What to tell the groomer
 I have only ever taken my babes to one other groomer and she ruined Sonny. He is scared to death. The last time I took them (before I got Steel) Sonny hid behind me and she came behind me with a comb and pulled his hair with one long stroke. He turned to bite her. He doesn't bite. I smacked her hand away, and asked her to give me the comb so I could brush her hair like that. Sonny is a poodle mix. His hair is very soft except his booty area is nasty poodle hair and it matts no matter what I do. I joke he has combination hair, like people have combination skin. Anyway, she got a little testy and needless to say we never went back there and the place went out of business shortly after. This was an upscale place where I live...Everyone went there! So, this new woman has come highly recommended. I spoke to her over the phone, she is coming in on her day off to do just my dogs. I warned her that I am difficult to deal with. I am. She seemed fine with that. She is an older woman with grandkids who seems to ENJOY her job. She seems to be there because she loves dogs not because she wants to make a ton of money or because she has to have a job somewhere. She didn't sound like me....always in a rush and matter of fact. Haha! These are all things I found appealing. Here is the thing - I know what to tell her to do with Sonny and Skye because the other woman made enough mistakes on them. Better said - I know what to ask her not to do. I do not know what to tell her to do or not to with Steel. I don't want his hair cut!!!! He does have 4 matts and I told her that and she seemed seriously perplexed that that was all. She said she had never groomed an OES (I've never seen one here so that's expected) but that she would expect several. She said she could get them out. I don't think she can get them out because I can't and I've tried everything. They are from when he was wearing his cone. He has one one each side of his nostril holes super tiny but there none the less and tightly bound and one under his chin in his beard same as the others super tight and right up by his skin. The other is in the inside of his ear. Except the nostril hole ones I think they can be cut out without even being seen but I'm afraid to do it because I don't want to cut him. She thinks she can use the de-matting spray but I've already tried. He lays right down for me to be brushed but I don't know how he will be for her. He may spend 1/2 hr. trying to suck her face off. The brush always sticks him in the nose holes when I try to get down and dirty with those nostril hole matts. I thought I might try to separate it all yesterday to cut them out but I kept poking him. The comb was just to big, that bangs on his teeth. Better left to the pro's I guess. I was hoping to get some suggestions so I can tell her what to do so he doesn't come out looking naked! I would hate to be incarcerated for groomer abuse! Haha! Oh one more thing...Sorry this is so long. I usually brush him on the couch or the floor. He spreads wayyyy out and usually ends up sleeping. One side then I have to stand up and flop his big butt over. Lots of space! I don't think he is going to fit on any kind of table. How does that work? Is he supposed to stand up on a table the whole time? |
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| When I first took Bella to a groomer she came recommended by someone who shows OES. She was very experienced with how to trim and get mats out and she grooms show OES. Before she opened her own place she worked for someone else so I was not allowed into the grooming area but there was a large window so I could see in. I needed help with shaping the neck/shoulder and head areas. Since then she has opened her own business and when I called her she invited me to bring Bella to Madeline's place as she was going to be grooming her dogs later for a show. We spent 2 hours together bathing and trimming Bella. She showed me tricks to use to get out bad mats and how to cut the areas I was having difficulty with. It was great and her fees reasonable. One of her tips for mats that you can't get out with a little teasing is to use your rake. This will cut through the hair that is too knotted. hold the skin and hair closest to the dog so that when you rake the mat you don't pull the skin. this will take more than one pass but if you are nervous about cutting with scissors and want to try to keep as much hair as possible it is an option. Ice on Ice product also helps. I spray the mat with this and let is sit for a few seconds then use your comb to tease the mat. It will take time but this product helps the hairs and teeth of the comb to slide better. I groom on the floor to be honest. I do one side then make her roll on her back where she is propped between my legs and her head at my bellybutton. This allows me to get under her chin and the chest area. Once done there continue the roll and voila on to the next side! A little unconventional and sometimes we take breaks from one side to the next but it works for us |
| I'd suggest looking for some pictures to show her the kind of trim you want, especially if you can find multiple angles. Most of the "bad grooming" pictures I've seen look like the head tripped them up, so look for good headshots! And I second the suggestion of a matt rake. It works very well on Benson. Just before Christmas we took Benson to the groomer for the very first time in her life (she's 3-1/2). I LOVE her hair long, and told the groomer I wanted to keep it that way. She did a beautiful job of trimming up her legs and shaping her head, and trimmed just enough all around to make her look neat and tidy. (Here's the post with her picture: http://forum.oes.org/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=42477) I'm also lucky that she already does Benson's half-brother and Mark's (CamVal1's) Zeke, so I knew she was good with sheepies. It sounds like you really want to emphasize that "less is more," especially at this first session. She can always take more off, but she can't put it back on. Good luck! |
| Benson is EXACTLY what I would like! I saw the pic when you posted it! The "less is more" statement is one I will use. I think I will say to her, I don't mind bringing him back tomorrow if you don't take enough off so please err on the side of caution. Pictures also a fantastic idea, maybe I will walk in there with a laptop and she will just decide letting me stay is a good idea! I wonder if they have ever done that. She sounded like the type that wouldn't mind but I'm wondering how the other groomers there would feel? Undoubtedly my dogs would be happier if I stayed and the whole job would go smoother and faster. Skye is going to be a breeze only panicked if there are a lot of strange dogs there but Sonny is going to be a frantic mess and I don't know what to expect of Steel. I very much thank you both for your help! |
| Many groomers will fall back to known cuts, Bichons, for example. So do take photos. Make sure you have dematted before she goes in, one mat and a groomer freaks out and announces only shaving will do. Don't allow it. Realize it will be a learning process for the groomer since sheepdogs are not common and our idea of properly groomed is probably too " messy" for basic groomers. Be open to compromise since you still have a pup but only up to a point. Remember the pups-->adult transformation is time for major mats and problems. And to get that Ice on Ice, is really helps! |
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