Goldendoodles & Laberdoodles...

[k9srule]

We are grooming several of the ...doodle breeds now. Most of our clients want the curly coat when the groom is done. They are always long and matted and very hard to comb/brush out. They don't want them to look like a poodle but don't want to bring them in more often to keep that coat in check.Any ideas on these coats???

[Shei77]

We had 2 Lab-doodle and a Golden-doodle. The Lab was always a nightmare. He came in once every 3 mos and the people refused a groom of any kind. We got tired of takeing al day to dematt him. The last time he was in we had to strip him, was matted to the hilt from between his toes to his nose. We were going to charge 120 to dematt him and 60 to strip him. They went for the dematt. it took 2 groomers 30 mins to dematt 2 feet. Not worth it. We decided to call the owners to tell them that he was not tolerant to being dematted (by the by the owners were totle PITAs and idiots to boot) So we finally got the go ahead to strip him. He came off in sheets of matts. We thought he looked as good as he could get. The owners however were not happy but that was to be expected. I hope to god they do not come back.

The Golden we put on a weekly brush out scudule. This owner was good about it for about 2 mos. Then he needed to be groomed. Our most experanced and fastest did a longe (F duck on the body scissor in the legs I think) lamb cut on him. Again the owner said he looked like a Poodle. OK fine but he had shape and would be easerier to maintain. She has not come back yet but I'm not crying about it.

Moreal of my story... People don't seem to relize that 1/2 of Lab-Golden is Doodle as in POODLE! With a poodle coat. Even if you leave a round or teddy bear or schnauzer head on it to them it will still look like a poodle on the body. And they are idiots.

Thought on how deal with them: Find out What they want beside haveing there dog not look like a poodle. Get specifics on how short how they want them to look in general. "Just not like a poodle" is not specific enough. Show them pictures of other curly coated dogs and maybe a Puli and Komondor (cords look nothing like what people think a poodle would look like even if a poo can be corded) Couse theie dogs will be matted messes if they can't keep up the cuts and with the brushing and brushing and brushing and brushing......... Oh and if they just want it long explain what it will take to maintain that length: Once a week B&B. If it is matting in between TWICE a week B&B if they scoff at the price tell them to go somewere else or learn to take care of the coat or you will need to shave it down.

Sorry if I ramble but I have had to bad experences with Doodle people and ther non allergy proudicing dogs (wich is lies all lies) Aahem.

[pamperedpups]

Edited.

[sheilabgroomer]

Shei, I agree w/Doodle people being "special"....lol.... There are a lot of past posts on Doodles, and it is a subject that gets a groomer's dander up....haha. I think 95% of my Doodle people say "don't make him/her look like a poodle". Okay, what look are we going for then? A kangaroo?????? One day I will ask a customer that just to see the response....lol And they are not only Hypo allergenic, they are ALSO non shedding and they don't have gas and they don't ever get ear infections or need nails clipped and they live forever..........sorry I got on a tangent.....lol

[sheilabgroomer]

OOPS!!

I think I may have posted my last reply a few times by accident.

[mijothewonderdog]

I too have had bad experiences with doodle owners. They only want to groom them twice a ear and seem to be stingy about the prices. I now tend to quote a high price to weed out the cheapos.

[spanielcrazy]

OMG! Had a Goldendoodle the other day (been so lucky, haven't run across them till now) Standard poodle size, coat a nightmare cross between poodle and Soft Coated Wheaten, about 4 inches long, Arrrrgghhh! I wanted to cry...

Of course it was matted, actually the body was in good shape but the legs, head and neck were impossible. I was able to talk them into shave down/start over, ended up doing a #5 all over with an Airedale head (big matt on top of head, ears solid, cheeks matted, surprisingly not matted in beard!)

The dog would have looked cute with a 0 guide and a cockapoo head, maybe next time, we'll see if he comes back in a timely fashion....

