switching groomers

Question
QUESTION: I need some advice on whether I should switch my groomer.  I have a 1 yr old mini goldendoodle.  I've had the same groomer from the beginning.  She usually does a pretty good job (I've never been "wowed" after a cut) She usually cuts her shorter on the body and longer in the face to prevent matting.  Sometimes I feel her face is a little "poofy" so this time I asked to cut it a little shorter, but still longer than the body. And stressed I didn't want a poodle cut. When I first saw her I was really upset - they cut her down to almost shaved on her entire face and even the top of her head.  She looks like a clown.  There are a couple reasons I'm considering this. The groomer's personality is a little hard to read and I don't feel like I can really talk to her, because she always seems to be in a hurry and maybe stressed, which might lead to some of the issues, however I know she is good to my dog, which is scary when switching groomers.  Also she runs a small school there and I believe before she's always done it.  This time I'm pretty sure it was a student because she had really long hair she missed under her armpit area on her front legs, she had a part under her eye that is almost shaved to the skin and a little red where she cut it shorter than the rest and the entire cut looks a little uneven in places. It's too short to even do anything with now. I don't know if I should switch groomers, and I'm worried about this being hard on my dog, or if this even warrents switching.  I don't know if I should give her one more chance - I surely want to make sure it is the owner that is doing the grooming, but I don't want to offend them. I didn't realize when I first took her there that she had students. I always assumed it would be the owner doing the grooming. I wonder if I could find someone that is easier to talk to if I would be happier with my grooming experience.

ANSWER: Hi Heather,
yours is a very legitimate question and well thought out. I have mixed feelings as to whether you should continue with this person.
If this is a school, she should have made it very clear she was teaching and should have had you sign a release to let a student touch your dog. I learned at a well known school who charged for students working on local dogs but you knew going in there that's what you were getting and paid accordingly (they weren't even that much less).  Personally I would never take my dog to one of those places after having been taught at one. Poor dogs - you can't imagine how inept some students are and the disasters that can happen so you get what you pay for. BUT you should be made aware of that.
Goldendoodle's are notorious for their incredibly fine and curly hair that is hard to manage when you know how to, let alone when you don't. Matting for a novice usually means chopping it or shaving it off. Brush burn if an unskilled groomer tries that route- even skilled groomers if the owner insists not to cut may end up with some brush burn so keeping a Doodle short is the better part of valor for all if you are not having the dog groomed at least bi-weekly.
My biggest problem with your situation is your lack of ability to talk to the groomer and her lack of being forthright with you about just who is grooming your dog. She is responsible for going over the student work and correcting it before it leaves the shop as well.  If she is too stressed and not doing these things and you can't talk to her then by all means change now before your dog has an experience it won't forget - not due to her but maybe a student.
I don't know what she charges but it should be less if a student is grooming because you  are providing the body for practice and presumably if this is a school she is also charging the students for the instruction as well.
You need to tell her your concerns and if you still walk away feeling unsatisfied then trust your intuition and keep walking. Always be your dogs advocate, it depends on you to protect it.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank You so much for your very detailed and knowledgable advice.  You have made me feel much better about the situation.  If it isn't too much bother, do you have an opinion on whether it would be stressful for her to switch.  She is VERY social and loves everyone (and everyone loves her)the groomer has said she is very good, so I'm hoping she wouldn't be too scared going to a new place, my main concern is for this to not be negative for her. Thank You so much!

Answer
I think you can switch without any trauma if she is an outgoing, sociable dog. Just make sure you can develop the kind of relationship with your groomer that will make you all happy.
As you now know, you have got what is considered to be a high maintenance dog and it will be much better for all involved if you understand that groomers really appreciate the consistant and educated client that lets them do what they do best. Better to err on the excessive side of grooming than the oops I forgot to make the appointment side. Make standing appointments and live by them. Your dog will never have a problem that way and you and your gromer will feel good about about the care. Trust and co-operation are the hallmarks of a good working relationship in this business. Like child care, it behooves you to make it your responsibility to do your due diligence.
good luck!