I love a nicely groomed dog. This time of the year is so hard on labradoodles’ coats. Their wonderful fleece coat when met with water from snow, rain, or ice makes for a matted mess. It is almost impossible to keep the matts down unless you brush and dry the coat immediately after getting wet. Ladies, it is like our hair when we get hair sprayed hair wet… you get the picture, it is a hot mess.
I am trying different groomers out right now. I still love to recommend Sunni Darwish, groomer extraordanaire but she is very busy with so many doodle clients. For our new families, I would like to make a few recommendations:
1. The Paw Spaw on Michigan and 96th St across the street from McDonald’s. What a wonderful pet spa and doggie daycare. It is small and personable, very clean, and very reasonable. The prices are excellent. They recommend that you get your pet groomed every four weeks and they offer incentive pricing for you to keep a standing appointment. Mention my name and they will treat your pet to a free toe nail trim so you can try out their services and check out the spaw. 317-313-0459
2. Happy Dogs Pet Spa in downtown Carmel. It is so cute that you will want to check in! They also have a great boarding program and doggie daycare. I am so impressed. I do find that you pay more for their services but Callie was happy after her visit.
3. For a no-frills experience but a great groom, I also recommend Michelle at Petco on Michigan Rd and 106th St. I have followed Michelle to a few salons and I am impressed with her grooming skills, her love of the dogs, and attention to detail. Secretly, I wish she was at another salon as I like a bit more for my dogs but it is clean and she is fabulous. Go Michelle!
My next recommendation is to find a good groomer and get on their schedule. Grooming is more than making your dog look good, a matted dog is a dog in pain. Your groomer is caring for the largest organ on your pet: their skin.