Rocky update and some venting!

texasheathers · 03-22-2011, 02:04 PM

Hey guys! I haven't been reading or posting for a while! But, I wanted to say hi and tell you guys we are still doing great with Rocky - and to vent a little bit about something that only my doodle friends will understand!

First off - here's a new picture of Rocky - we took him to Robbers Cave State Park in Oklahoma last week and we had a fabulous time. He is quite the traveler! We drove to my in-laws in Arkansas first - and with three kids and a dog we stopped a lot so it took us about 10 hours. Then, the next day we headed to the state park in Oklahoma - another 2 hours. Rocky was so much fun to have with us and he loved hiking on the cliffs and being with all of us. We had a duplex with some friends and he had five kids to play with and plenty of people to love on him between our friends and my husbands family. Rocky is very social so I think he enjoyed it. The only thing that was a drawback is that he had to be on a leash the entire time we were outside anywhere - and we discovered that Rocky does not like to poop when he's got an audience. So - we had to get really creative to give him some privacy! He got a new bandana (his favorite accessory) with Robbers Cave State park symbols and trail map printed on it while we were there!

On a side note - I have to vent for a minute. A new groomer opened up nearby that was for small dogs. My mom has a Yorkie (Rocky's best friend) and my mom tried her out last week and I went with her to pick up TeeJay when he was done. She had two poodles in the front of the shop with her. The groomer is going to have a new person coming in once a week to do large dogs and so I told her about Rocky. She immediately got a bit of an attitude - asked me if I had ever heard about the man who "invented" the labradoodle breed and how he says he wishes he had never done it - and asked me if mine sheds (he does). I said yes, he does - but that was typical as he is a first generation Standard Poodle/Lab mix... and then she made a comment and asked me if I knew that they were a mixed breed. I replied that I had done quite a bit of research before we got our dog and I was aware of just about everything related to labradoodles - including that there were irresponsible breeders and ownders out there. She asked me what his coat looked like - and I couldn't think of the term to describe it and I finally pointed at one of her poodles who had an identical coat to Rocky and told her that was how he looked when he was freshly bathed and brushed. She didn't comment on that. It was this polite, but tense conversation!

Ahh! SO - then on her FB page she posted a picture of my moms dog on her grooming FB page - and I commented under it and she friended me on Facebook with her other page about her poodles. Her poodles are pretty - and so I in turn commented on how beautiful they are... even though she had kind of offended me when I first met her... I'm a pretty easy going person and I WANT to like her - so I'm ready to give it another chance.

SO - then today she posted a bunch of cartoon videos about the problems groomers deal with and I made the mistake of watching one of them and it was a caricature of a golden doodle owner who did not properly take care of their dog. The dog was poorly socialized - groomed only once a year - matted coat - and the cartoon owner wanted it to look like some pictures she'd brought in. I mean, I know that some owners are like that - but we aren't ALL like that you know??

I haven't found a groomer we just love for Rocky. There is one very close to my house that works out of their own home. I talked to the lady who did the grooming on the phone for quite a bit before taking Rocky to her and we really clicked, but when I brought him in - I didn't get to meet her personally. The place is not fancy at all - but when I dropped Rocky off and picked him up, he was happy and the kid at the front who took him and was there when I picked him up was really cool and thought Rocky was a really awesome dog ... and of course since I also think he is - lol - I liked that. But, the general experience there wasn't fabulous....so I was kind of hoping this new groomer was going to be someone I was going to click with and I guess I'm just dissapointed because it seems she's got an issue with doodles.

I want so badly to defend myself and tell her about our dog - how we got him - and that we take very good care of him and he is well socialized, loves to be groomed and he is kept brushed and we take care of any mats we find immediately - and in the entire time we have had him he has only had a mat in that thick ruff on the back of his neck that we carefully brushed it out a piece at a time and now we are extra dilligent with that area of his fur! But, on the other hand I don't really want to be defending myself or doodles to someone anyway.

Sigh. Anyway. I'm annoyed. Our Rocky is so good and sweet. I can't stand anyone being negative about him. I guess I should try to not take it personally but it's so hard!!

Heather

**lindamarie** · 03-22-2011, 03:53 PM

Heather,
It's not an unusual thing for people to have this TUDE toward doodles. You could search the forum and find stories about this.
I have heard of the guy who "made" the doodle and wished he hadn't. Some people said he just grew senile because there is no reason for him to have developed this dislike toward them. He created a beautiful dog and now is against them.

I wouldn't take this groomer personally, because she is obviously one of "those" who believe doodles are trashy dogs.
She probably doesn't know how to cut them properly either. Bogart would NOT be seeing her.
I'm not quite sure what I would do in your situation except to maybe post pictures of GORGEOUS Rocky and tell wonderful things about him on HER wall.

