detangled which I'm assuming you haven't been able to do) because he would look too weird with shaved patches where his mats are & normal length/fluffy hair everywhere else. The easiest thing to do would be to give them a call (their hours vary depending on the season/how busy they are) to see when you could bring him in--when you bring him in, ask her if she'll have to shave him down or if she thinks that she can detangle the mats or if you don't mind having patches, ask her to only shave the matted areas?

Hope this helps. Good luck!

[Cathy, Zoe, and Tucker]

No groomer recommendation (we like ours but she is out east of Gresham and has only shaved our dogs once).
Know that it will grow back!
I wouldn't suggest to the groomer that they try to work out the mats. If you can't do it--it would be lots harder on Joey to stand still for that on a grooming table.
Be prepared, the one time we shaved our dogs they were very hyper after. Joey may really like the freedom of his new "do"!

[Linda & Charity]

I took Charity to to be groomed at PetSmart. She came back much shorter than I asked for and very uneven also. I would never go back. May I have a copy of your doodle haircut to use for a guide.

Thanks,
Linda & Charity

[Sine]

Hi, I haven't gotten Joey's hair cut ever so can't really help you with a "guide." I finally settled on a groomer and she will be coming out this Sunday. Joey will look like a different dog next week!

[Bette & Obie]

Hi Sine, We have taken Obie to a groomer in Gresham once & have an appointment for his second grooming in a couple of weeks. Please give me a call if you are interested in hearing about her (503-760-5582). Also, I found a good article on grooming at: http://www.labradoodleasd.com/ASD.grooming.htm entitled "Helping Your Groomer to Understand." It doesn't reall adress mats in detail but there are other good tips for preventing them. From everything I have read or heard about doodles, the mats happen when their coat changes from puppy to adult no matter how well we take care of our babies. We have had to cut a few out of Obie. Bette

[Sine]

Oops, I forgot that you left a comment awhile ago - sorry! I called up Theresa and made an appointment for this Sunday. Apparently, she doesn't do weekends but is willing to come out to our house on Sunday which I am super happy about. She was very nice on the phone. Hope she isn't too horrified when she she sees these giant fur balls on his legs which seem to be getting worse every single day. Thanks so much for the referal!

[Sine]

Thank you everyone!

[TuckerDoodle]

We took Tucker in for his first haircut today @ Franko's in Vanouver, WA. They cut his hair down to about an inch, which is a little to short for me, but we'll know better next time. Took them about 2.5 hours. $50 - bath and hair cut. I think they might have also cut his nails. Tucker had a bunch of matted up hair at the end of the ears. We will definitly brush or trim it more often in the future.

[Chari]

Oh no!! Beautiful Joey!!! We just took Finn for his first cut, and he looks so darn cute now! We took him to the owner of pup-a-razzi wheer he went to school. She also does grooming of doodles, and some other "specialty dogs". She did an EXCELLENT job, we couldn't be more thrilled. I was shocked at how long it took as I've never had to take a dog to the groomers. She charged $45 for everything, including nails. They are located off of Murray, not to far from the Nike campus. I would highly recommend. here's the link to their website. As far as I'm concerned, everything they do there is 1st class. http://www.pup-a-razzi.com/

Good luck!

[Sine]

yes, i know pup-a-razzi! our vet recommended us to them for school but i couldn't make it work out with our schedule. plus, it's kinda far from where we live. i didn't realize they did grooming too. everyone has left such great suggestions. it's so great to know that if the groomer who is coming sunday doesn't work out for some reason, i have so many other groomers to try out! how did finn do with his first cut?

[Connie]

I can hardly wait to see Joey's new look, please be sure to post pictures when you get a chance. Joey is such a sweetheart - I know he will do just fine with this new experience for him.

[Sine]

awww... thx! just nervous - don't want to traumatize him with his first hair cut. don't think he's ever been scared his whole life! how's reily? how was his first grooming experience?