A Poodle Makeover

This was my makeover challenge today.

It was this Poodles first time at our shop.

When I walked into the lobby to get him, you would think that he was going to eat me alive.

He took one look at me and started barking.

I said Hi to him and reached down to let him sniff my hand and he high tailed it behind his owners legs...still barking. :)

I took his leash from his owner, turned him around so that his head was away from me and his butt was facing me.

I slowly brought my hand around his side to under his belly while holding his head away from me, just in case he tried to fear bite.

He stiffened up as soon as I touched him, but I talked to him as I picked him up telling him that he was okay.

As soon as I had him against my body, he relaxed considerably, even though he was still shaking a little.

 I will say that the second I saw him my first thought was; 'Oh please let this owner not be in denial about her dog being  matted.'

The owner was very nice.

She knew he was matted.

She had been sick and unable to groom her dog.

The family had also been bathing the dog.

His owner told me to do whatever I needed to to get him looking good again.

Hmmm, I think that that is a groomers simple pleasure...an owner that tells you to do whatever you have to to help their dog look and feel better. :)

Anyway, what blade do you think that I had to use on this matted little guy?

He was very matted around his shoulders, neck, chest, and hips.

A little matted everywhere else.

 I put him straight in the tub.

I washed and creme rinsed him well.

Then I HVed some of the mats out, and the rest of the large mats away from the skin.

He didn't want any part of the HV used on his head.

So I dried his head and face with the hand dryer.

Then I fluffed up the rest of his body.

I wasn't worried about trying to get the mats out.

I fluffed up the rest of coat.

What blade do you think that I can get through him now?

I was able to get a #3F blade safely through his coat.

That little, scared, barking dog from the lobby turned out to be a really sweet little dog.

We were in the home stretch when he decided that he needed a little nap.

I didn't mind.

It makes you feel good when you can take a dog from being so scared, to this relaxed, just in the short time that you groom them.

He napped for all of 20 seconds, until something out the window caught his attention.

Then I finished him.

The makeover was complete.

There was a handsome looking little guy hiding under all of that curly, matted hair. :)

Look at that grin.

He is actually grinning.

This is why I love what I do!!!

Happy Grooming, MFF