A tale of two Lazy Clients.

These are recent phone conversations I just had to share.

The first call comes via one of our sainted receptionists.  I don't envy them their job. 

Latesleeper:  Hi, I need to make an appointment for Tuesday for my dog.

Saint J:  Ok, well, D has an 8 AM appointment available for that day.

LS:  WHAT!  Tuesday is my day off!  I'd like to sleep in that day!  Can't I come later??

St. J:  I'm sorry that is all she has available for Tuesday.

LS: Well, forget it then! *CLICK*

......20 minutes later.....

LS:  Hi, I need to make an appointment for my dog on Tuesday, do you still have that 8 AM appointment available? 

St. J:  Yes, it's still there, do you want it?

LS: I guess so.  <annoyed tone of voice>  I had no idea everyone in town is so busy this week!

What the heck? So, she called everyone else in town, and no one could give her what she wanted.   Do these people do this when they call the dentist's office? 

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The second call was one I was involved in.  I had called an owner whose dog I had on the table at the time, to ask a question about the haircut.  After we settled that question, the conversation took a turn for the crazy.

Client:  How do her ears look today?  She has been scratching at them.

D: They actually look really good.  However, I can't see down inside the ear canal, and if she continues to be bothered by her ears, she should see the Dr.

C:  You know.. I've been meaning to talk to you about that.  You know I've been seeing the new Dr.  (she now starts to whisper)  I don't mean to get you in the middle of all this..

(OH BOY, I'm thinking , HERE it comes, what could've happened??)

C:  She told me that I needed to clean my dog's ears every week.

D:  (silence ... I don't really have any clue what is so wrong with that request)

C:  I don't want to do that!  I used to always just let you clean them every month when she got groomed.

D:  <Wow>  Well, certainly  weekly ear cleaning goes with good pet care.... especially if your dog is prone to ear problems.

I don't even remember how this call ended... I was so shocked that she would fault a Vet for suggesting basic care.  SIGH.  Come ON people!

I'm Living In Doodle HELL.

Are you sick of hearing Doodle stories yet?? Sorry, it seems like that is all I groom lately! 

I groomed a black Goldendoodle for the first time the other day.  They gave me the "don'tmakeitlooklikeapoodle" comment, then the "Ilikeitscruffy" as well.  So helpful. It had never been groomed before, and it was around 8 months old.  Lucky for me it was perfectly behaved (A minor miracle) and the owner had actually been brushing her (???)!  I told her that I was fairly certain the cut I would give her would seem quite short to her, as the dog had 6 inch long hair right now.  Short of doing a full scissored trim (which I don't ever enjoy doing, especially on a puppy) which would cost many, many dollars to the client, my choice is our longest blade, which leaves it about 1 1/2 inches, still plenty of fluff.  I explained as best I could what I would be doing.  I would scissor the head so it would look "just like it is, but shorter".. still hair on the face, which seems to be important when you own a doodle.  The coat came off looking like plush black velvet underneath!  The dog was adorable, and everyone at work thought so.  I missed the go home, but the front desk told me they "laughed" (probably due to the hot pink bows in her ears) but seemed pleased that they wouldn't have all the hair to deal with. 

Late in the week, their neighbor came in. The neighbor has a Goldendoodle as well, and it's why these people got this puppy.  The receptionist asked what they thought of the pup's groom.   He said "Well, I think it looks great, but they think the head is too long".  She encouraged him to tell the pup's owner to bring her back in so I could shorten it.  They brought it in today.  I was thinking.. maybe due to my valiant effort to "leave it scruffy", I just left the head too long.

The dog arrived, and I was shocked that they thought there was a problem.. it still looked adorable and very in proportion to the rest of the haircut.

Me:  What seems to be the trouble, is it too long?

Doodleowner:  Well... I just LOVE the body length (remember, I was worried it would be too short), it looks JUST like a Golden Retriever .  What the heck??? The dog is black and CURLY!!!!!)  But, could you shorten up the head, so it doesn't look so much like a poodle?

Me:  (ignoring the poodle remark)  Ok, so would you want the top of the head to match the body length?

D.O.:  Well... I don't know, what do you think?  At this point, I wanted to say... IT LOOKS CUTE RIGHT NOW!! 

Me:  Hmm.. well many people like more of a Schnauzer look to these dogs, we could leave short eyebrows, and trim up the beard.

