Baker butchered

tofu pup said:
I am very sorry that you had this "surprise" when you picked him up. I think we have all had miscommunications; I once asked for a "bath, no trimming, no clipping, just a bath and dry" for the Cocker, and she came home with her feet trimmed to pencil-points. :confused2: It was a little odd, but I am quite sure that the groomer was just trying to be helpful and thorough (her trimmed feet certainly didn't soak up as much rainwater!). She grew her mop-feet back within a month, and life went on.

I think it's important to distinguish between a "good grooming" and "appropriate grooming". From what I can see in the picture, it does look like a very good grooming: the cut is even, there aren't any scissor-marks, the dog looks relaxed and happy. He's clean and neat. He hasn't been physically or mentally harmed. I don't doubt that this groomer is good at what she does.

The distinction is really that this style of grooming isn't appropriate for our breed (although again, I am sure that some Sheltie owners would be happy with it). Unfortunately, miscommunication and misunderstandings occur, and what one Sheltie owner thinks is a lovely cut will be devastating to another.

It really is up to us to be absolutely clear about the way we want our dogs groomed. I would suggest bringing in a photo of a dog (doesn't even necessarily have to be your dog) looking exactly the way you want your dog to look. (A photo from Sheltie Talk would do nicely.) Or, as I ended up doing, writing very clearly that all you want is a clean, dry dog with nothing removed! :smile2:

I can happily guarantee you that his coat will grow back and look lovely, and that Baker will be none the worse. Enjoy his first birthday, and don't let this get you too down.
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Note:

What a great idea, to bring a photo of a dog showing exactly the way you want your dog to look! I bring a photo from a magazine every time I get my hair cut, since I do not always get the same stylist.
 
Thanks all. I know it's hard to see in the photo, but this is not as nice and even as it looks. I have posted a couple of other pics on FB where you can see some of his chest is "choppy" and his feet are awful. I didn't post them here because I want to save space for when he's back to normal. :)

The woman that taught me to groom Trace has seen the pictures and, even though for health reasons she no longer has her business, she has offered to try to fix Baker as much as she can. She said she will even it out, tidy up his ears (which is what I originally requested) and try to "bring some balance" back to his body. I'm looking forward to visiting her again and getting a refresher on the ears - I used to do Trace's, but for the life of me don't know where to begin with Baker's. Maybe because they are smaller that I'm lost? Who knows...

And Baker gets told every day just how special (and handsome) he is. I just need to get hubby to quit calling him Butch! :rolleyes2:
 
Having seen the pictures, I think a lot can be done with some expertly handled thinning shears. He will look great again!
 
Thanks Cara - we have a 2:00 apt on Saturday.

I did reply to the groomer with a rather lengthy comment. But I tried to be polite. I did however disagree with her "everyday Sheltie" comment...
 
My mom has yet to find a groomer who is trained how to do sheltie grooming. the undone ears bug me! But she probably doesn't even know that.
 
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