The Zim Family Cocker Spaniel Forum

As some of you may know, for the past three and half months I've been growing out Indy's back, aiming for a natural back. Well it had finally begun to look really great, I had figured out how to transition the neck and how to shave the head (thanks Julie!) and his back was just starting to flow into his skirt, I figured another month and I would be golden! My parents decided to bring Duncan to our former groomer (and breeder) and in the process we decided to get Indy groomed as well. He didn't need it but it couldn't hurt for her to fix my mistakes! Last night after their grooming we picked them up, Duncan's back nice and long and natural, and Indy's? Shaved! I am still fuming! Am I overreacting? What do you guys think? For the record she missed shaving several spots on both of their necks and ears.
-Emma

Umm... No. You are NOT overreaccting. I would be livid. Neither one of my girls have ever had their natural back cut. And if they ever did... I dont feel I could be held responsible for my actions.
I know it's just hair, and it will grow back, but....

Did the groomer know you were growing Indy's back out? Was it mentioned when they were dropped off?

Not only did she know, but we have been discussing different stripping knife, the way to groom a natural back and she has been giving me advice on that. She clearly knew. My best guess is that it was a lapse, but in that case shouldn't she have said something? The odd part is the groomer did not shave Duncan's back, who also has a natural back, and did a beautiful job on the transitions and everything but... I'm still irked.

I personally think you should have called her and reminded her of what you wanted in the groom. If I change from my normal grooming requests, I always write a 3x5 card and give it to the front desk when I check my dogs in.

Deborah, thank you for your opinion. Since she grooms out of her home I reminded the one and only groomer (her) when we dropped them off. She nodded agreement and took them both into her garage and yet Indy's back was still shaved, but the pup's was not, which leads me to believe it was force of habit that she shaved. Ah, well it will grow.

I would be fuming as well

I'd be pretty miffed too, it will take a while now to get back to the natural stage again. If she had a temporary lapse and shaved it, which can happen to anyone, she should at least have been very very apologetic!

Glad I am not the only one who gets really upset about a bad grooming. My groomer now is great, but when I first got Theo we went to a new groomer each month and a half for the first year because I just couldn't find anyone that did it properly. They either missed spots that should have been cut closer or messed up his nails (a few times whole nails were not dremeled and another time a groomer had cut two of them to the quick! ). I used to get really upset about it. The worst was the time that I took him to a woman near my house who had been recommended to me by several people (for what reason, I still don't know) and she gave my beautiful baby cocker a POODLE CUT!

I read your post... and I thought about how I would feel if this happened to Chessie. Mad doesn't begin to express how I'd feel ... it would bring me to tears. I understand making a mistake and yes, it's only hair... but you were clear about your expectations and she was wrong. No ~ I don't think you overreacted.

I would be very mad and get a refund for the groom.