mad client over schnauzer skirt

[SudzyPups]

I groomed a schnauzer with a 4f on the legs and skirt. The previous instructions read that the owner didn't mind if the dog was short due to mats, and she was matted so using a 4f was generous. What I didn't know and what wasn't noted in her file was that she liked the skirt long. I asked her if she was pleased with the groom when I sent the dog home and she said yes he was beautiful. She was so upset but she didn't tell me because she didn't notice the short skirt until she was on her way home. So she called and complained to management. So, apparently she likes the legs short and the skirt long. I don't like that style and it isn't standard practice for me to leave a long skirt and short legs on a schnauzer. This dog was one of my before and after pics. Now looking back at the before picture I can see how the skirt was longer than the legs. If only I had noticed this before I started grooming him I would have avoided this mistake because I want my clients to be happy. Live and learn right? Does anyone else commonly leave a long skirt with short legs? I attached the pictures so you can see what I'm talking about.
What do you think?
Christy

[VIPgroomer]

If this wasn't noted in the file, and you didn't know the dog, then it was a mistake. Call the owner and let her know that you did not know that she liked a long skirt, but that this mistake will never happen again because you made note of it in the dogs file. It was not your fault, so don't be too upset.

I don't think I would have assumed she liked a long skirt based on that "before" picture. It should have been noted on the card.

[kwpgrooming]

Occasionally I have had a customer want the legs shorter than the skirt. I discourage it but what ever they want. I think it looks dumb. From the looks of the pictures she needs to get the dog groomed more often. His hair sure was grown out, and if he was matted then she has no legitimate complaint about the length of the skirt. It is not fair to the dog.

[jackson'smom]

Owners

It is amazing that owners who clearly demonstrate a lack of concern for their pet as evidenced by their deplorable conditions upon arrival are suddenly bothered by things of this nature. Clearly they are not going to brush the "skirt" to keep it nice. I am just getting into grooming dogs outside of my large family of pet lovers and I was shocked when some sweet old church ladies brought their 11 year old Shiz Tzu to me with five inches of top knot blinding him, face, legs, tail, chest matted beyond belief, two inches of paw fur yellowed with urine and feces trapped in the pads which were of course matted and toenails so long. I am sorry I have no picture to share, but I freaked out so bad and he smelled so aweful I just started washing him then used the clippers with the coat damp as recommended. They did not dare complain about him, however I have the luxury of refusing to work for any jerky people.

[Bow wow style]

IT will grow

The dog looks good, the skirt will grow, make a note on the card

[MydogMissy]

The client is always right. It's their dog.

[perrypooh]

'I am very sorry for the mistake on fluffys styling, I was not aware of your request for a longer skirt and as a result gave him a skirt that BALANCED with the rest of his trim. I have made a note of this for future reference'

Maybe a hint of sarcasm but it really looks like a nice balanced trim to me, a long skirt would look ridiculous (hate calling it a skirt on a schnauzer altogether, my customers don't question me luckily as most know I show my minis so they leave me to it - other breeds though it still happens lol!)

[odette]

Looks good, the skirt wasn't much longer from the pics, than it is now. Learned a good lesson and move on, if she's that picky she can brush the dog, or get it on a standing.

[nuk]

Sorry but it looks to me like you used the same blade over the entire dog. I would have been upset unless there were some major mats in there.

I've come to accept the short leg long skirt style now that i HAVE to do hula skirts. use a #4 on the hind legs and front legs. On the front including that part of the chest directly above the leg, the shoulder and elbow. Then i skim the skirt area to blend a lil. Take a 7 over the feet on front legs and from the hock down on back legs. then just scissor the skirt to blend from the back leg to the chest piece. it's really fast and after getting used to it doesn't look too bad, just different.

[rapuzzled]

I hate the look of it, but I do have several people that like it, so I've learned to live with it, lol. I guess I would just call her and apologize and tell her you would make a note on the file so that it didn't happen again. Not much you can do other than that...if there wasn't a note on the file you have no way of knowing she would want the skirt left.

[Debbiedogs]

Long "skirt" looks dumb

I think some people who like that have hangups about showing a dog's privates or something.

Your trim looks very nice. I disagree with nuk that it looks like you used the same blade all over. The body looks shorter than the legs and "skirt" in your after photo. Also, in the before photo, there are drastically short areas on the legs already! I don't know if the dog has skimpy coat or areas of hair were just cut out or chewed out already.

You did fine. If the owner dislikes it, she should still be reasonable about it. Hair grows.

[CurbsideCuties]

I totally agree with Debbiedogs! I would not leave a long shirt and do short legs... YUK! Your trim looks balanced and given what you had to work with the dog looks nice... I often do not comment on pics posted as I tend to nitpic.... but I think it looks good. How r u to know someone who has a matted dog with bald spot would be pissy about having a nice "balanced" clip?

[stewiedog]

Have her look at shnauzers on the computer and show her they don't have "skirts" to begin with. Westies don't, shnauzers don't airdales don't you could have her look at a lot of terriers.

Than tell her you wanted to give her dog a more proper/porptionate groom.

Sorry I am so over "****" with clients, and nit picking.

The dog was groomed well, it was happy, and well taken care of... it is just hair.

I haven't had any clients bring anything up... I am just sick of it after 17yrs.

[Helly]

[QUOTE=stewiedog;386820]Have her look at shnauzers on the computer and show her they don't have "skirts" to begin with. Westies don't, shnauzers don't airdales don't you could have her look at a lot of terriers. QUOTE]

Ummm, according the the WHWT Club of America if a Westie is clipped and not stripped they have "...a skirt that is well blended and has no obvious lines." So yes, Westies DO have a skirt.

[stewiedog]

[QUOTE=Helly;386858]

Have her look at shnauzers on the computer and show her they don't have "skirts" to begin with. Westies don't, shnauzers don't airdales don't you could have her look at a lot of terriers. QUOTE]

Ummm, according the the WHWT Club of America if a Westie is clipped and not stripped they have "...a skirt that is well blended and has no obvious lines." So yes, Westies DO have a skirt.

Sorry I was just in a ****** mood. Yes I was talking more of stripped westies, I know there is some skirting, but it isn't like we do clipped/pet westies.

Gosh I wish I were perfect LOL