6 days ago
Woman Takes Poodle to the Groomer, No One Prepared for How She Returns
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A poodle's dramatic makeover has taken TikTok by storm, leaving viewers in awe of the transformation from scruffy pup to stylish showdog.
Dog mom Amber Hazelton (@ambacabranda) shared a now-viral video of her poodle's grooming journey. Before the trim, the pup had an unruly white curly mane that covered her eyes. Afterward, she sported a sleek and chic traditional poodle cut. The clip quickly resonated with viewers, racking up 222,000 views and 8,181 likes on TikTok.
"When the groomers did you dirty," Hazelton wrote in the text overlay of the video. "When the groomer rightly makes you look like a Parisian poodle," she added in the caption.
The transformation was so striking that many said the dog looked like a completely different breed. However, the attention also brought out some criticism regarding the poodle's matted fur before her makeover. Hazelton addressed this directly in the comments.
"Anybody who comments about the matting and that I need to brush it, will be deleted. This video is just a bit of fun. I loved the cut my groomer did, and she did the right thing. Monica was going through puppy stage and the hair USED TO BE hard to maintain. + she was a very crazy pup," she said.
Understanding Puppy Coats and Grooming Challenges
As the American Kennel Club explains, puppy coats differ significantly from adult dog fur. In many breeds, including poodles, the soft and fluffy puppy coat starts to shed and be replaced by a denser adult coat sometime between 4 and 6 months of age. This transitional period can lead to excessive tangling and matting if the coat isn't groomed regularly.
Grooming a standard poodle requires diligence and technique. According to the AKC, these dogs should be brushed at least once a week to prevent matting and should see a professional groomer every 4 to 6 weeks. Grooming involves bathing, trimming, and brushing—all of which are crucial to keeping a poodle healthy and comfortable.
For new puppy owners, PetMD recommends gradually introducing grooming in short sessions to help the pup become comfortable with the process. A puppy's first professional grooming is an important milestone, typically scheduled once the dog has received its vaccinations and has begun teething.
A stock image of a poodle at a groomer's.
A stock image of a poodle at a groomer's.
Victor Kochurko/iStock / Getty Images Plus
TikTok Reacts
The viral transformation prompted a wave of support and admiration from the TikTok community—especially among those familiar with the challenges of grooming poodles.
"Hahaha, as a dog groomer that groom is actually brilliant .. stunning doggie," said Tara Humphrey.
"That's not grooming. That's a whole new identity," another user commented.
"That's actually a nice trim even if the dog was matted. I do love a good poodle trim. Puppy coat is AWFUL, I hate it so much mats so easily and could have started coat change which is also awful, groomer did a good job," said Jess Clancy.
"She looks amazing! Puppy stage is horrendous, they just mat over night," echoed another user.
"My girl had her first adult groom this week. she looks like a different dog it's so funny!! I told my Step daughters we had a new dog," shared a fellow puppy parent.
Newsweek reached out to @ambacabranda for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.
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