Communication with your Groomer

Jeannie

Super Moderator
After reading all the threads of people who have taken their newfs in for a trim and they get them back shaved or way too short I decided to make this sticky so people can know how to talk to their groomer. First off I want to post a link to my website on Communicating with your groomer

communicating with your groomer

Now when you go the groomer be sure to tell them exactly the length you want left on or how much you want taken off. Don't just say 'short'. Have the groomer repeat what you want before you leave. Never take for granted the groomer can read your mind because they cannot. I cannot stress enough on how you need to be very specific. If you take the dog in and the groomer does not review the type of groom you want then I would leave. They are not taking the time to find out exactly what you want. This is the main reason major mistakes can happen.

If your groomer is not familiar with newfs then you need to educate the groomer. Yes, some of these new 'breeds' need to be explained to me or a photo is great. You need to let the groomer know the undercoat needs to be removed and the guard hairs neatened but not trimmed short. Undercoat removal is the best way to help a newf stay cooler in the summer. Also they can tunnel out the belly with a 5, 7 or 10 blade trimming with the growth of hair not against (this is usually from the front to back). That really helps the dog stay cooler. Remember the higher the number the shorter the cut. If you dog has sensitive skin or a white belly (landseer) then a longer blade should be used.

Again specific instructions are very important with the groomer repeating back to you what you want.

When to expect a compensation: If your groomer does not give the groom you requested and he/she repeated back to you then I would say some sort of compensation is due. Now if the groomer says 'I didn't have choice because the dog was matted' that is not an excuse. The groomer should never change the type of groom without first consulting the owner. The owner needs to be the one to make any decisions on the type of groom their dog recieves. If the groomer and owner cannot come to an agreement the dog should not be groomed by that groomer. If I get in a matted dog I always advise the owner of the worst case cenerio. I'd rather them come back to more hair on their dog than less hair. Makes a customer much happier.

Now everyone can post what their suggestions of communicating with a groomer AND let's see some photos (and hear stories) of before and after with the wrong groom.
 
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Windancer

New member
I think it is very difficult to find a groomer for newfs...Jeannie, you are so right in everything you said...however, groomers like at Pets Mart don't want to take the time for a big dog...Shaving is easier.....or they say "You only paid for/we only do a bath and dry. I say ..if you find a good groomer for your newf, stick with them, and tip them well... It is a huge job,,,especially if not done regularly. Alot of people wait till the dog is a mess and they can't keep up with it...huge mistake. Getting undercoat out is a big advantage, so try to keep up with that..get the right tool...
 

twright1231

New member
Last month I realized the spring grooming of Boaz was just going to be too much for me. He seems late with both blowing his coat and the last bit of transition out of the puppy coat. I brush him regularly but he tolerates only about 20 minutes at a time. Also, I am amazed at the coat difference between brown Boaz and black Ty. I can get Ty fully brushed through in one 20 minute session. Boaz can take days, and then it's time to start again.

I took Boaz to the groomers at the vets office and wrote specific instructions on paper, and spent time verbally explaining what we wanted. We like his features (floof, feathers, etc) on the longer side, but still wanted the undercoat, feet, and personal area groomed clean, and appropriate for the summer. I thought - less trimming, this should work out for this groomer.

No. Undercoat and feet done well, but they didn't even touch his personal area because they ran out of time. They called me well before the close of business to say he was ready. I guess, at this place, you get a certain amount of time for a certain price, and that's it? I'll be shopping around. I think this place was a bit too corporate.

Jeannie, I haven't checked you link yet, but I will. Thanks.
 

victoria1140

Active member
I have one lady I use with Beau who is really good but I do like to try new people occasionally if there is a special offer. Recently Beau had a bath and a general back and underneath trim from a new groomers at a special offer price.

She did an ok job and at the special offer price I couldn't complain but he was still damp, his underneath cut needed thinning as very choppy . I found he was developing mats under his front legs by the evening and on deep grooming the hair I got out was amazing.

I will use my regular lady definetly as I would rather pay the extra cash and get him done right.
 

ardeagold

New member
I do all the combing and trimming myself, but I do take Cole to PetSmart to be bathed, sometimes. I clearly tell them (and write it on the paper they have you sign) that they're not to touch him with any scissors or clippers, nor do the ears or teeth or nails. And I tell them NO conditioner on the torso or head. It's okay on the chest and feathers and backs of rump, but that's it.

It's a bath, and blow dry (with comb out). Works well for me. Sometimes, even after 3 hrs, he's not dry, so I just finish him at home. They don't realize that he'll feel dry and then 30 minutes later the water oozes back out each hair follicle. It only takes another 20 minutes to really dry him.

They do exactly what I say, and I've never had a problem. But I sure wouldn't let them trim him. However, they DO have a section on their waiver that expressly asks about clippers.

He's already combed out thoroughly before he goes there. And has no mats or tangles anywhere, which they comment on every time. LOL Guess that's not common in their business. He still ends up coating their walls with hair, after the blow dry. Even if he's fully combed, blown, and in good condition before he goes.
 
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Acadia

New member
I do all the combing and trimming myself, but I do take Cole to PetSmart to be bathed, sometimes. I clearly tell them (and write it on the paper they have you sign) that they're not to touch him with any scissors or clippers, nor do the ears or teeth or nails. And I tell them NO conditioner on the torso or head. It's okay on the chest and feathers and backs of rump, but that's it.

It's a bath, and blow dry (with comb out). Works well for me. Sometimes, even after 3 hrs, he's not dry, so I just finish him at home. They don't realize that he'll feel dry and then 30 minutes later the water oozes back out each hair follicle. It only takes another 20 minutes to really dry him.

They do exactly what I say, and I've never had a problem. But I sure wouldn't let them trim him. However, they DO have a section on their waiver that expressly asks about clippers.

He's already combed out thoroughly before he goes there. And has no mats or tangles anywhere, which they comment on every time. LOL Guess that's not common in their business. He still ends up coating their walls with hair, after the blow dry. Even if he's fully combed, blown, and in good condition before he goes.

Donna - why no conditioner on the torso?
 

MamaSu

New member
Being a hair salon owner and operator for 30 yrs, I have a suggestion. Take two things with you; a picture, and a RULER! Rulers are cheap, buy a half dozen and take one with you every time. You'd be surprised how often people say "an inch" quarter inch, whatever, and when I ask them to show me with their fingers "an inch" I measure it and it's off, WAY OFF! If you say you want the coat seven inches, mark seven inches on the ruler and leave it. There are really polite ways to say this, you're just making sure you're both on the same page, not insulting anyone. "Short" is relative, just as "long" is. What 's short on your dog is VERY long compared to the last 20 dogs they just did. And take a picture of your dog's coat when it looks exactly the way you want it to look when the groomer is done. Hope this helps .
 
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