Grooming - am I nuts?

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

Not true, I started grooming, because I hated the way they did my yorkies too. I hated that they kept them in cages and dried them there. The dogs I groom are pretty much yorkies, a few mixed breeds here and there, but all toy and small breeds.

Most groomers are pretty much all around groomers and don't get the details of each breed down.

No no I was just kidding.

[QuickSilver]

Originally Posted by kalina82

Most owners do want the hair on the nose and under the eyes trimmed. I'm a groomer and rarely do i get the request to leave the hair there. They want the eye area clean. This goes true with basically every dog that gets a hair cut. The eye area is always trimmed (with the exception of a few breeds and non hair cut dogs).

The people here on YT are very knowledgeable about yorkies and read about them all the time. We know what we want, what works, and what doesn't work. The population of YT makes up a extremely small percentage of yorkie owners however. Most people want a simple short pet cut, clean eyes, round head and round feet. At least that's how it is in my area.

At grooming school we were told to clean the eye area of all the dogs that need it unless otherwise instructed.

That is helpful, thank you. That's probably where the disconnect is - I told them to leave the face "as full as possible", meaning that I want them to comb the hair to fall naturally and maybe trim the ends a tiny little bit. I am not sure where "I am growing out his hair" went, but maybe I will just have to learn to do it myself -- I don't want to deal with worrying that the groomer might assume "long" means "leave the whiskers and cut everything else."

Is there not a standard term I can use? I tell them I want a "full puppy cut", which I understood to mean that all the hair on the face is long.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by kalina82

Most owners do want the hair on the nose and under the eyes trimmed. I'm a groomer and rarely do i get the request to leave the hair there. They want the eye area clean. This goes true with basically every dog that gets a hair cut. The eye area is always trimmed (with the exception of a few breeds and non hair cut dogs).

The people here on YT are very knowledgeable about yorkies and read about them all the time. We know what we want, what works, and what doesn't work. The population of YT makes up a extremely small percentage of yorkie owners however. Most people want a simple short pet cut, clean eyes, round head and round feet. At least that's how it is in my area.

At grooming school we were told to clean the eye area of all the dogs that need it unless otherwise instructed.

Yep! But, since I'm a show groomer, I usually leave the nose and under the eyes untouched. Explaining that eventually that hair grows and adds weight to the hair and it is part of the yorkie look. The only time I trim anything around the eyes is those tiny little hairs that grow towards it, causing the eye to water.

[kalina82]

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

That is helpful, thank you. That's probably where the disconnect is - I told them to leave the face "as full as possible", meaning that I want them to comb the hair to fall naturally and maybe trim the ends a tiny little bit. I am not sure where "I am growing out his hair" went, but maybe I will just have to learn to do it myself -- I don't want to deal with worrying that the groomer might assume "long" means "leave the whiskers and cut everything else."

Is there not a standard term I can use? I tell them I want a "full puppy cut", which I understood to mean that all the hair on the face is long.

a full puppy cut can mean anything LOL puppy cut usually means same length on body and legs, it has nothing to do with the head really. You need to specify how long on the body and legs you want it and you need to tell them what exactly you want done to the head. A full face just means that you want the hair all over the head left longer, it really has nothing to do with the eye area. If i were given those instructions, i'd trim the eye area too.

next time you take him to the groomer as for a full face and specifically tell them to not cut the hair under his eyes or on his nose. tell them you want to grow it out. hopefully that will work, but i can't guarantee it. LOL

[QuickSilver]

Originally Posted by kalina82

a full puppy cut can mean anything LOL puppy cut usually means same length on body and legs, it has nothing to do with the head really. You need to specify how long on the body and legs you want it and you need to tell them what exactly you want done to the head. A full face just means that you want the hair all over the head left longer, it really has nothing to do with the eye area. If i were given those instructions, i'd trim the eye area too.

next time you take him to the groomer as for a full face and specifically tell them to not cut the hair under his eyes or on his nose. tell them you want to grow it out. hopefully that will work, but i can't guarantee it. LOL

And then I'd be starting a thread complaining about YOU! No, seriously that is very helpful. I was really impressed with this place the first time I went, they cut the dogs over mirrors to get the underside right, and I didn't understand why they suddenly dong a bad job. It makes sense now - the first time I went in, I wrote out a full page of instructions with comments on each body part. I felt like that was overkill, so I was trying to simplify it. BACK to the novel-length instructions!

[kalina82]

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

And then I'd be starting a thread complaining about YOU! No, seriously that is very helpful. I was really impressed with this place the first time I went, they cut the dogs over mirrors to get the underside right, and I didn't understand why they suddenly dong a bad job. It makes sense now - the first time I went in, I wrote out a full page of instructions with comments on each body part. I felt like that was overkill, so I was trying to simplify it. BACK to the novel-length instructions!