Yep! There has been an attitude by some people. I haven't been on the other end of this, thank goodness, because it would really tick me off!

Bill C · 03-22-2011, 06:49 PM

Hi Heather - Rocky is beautiful! Thanks for sharing the pic. I'm at a point in my life (perhaps it comes with age) where I don't tolerate rude people. I'm a nice guy - very understanding of other's attitudes, but when someone in public service offends me I tend to take action. I'd report that groomer in a letter to the owner/manager. No excuse for that behavior. I've watched our groomer (for our golden) make every dog and every owner feel special, and that's the way it should be.
Our Doodle - Murphy, is now 7 months old, and looks kind of like a sheep

Time for some grooming, and I'll be taking her to the same groomer who does our golden.
Good luck finding a groomer you like.
Bill

deepnite10 · 03-22-2011, 07:01 PM

OK..im a dude and i have no problems saying all the wrong things at the right time..

if you would post for me..All dogs were at one point were a mixed breed..mixed breeds *hybrids* come about when there is a need to design a dog to meet a particular need when none currently exist..

if i was Wally..id also, be upset with the proliferation of unethicals breeders..just the same as there s many poor breeders of of any other
dog breed..

BTW..i can t stand those pom pom cuts on poodles..i bet most poodle owners don t even know the orgin of those cuts..

*is my foot far enough in my mouth yet*?

texasheathers · 03-22-2011, 07:14 PM

Thanks y'all! I am definitely NOT using her as a groomer. She's also the owner of the place so there is no one to report her too - lol.

At least the other groomer that lives around the corner from me likes Rocky - and the lady there is very open to looking at doodle pictures and info on grooming doodles that I bring her. She told me up front on the phone that she had never done a doodle but she was looking forward to meeting him - and she would appreciate anything I wanted to bring in to show how I wanted him groomed. It might not be a very fancy or professional place but at least they seem to love my dog and are open and welcoming!

I think I'm going to have him groomed at the old place and bring her that form from IDog to show her how to groom him and then post picturs of him all fancy on my Facebook and tag the mean groomer lady from the new place on all of them!

I was looking at pictures of freshly groomed labradoodles and it made me realize Rocky is looking a little raggedy. He's not matted so I don't really notice that much - lol - he's just Rocky. We bathe him and keep him brushed - so he just looks like himself to me... he was last professionally groomed in December - but only face, paws, privates....

He's the most down to earth sweetest dog - and I will be honest - I have not been a "dog person" in the past and this is the first dog that I've owned since I was umm... 12 and now I'm 36!! Rocky was just love at first sight for me.

texasheathers · 03-22-2011, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deepnite10

BTW..i can t stand those pom pom cuts on poodles..i bet most poodle owners don t even know the orgin of those cuts..

*is my foot far enough in my mouth yet*?

Well you'd LOVE this lady then - her poodles are dyed PINK and lime green!!!!

deepnite10 · 03-22-2011, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texasheathers

Well you'd LOVE this lady then - her poodles are dyed PINK and lime green!!!!

i keep wondering why people would dress their dogs to look
like Easter Eggs..

if i had to lay down a bet..the original breeder of poodles would
also have many regrets..

Taekwondodo · 03-31-2011, 05:07 AM

I read that the Doodle creator doesn't actually regret breeding the dogs themselves but hates the fact they have become so popular so as to encourage unscrupulous breeders.

Just my two cents...

**lindamarie** · 03-31-2011, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taekwondodo

I read that the Doodle creator doesn't actually regret breeding the dogs themselves but hates the fact they have become so popular so as to encourage unscrupulous breeders.

Just my two cents...

I FINALLY found the article on WHY Wally Conron is disappointed in being the creator of the Labradoodle. Interesting!
Regrets? They've had a few | smh.com.au

It's not with the dogs themselves but with BBB and breeders not testing for allergies.

texasheathers · 04-16-2011, 08:32 PM

Thank you SO much for posting that article! I'm going to have to Facebok it - lol!!

Heather

GiGi&CeCe · 04-17-2011, 02:25 PM

I just have to comment about people's attitudes toward doodles. My CeCe, labradoodle, and I recently signed up for an obedience class at the local kennel club. Now I know that they are all about Pure Bred dogs but the class is open to everyone so we decided to join. When asked what breed of dog I would be bringing there were raised eyebrows and snickering. I almost walked out but decided that I would bring my beautiful puppy and just show them what wonderful dogs labradoodles are! I have no doubt that she will be the smartest, prettiest puppy in the class and we will bring down the brows and silence the snickering. CeCe looks a lot like Rocky, by the way, and is six months old. We will let you know how the class goes and how the labradoodle steals the show!