D.O.: Weeell... What does a Golden Retriever's face look like??  REALLLY?????? You wanted a Goldendoodle, which you want to look like a Golden, but you don't even know what a Golden looks like?  ARGHHHHHHHHHHH!  Who doesn't know what a Golden looks like??   The sad thing is, their last dog was a Golden mix (just a mix.. not a doodle or anything cool) that looked like a small Golden Retriever.  Apparently they forgot what she looked like.

I talked her out (actually flat out refused) of trying to make it look like a Golden.. mostly because the dog looks NOTHING like a Golden.  Crazy.. I know. I should just try harder.  Plus, if I were to make it look like a Golden's face, that would mean clipping the hair off the face.  Here's a news flash:  Poodles have shaved faces!!!!!!!!  I have no idea if she really liked what I did. I hope so.. but it's extremely hard to figure out what kind of look she wants, when she doesn't know herself. 

"Give it a Labra/Goldendoodle haircut" is not an viable instruction for me.  Sadly, when I try to explain that MIXed breeds can have any haircut you want, they look at me like I'm an idiot, and I obviously don't know how to groom their "breed" of dog.  I may need to go back to school.. Remedial Doodle Grooming 101.  Anyone know where I can take it online??

Why????

This is a Doodle.  A BERNER Doodle.  For those unaware of such a rare breed, it's a cross between a Standard Poodle, and a Bernese Mountain Dog.   This guy is only 7 months old, and was extremely sweet.  I shudder to think of what they had to pay for this dog.  If you can pay $800 to $1500 for a LABradoodle..and Labradors are a dime a dozen, what possibly must a pup out of a relatively rarer breed cost?  P.S. The receptionist had to call me and have me personally give a quote.. as for some reason, this breed isn't on our pricelist!

Ok, I forgot to take a side view before I started clipping, but this is a pretty good "before".  My only instructions????? DON'T make him look like a Poodle.  The last place that groomed him, shaved him down like a Poodle.  Really?  The only other piece of information I was given was, "I like him scruffy".    As you can see, the coloring of a Bernese Mountain Dog didn't come through on this dog.  His "tan" markings are very faint.  I guess a really brilliant black, tan and white would've been kind of cool, but to me he looks like any other Doodle. 

I sure hope he doesn't look like a Poodle.. Maybe a huge Bichon??  Probably not scruffy enough.  I left before he went home, I will have to wait til tomorrow to find out how the go home went.  Bernerdoodle or not, he was a very good boy, so I hope he keeps coming back.  For the record, J is convinced he is just a Goldendoodle that came out with strange coloring, and they chose to call him a Bernerdoodle so they could get more money.  Who knows..maybe he is a Rottidoodle, or a Gordondoodle, maybe even a Dobedoodle??

I think once (I'm totally kidding here) AKC allows Doodles to be registered, they will have to have their own group.  I mean, would the Goldendoodles be in the Sporting, or Non-sporting group?? There are just too many, they can have their own group.   There will be Staffydoodles, and Mastiffdoodles, Afghandoodles and Komondoodles. 

Last minute edit:  I forgot.. problems I found with this new breed.  He sheds!  What the heck?? Oh, wait, Berners shed.. Yep, my comb found lots of undercoat.  Also, he has tons of ear hair... from his Poodle parent, obviously.  Too bad they haven't found a way to weed out these traits.  ;) I guess it's back to the genetic roulette wheel!

Tuesday Transformations

Only one of these was actually from today, but I've been making an effort to take more before/after shots for my workplace's facebook page.  People do seem to love them.

Here is a beautiful Shih Tzu.. whose owner actually owns a brush!!!!! She has kept him in full coat, but once in a while she gets tired of the care and has me give him a haircut.  He's cute either way.

Here he is during the groom.. look at all the coat the owner won't have to brush for a while!

For the groomers reading this, I used a 5/8 blade for his body, then scissored his legs.

The finished product.  He refused to look at the camera for the "after" shot.  Brat!  He looks a bit stuck up in this one. :)

Then, we have someone who knew enough to bring a puppy in for it's 1st grooming at the right time!!  This little Westie puppy didn't need much yet, as their hair takes some time to come in.  His owner told me he was a "handful" and then told the dog "you are going to learn some lessons today!" HA!  There was no sympathy in her voice.  Sure enough, he had some Terrier attitude, but he was smart enough to quickly realize what kind of person he was dealing with.  (a stubborn one)  I think he was a a really big transformation!

HI THERE!!!

Wow! Right??  I hardly took any hair off!  Terriers are almost always a really fun transformation.