There is this one dog that i do that comes with pages of instructions....with hand drawn pictures.... hahaha

seriously tho, if you like the rest of the haircut that they do just make sure to mention NOT to cut the eye area. If they still don't listen then i'd be finding a new groomer.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

And then I'd be starting a thread complaining about YOU! No, seriously that is very helpful. I was really impressed with this place the first time I went, they cut the dogs over mirrors to get the underside right, and I didn't understand why they suddenly dong a bad job. It makes sense now - the first time I went in, I wrote out a full page of instructions with comments on each body part. I felt like that was overkill, so I was trying to simplify it. BACK to the novel-length instructions!

Here's a thought, the next time you get your Thor groomed exactly like you like him. Take pictures from all angles; up close and distant shots. Take those pictures with you the next time he needs grooming.

When I left Texas, a few of my clients did this and wrote down what blades and types of scissors I used on each area of the body. I've been in contact with these clients and said what the did as worked perfectly in maintaining the cut/style they perferred.

[oopsmyhalofello]

Maybe you could write up a little description of how you want him cut, simply say a puppy cut.. leave all facial hair alone.. just trim up his beard. Adding in specifically to not cut the hair on the bridge of his nose or around his eyes. I don't think that its out of the question for you to provide specific instructions... and they will know they are giving him the cut you want. You can make copies and bring it with you every time

[mimimomo]

They should cut it the way you want it cut. I'm a groomer & I make sure I get all the details. If the customer forgets to mention a certain part of the body, I ask how they want it. I make sure I get what they want head to tail.

*Thor's mommy, why don't you call the grooming shop & complain or ask why this is happening? I would.

*oopsmyhalofello, very good suggestion.

[manolos mom]

Do you want Thors hair long or in a puppy cut? When I take mine to the groomers they just get ears,nails, sani and a trim. I pay 25 dollars per dog and it takes about one hour. Tell your groomer not to touch his face. All 4 of mine have long hair. If you want Thors hair long you will have to brush everyday. I use spray on conditioner. Good Luck to you, post some pics...Lissette

[IWAY]

Maybe this was already mentioned but why not go back and ask them to look in their records and see who groomed your baby to your satisfaction. Book an appointment with this person and go over with him/her exactly what you want. I agree, you shouldn't pay over and over again for a mediocre groom!
Something that I do is type in any special instructions, I & the owner sign, they get a copy and I keep one.
Good luck!

[ving]

I too, am a groomer.Whenever I get a complaint it is usually because I have been given vague instructions.If you told the groomer do not touch the face, or do not trim the bridge of nose and they did, then you have every right to question them.If you just told them to leave it full or as long as possible that is vague and leaves room for groomers discretion.Not all groomers are bad or hate yorkies.I love doing yorkies because they are so cute.The before and afters are such a contrast.I groomed one the other day where the husband brought the dog in and gave instructions to do what I thought but he wanted the hair OFF, he wanted his money's worth.I groomed his body about a half an inch all over then made a round head with no top knot.I found out from my husband that the wife got angry when the husband brought the dog home.The haircut was good just too short. Don't ever take your yorkie to the groomer and ask for a puppy cut.That is the most vague but over used term in grooming. If you ask for a puppy cut specify the length and face style.I would write specific instructions, make several copies so you can take it to the groomer every time. I love people that provide detailed,specific .unconfusing instuctions including every part of the body. It keeps me from wondering ,"what do the want here, or do they want top knot left or cut."If I did something you were unhappy with I would love for you to call me and discuss it so that I can fix it next time to keep you as customer. Hope this helps!

[IWAY]

Very good answer Ving
I'm not slamming owners here at all, but I do cringe when I get vague instructions or 2nd/3rd hand instuctions from family members or housekeepers

LOL- wouldn't it be great if we could reach in and grab that mental picture of the finished pet from the persons mind? Presto! No more dissapointed owners or frustrated groomers!

[kalina82]

Originally Posted by mimimomo

They should cut it the way you want it cut. I'm a groomer & I make sure I get all the details. If the customer forgets to mention a certain part of the body, I ask how they want it. I make sure I get what they want head to tail.

*Thor's mommy, why don't you call the grooming shop & complain or ask why this is happening? I would.

*oopsmyhalofello, very good suggestion.

Good point. At the place where i work the girl up front usually speaks with the people dropping off the dog because we have pretty regular clients that all want the same thing over and over again. If they want something different they are very good about letting her know. She used to groom too so she usually asks about all parts of the dog. If its a new client i always speak with them. I make sure to ask about length on body and legs, skirts, feet, tail, head, top knot, ears, and face. There are a lot of things to go over. And if either i or the girl up front misses something, she will call the owner to ask a question before i trim something they might not want trimmed.

[bailie]

i am also a groomer, and i agree with the girls above. i love the yorkie breed. the most beautiful dogs in the world. i have 2 furbabies. i no u only jokin that groomers hate yorkies .it far from the truth. we just not mind readers. its like breeders... there is great ones and terrible ones!!!! u just have to look up and find them. if u do decide to groom ur own furbabies make sure u learn from a fullly qualified groomer. it not only clippers used. there is more scissor work .