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.
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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