[Shei77]

I've groomed many different doodles and actually enjoy them. One of my favorite customers at the shop I worked at previously was a HUGE-mongous Goldendoodle who came in every month even though he could have gone 6-8 weeks between appointments. To get the curl back into a coat after washing and brushing, spritz it with water and scrunch it. As Shei found out, it's very important to be very specific when trying to find out what the owners want (with ANY dog). Never assume you know what an owner means by saying they want the coat clipped short, or don't want their dog to look like a Poodle, etc.

Shei- Instead of looking at doodle owners as uneducated idiots who fell for a pet craze and don't know what they want or what they're talking about, try to think of them as any other pet owner who cares enough to bring their pet in to YOU for professional grooming. Most pet owners (doodle or no) will appreciate your understanding, compassion and guidance. I believe it is part of our job to help owners AND their pets even though sometimes it is considerably easier to pass them off and judge them.

Sorry I got into a tangent but both theas experecnes (and lack of sleep-Puppies) just let a BAD impression on me. When I worked at Pet.Something I had one owner actully listen to me about grooming her Laberdoodle. Only one out of 6 listen so Odds are against the next one to walk in our door. I have tried to educate owner's of doodles. It just Frushtrats the HECK out of me when they don't listen so I vented a bit. Ther was another thread That had some customer handling tips that I will find useful when the next Doodle Owner comes in.

[Shei77]

The dog would have looked cute with a 0 guide and a cockapoo head, maybe next time, we'll see if he comes back in a timely fashion....[/QUOTE]

What is a CockaPoo Head?

[Rebekah]

Books?

Do they have books on how to groom these kind of mix breeds? One of the doctors i work with has a goldendoodle and i have never seen one so I wouldn't have clue what to do with it? So far he hasn't called me. I'm hoping he can bring a picture in just so I can get a better idea what they look like and how they are suppose to look like.

Stephen Note: Check the PetGroomer.com bookstore.

[k9srule]

Well, gues what? My laberdoodle is coming in next Tues. He hasn't been in since the first part of Dec. I know what he will look like. I guess we are all in the same boat on this breed. My client let me watch her video she received when she bought her dog from Australia. It was informative but their demo dog laid down on the table, didn't wiggle, bite or anything! The video shows them line brushing, using baby powder and lots of patience.

Thanks everyone for replying.

[luckydog]

Hourly pricing really helps in situations like these. I had to giggle as I was reading Shei77's post--I was thinking--well it is half poodle before I even got to it. I also love the purebred poodle owner that don't want them to look like poodles--buy a curly-coated retriever or a bichon then. Jeez

[Kim in SD]

Hypoallergenic

I live in San Diego, and for some reason we have a lot of poos! Of all kind. I love the labradoodles and goldenpoos!! Sorry, but I do. Yes, there are books and even magazines about this designer breed. I think they look really cool, and as most have said hypo allergenic. That's the main reason they have risen in popularity. I do several. If they come in matted, I shave them, do a short terrier face, and educate, recommend books on the breed, & work from there.
I do one thats a golden color and the owner gets the lion cut. Sooo cool.

[Shei77]

I live in San Diego, and for some reason we have a lot of poos! Of all kind. I love the labradoodles and goldenpoos!! Sorry, but I do. Yes, there are books and even magazines about this designer breed. I think they look really cool, and as most have said hypo allergenic. That's the main reason they have risen in popularity. I do several. If they come in matted, I shave them, do a short terrier face, and educate, recommend books on the breed, & work from there.
I do one thats a golden color and the owner gets the lion cut. Sooo cool.

Kim- oh I would love to see a pic of your 'Doodle with a lion cut. I wouldn't think to do one in a lion.

In genral dose any body have pics of there 'Doodle cuts that they liked and could share? Even if the owner hated it?

[k2p1e]

I do a doodle (lab x poodle??? who knows) anyways, I wish they would let me do the head shorter but they always complain, but I keep going dhorter with each visit, hoping they on't notice and we can get a happy medium.

Mind you this is one week out of school and in my own home with not too much equipment, I know I still have far to go...