Lucky Me · 04-18-2011, 01:56 AM

Hi Heather,
On what to tell the NICE groomer that wants to learn.....
Youtube has some wonderful instructional videos! Find one with the look that you want and send her the instructional/how to link!
Here are a couple....

This one shows a beautifully groomed LD-

YouTube - labradoodle

How to do a face-

YouTube - Super Styling Session Doodle Grooming Tips

This one is the first of many videos that starts with proper brushing and goes on to grooming....a series of about 5 videos I think.....

YouTube - Grooming Sully, part one

There is lots of grooming info on here!!
Good luck!!

03-22-2011, 02:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
texasheathers Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Crosby, TX Posts: 42	Rocky update and some venting! Hey guys! I haven't been reading or posting for a while! But, I wanted to say hi and tell you guys we are still doing great with Rocky - and to vent a little bit about something that only my doodle friends will understand! First off - here's a new picture of Rocky - we took him to Robbers Cave State Park in Oklahoma last week and we had a fabulous time. He is quite the traveler! We drove to my in-laws in Arkansas first - and with three kids and a dog we stopped a lot so it took us about 10 hours. Then, the next day we headed to the state park in Oklahoma - another 2 hours. Rocky was so much fun to have with us and he loved hiking on the cliffs and being with all of us. We had a duplex with some friends and he had five kids to play with and plenty of people to love on him between our friends and my husbands family. Rocky is very social so I think he enjoyed it. The only thing that was a drawback is that he had to be on a leash the entire time we were outside anywhere - and we discovered that Rocky does not like to poop when he's got an audience. So - we had to get really creative to give him some privacy! He got a new bandana (his favorite accessory) with Robbers Cave State park symbols and trail map printed on it while we were there! On a side note - I have to vent for a minute. A new groomer opened up nearby that was for small dogs. My mom has a Yorkie (Rocky's best friend) and my mom tried her out last week and I went with her to pick up TeeJay when he was done. She had two poodles in the front of the shop with her. The groomer is going to have a new person coming in once a week to do large dogs and so I told her about Rocky. She immediately got a bit of an attitude - asked me if I had ever heard about the man who "invented" the labradoodle breed and how he says he wishes he had never done it - and asked me if mine sheds (he does). I said yes, he does - but that was typical as he is a first generation Standard Poodle/Lab mix... and then she made a comment and asked me if I knew that they were a mixed breed. I replied that I had done quite a bit of research before we got our dog and I was aware of just about everything related to labradoodles - including that there were irresponsible breeders and ownders out there. She asked me what his coat looked like - and I couldn't think of the term to describe it and I finally pointed at one of her poodles who had an identical coat to Rocky and told her that was how he looked when he was freshly bathed and brushed. She didn't comment on that. It was this polite, but tense conversation! Ahh! SO - then on her FB page she posted a picture of my moms dog on her grooming FB page - and I commented under it and she friended me on Facebook with her other page about her poodles. Her poodles are pretty - and so I in turn commented on how beautiful they are... even though she had kind of offended me when I first met her... I'm a pretty easy going person and I WANT to like her - so I'm ready to give it another chance. SO - then today she posted a bunch of cartoon videos about the problems groomers deal with and I made the mistake of watching one of them and it was a caricature of a golden doodle owner who did not properly take care of their dog. The dog was poorly socialized - groomed only once a year - matted coat - and the cartoon owner wanted it to look like some pictures she'd brought in. I mean, I know that some owners are like that - but we aren't ALL like that you know?? I haven't found a groomer we just love for Rocky. There is one very close to my house that works out of their own home. I talked to the lady who did the grooming on the phone for quite a bit before taking Rocky to her and we really clicked, but when I brought him in - I didn't get to meet her personally. The place is not fancy at all - but when I dropped Rocky off and picked him up, he was happy and the kid at the front who took him and was there when I picked him up was really cool and thought Rocky was a really awesome dog ... and of course since I also think he is - lol - I liked that. But, the general experience there wasn't fabulous....so I was kind of hoping this new groomer was going to be someone I was going to click with and I guess I'm just dissapointed because it seems she's got an issue with doodles. I want so badly to defend myself and tell her about our dog - how we got him - and that we take very good care of him and he is well socialized, loves to be groomed and he is kept brushed and we take care of any mats we find immediately - and in the entire time we have had him he has only had a mat in that thick ruff on the back of his neck that we carefully brushed it out a piece at a time and now we are extra dilligent with that area of his fur! But, on the other hand I don't really want to be defending myself or doodles to someone anyway. Sigh. Anyway. I'm annoyed. Our Rocky is so good and sweet. I can't stand anyone being negative about him. I guess I should try to not take it personally but it's so hard!! Heather