I'm so relieved he came in when he did, though.  At this age, he's still more "trainable".  He gave up quickly, when I wanted him to hold still and stop biting me and the clipper.  We had a very pleasant end to his haircut, and you can bet he will remember, even if they don't come in for another 3 months.  Older puppies who have added hormones to their bag of tricks, tend to insist they are the boss.  This problem is compounded by owners giving them a very clear message that the puppies  ARE in charge.  I honestly don't care how they act when they are with their owners, but they do need to behave for me. 

I do offer advice, on how to help with behaviors at home.  Also, if a puppy is esepecially naughty about something specific, like his feet, then I have them work with the dog at home on it.  Some even take my advice!  



Don't quit your day job.. err.. your pre-school play group...???

Today's appointment schedule was once more 50% badly matted, neglected dogs coming in for that "spring cut".. or actually "summer cut" with the warm weather we've been having. 

A regular pair of matted wonders arrived this morning.  By regular, I mean they have been coming in no more than 3 times per year, for the past 12 years.  They are always a huge mess. The owner is aware we give them one choice of haircut. We cut it all off.  It's the only choice for these curly, thick coated dogs.  This time, they came in with very uneven coats.  I barely notice.. we have many clients who try to "get by" in between grooms by hauling out the scissors.  The client thought she should explain.  "My Grandson tried to give them a haircut".  I reply, jokingly, "I see that... he should maybe keep his day job".  Deadly serious, she responds "He's 5!!"  Oh.. ok... I didn't really have much to say after that.

Why?  I don't have kids.. so maybe I'm just confused.  Do you let 5 year olds have sharp scissors?  If so.. WHY would you let a 5 year old try to give your dog a haircut???  Seems like I was just really mastering the art of cutting paper at that age.  I guess today's kids really are growing up fast. 

My take on the story?  I believe (or at least, I hope) that the owner actually did the damage.  She swiftly realized that it looked like a 5 year old did it, and wanted to explain the mess, somehow.  Who knows. 

My job just might become boring without these types of people!

Why I could use a good stiff drink right now.

You guessed it.. not my most fun day at work.

Sadly.. it was one of those days that could be avoided.. if only people would become educated!!!!!!!!!!!

So, sorry to all you educated pet owners who read this blog,  I know you don't need this info, but pass it along, any time you get the chance.

This is a story of 3 dogs.  All were a huge pain in my behind today.  All could've been no problem at all, if only their owners would've brought them in for grooming as a young puppy.  A puppies first groom should be no later than 3 months old.  Even if it's just for a bath, brush and a face/feet trim.  It is the most important haircut of a dogs life.  At that age, we can work with the puppy, help them over any fears, or attitude problems they may have, before they get out of control.  Most people think that is far too young.  They would be wrong.

First we have Dog A.  Dog A, is a Miniature Schnauzer that doubles as a shark.  Anything she doesn't like about grooming, her teeth talk first, and she asks questions (or makes more demands) last.  Sadly, she  had the unlucky timing to be ready for her very first puppy groom during the winter.  Why would that be an issue??? Well, of course it is too cold to groom your puppy in the winter, so you just wait til spring.  By that time, this little darling, who was obviously already a bratty diva who runs the house, missed out on that all important 1st grooming at an age where she may have been more willing to learn something.  Oh, and did I mention that her owner never brushes her.. so that first haircut was not so fun for this puppy, she was beyond matted.  She continues to be worse each groom, and is now around two years old.  Today, I predicted that she will end up a sedate to groom.  I hope I'm wrong, but there is only so much we can do.

Then, there was Dog B.  This guy was a 2 1/2 year old Irish Setter.  A huge doofy, happy-go-lucky  boy.  Beautiful dog, at least he would've been if he had been getting proper care.  Sadly, he was extremely matted.  Worse yet?  He had never been groomed.  EVER.  Thankfully, his amiable temperament worked in my favor.  He took to the clipping and standing on a table pretty well, though he was constantly in motion.  Not too easy to get a smooth, clipper-mark free look to his coat.  I was forced to shave him, leaving only his ears and tail.  The degree of matting would've caused much pain to him, if I was to brush it out.  It's not his fault he wasn't cared for.  So, off his beautiful red coat came, and Irish Setters do NOT look cute in this cut. They are gangly and lean and leggy.  Oh well, hair grows.  This was a case of "this is my kid's dog, I'm just taking care of it while they are furthering their education". I couldn't be upset with the parent.. his adult child made the choice to buy this dog, and they were taking care of it as best they could.  He was obviously loved, a brush just needed to be applied.  Setters are notorious for being "bald" for their first year, the coat just doesn't come in until later.  This causes many owners to say "why get him groomed, he doesn't even need it".  Again, bare miminum grooming as a puppy would've helped alot. 