03-22-2011, 03:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
lindamarie Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Birmingham, Michigan Posts: 6,171	Heather, It's not an unusual thing for people to have this TUDE toward doodles. You could search the forum and find stories about this. I have heard of the guy who "made" the doodle and wished he hadn't. Some people said he just grew senile because there is no reason for him to have developed this dislike toward them. He created a beautiful dog and now is against them. I wouldn't take this groomer personally, because she is obviously one of "those" who believe doodles are trashy dogs. She probably doesn't know how to cut them properly either. Bogart would NOT be seeing her. I'm not quite sure what I would do in your situation except to maybe post pictures of GORGEOUS Rocky and tell wonderful things about him on HER wall. Yep! There has been an attitude by some people. I haven't been on the other end of this, thank goodness, because it would really tick me off! __________________ Linda & Bogart Dogs=Unconditional love "We have it all! Just like Bogie & Bacall!"

03-31-2011, 05:07 AM	#8 (permalink)
Taekwondodo Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Dunbar, Scotland Posts: 50	I read that the Doodle creator doesn't actually regret breeding the dogs themselves but hates the fact they have become so popular so as to encourage unscrupulous breeders. Just my two cents... __________________ The cure for all ills, a puppy sleeping in your lap...

03-22-2011, 06:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
Bill C Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Eastern PA - North Of Philly Posts: 53	Hi Heather - Rocky is beautiful! Thanks for sharing the pic. I'm at a point in my life (perhaps it comes with age) where I don't tolerate rude people. I'm a nice guy - very understanding of other's attitudes, but when someone in public service offends me I tend to take action. I'd report that groomer in a letter to the owner/manager. No excuse for that behavior. I've watched our groomer (for our golden) make every dog and every owner feel special, and that's the way it should be. Our Doodle - Murphy, is now 7 months old, and looks kind of like a sheep Time for some grooming, and I'll be taking her to the same groomer who does our golden. Good luck finding a groomer you like. Bill

03-22-2011, 07:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
deepnite10 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Norcal Posts: 1,360	OK..im a dude and i have no problems saying all the wrong things at the right time.. if you would post for me..All dogs were at one point were a mixed breed..mixed breeds hybrids come about when there is a need to design a dog to meet a particular need when none currently exist.. if i was Wally..id also, be upset with the proliferation of unethicals breeders..just the same as there s many poor breeders of of any other dog breed.. BTW..i can t stand those pom pom cuts on poodles..i bet most poodle owners don t even know the orgin of those cuts.. is my foot far enough in my mouth yet?

03-22-2011, 07:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
texasheathers Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Crosby, TX Posts: 42	Thanks y'all! I am definitely NOT using her as a groomer. She's also the owner of the place so there is no one to report her too - lol. At least the other groomer that lives around the corner from me likes Rocky - and the lady there is very open to looking at doodle pictures and info on grooming doodles that I bring her. She told me up front on the phone that she had never done a doodle but she was looking forward to meeting him - and she would appreciate anything I wanted to bring in to show how I wanted him groomed. It might not be a very fancy or professional place but at least they seem to love my dog and are open and welcoming! I think I'm going to have him groomed at the old place and bring her that form from IDog to show her how to groom him and then post picturs of him all fancy on my Facebook and tag the mean groomer lady from the new place on all of them! I was looking at pictures of freshly groomed labradoodles and it made me realize Rocky is looking a little raggedy. He's not matted so I don't really notice that much - lol - he's just Rocky. We bathe him and keep him brushed - so he just looks like himself to me... he was last professionally groomed in December - but only face, paws, privates.... He's the most down to earth sweetest dog - and I will be honest - I have not been a "dog person" in the past and this is the first dog that I've owned since I was umm... 12 and now I'm 36!! Rocky was just love at first sight for me.

04-16-2011, 08:32 PM	#10 (permalink)
texasheathers Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Crosby, TX Posts: 42	Thank you SO much for posting that article! I'm going to have to Facebok it - lol!! Heather

04-17-2011, 02:25 PM	#11 (permalink)
GiGi&CeCe Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New Mexico Posts: 56	I just have to comment about people's attitudes toward doodles. My CeCe, labradoodle, and I recently signed up for an obedience class at the local kennel club. Now I know that they are all about Pure Bred dogs but the class is open to everyone so we decided to join. When asked what breed of dog I would be bringing there were raised eyebrows and snickering. I almost walked out but decided that I would bring my beautiful puppy and just show them what wonderful dogs labradoodles are! I have no doubt that she will be the smartest, prettiest puppy in the class and we will bring down the brows and silence the snickering. CeCe looks a lot like Rocky, by the way, and is six months old. We will let you know how the class goes and how the labradoodle steals the show!

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