Then we come to Dog C.    Dog C was obtained by his owners 3 weeks ago.  He is 7 months old.  I can hardly blame them for what he missed.  He is a Miniature? or Standard? Schnoodle (mix of a Standard Schnauzer and a Mini Poodle), from our local Doodle "breeder".  Super curly coat, and tons of it.  Very sweet dog.  No self control or training.  If I thought Dog B was wild, this one made him look sleepy.  Wow!  When I spoke with them this morning the wife asked me "How do you ever keep them still?"  I replied "with alot of patience."  She just looked at me sympathetically and patted me on the shoulder.  The dog was constant motion, happy, happy puppy.  He came to me via one of our wonderful Vets, who sent me in to have a consult with them when they came in for Vet services.  They thought "that kind of dog" didn't need grooming.. they were very surprised.  An older couple, the dog's owners did take the news that they will be paying at least $55 every six weeks for the rest of their dog's life very well.  Kind of a surprise if you were told otherwise.  They also bought a brush, and a comb~!  I even believe they will use them!!  There is hope for Dog C!! 

I'd love  to see Dog B again, but since the Dad is footing the bill right now, I'm not sure if that will happen.  I'd love to make him look as beautiful as he could be with a real setter haircut.  Dog A.. well, I know there is not much hope for her, she will continue her bratty ways.


I wish I could get through to everyone who gets a new puppy.  We give free "facial trims" to any puppy under 5 months that walks in our doors to see a Dr.  Sure, I hope to get a new customer out of the deal, but at least that puppy heard my clipper, and had some training at an age when it's most important. 

A large Golden/Labradoodle (not sure which) puppy was getting walked by our boarding staff the other day, and as I watched it walk by, I said, "he better get in for grooming soon".  I was informed that his owners had been told it was important, but they declined.  They said "we like him scruffy"  We are never going to get him groomed.  This dog has a thick curly coat.  I'm sorry, maybe they are keeping the coat up now, but there WILL come a day when it gets away from them, and they will be knocking on our door, needing a haircut.  They won't want it short.. but it will have to be.   The dog will be terrified, he's never heard a clipper before.  He won't want his feet trimmed.. he's never had his hair clipped between his pads before.  Everyone suffers. Me, the poor dog, and his owner, who won't be happy with the groom, let alone the extra charge for difficulty.  Honestly.. I hope he goes somewhere else.  It all could've been avoided if they would've let us groom him once or twice.  SO FRUSTRATING. 

Even if you want to groom your own dog, I'm ok with that.  Just PLEASE let a professional do those 1st grooms.  We are faster than the average pet owner at grooming (which means your impatient pup won't have to stand still so long), we know how to hold a dog safely, and train them for grooming correctly. 

Please?

Spring is here!!

I know.. the calendar still says it's winter.  It might even be snowing where you are.  It snowed here today again.  Still, I know it's spring.  I've seen the signs.

Here's a sign.. Garden catalogs!  You've got to know Spring is coming when you get these in the mail!

The ice is melting on waterways...

But, here is the real reason, I know it's Spring!

Yep.. I shaved my first Golden Retriever this week.

(NO.. he's not finished!)

I know.. nobody likes seeing this.. me included.  Yet, it's a solid sign of spring around here. Soon, the even worse sign of spring will be showing up.  Dogs that have waited a full year to get their haircut.  Yuck.  With this early spring, maybe they will only wait 9 months. Time will tell.

It's been a strange, and wonderful winter here.  We have had very little snow, and warm temps all winter.  My December and January were slow as is the norm, truthfully, the weeks leading up to Christmas were a bit disappointing.  In  mid-February when the real warm stuff came we got very busy.  The temps reached 35-50 degree, that's balmy for my area.  What snow was there, turned into a sloppy wet mess on the still-frozen ground.  Nobody likes muddy wet dogs.  The clients have been streaming in, most telling us "give him the spring cut"!  Of course we still have the occasional non-believer who says "leave him long, it's still winter!"  What do they know? 

It's spring, alright.  Yesterday, I groomed so many dogs, I felt as tired afterwards as I did the week before Christmas!  I'm loving it!  It's so nice to have an early spring for once.   Of course living where I do, we could get 2 feet of snow in April, and the phones will stop ringing for a short time.   I'm going to enjoy having a decent paycheck while I can!