Have you ever been to the salon for a haircut and come away unhappy with the result because you weren't quite able to make the stylist understand what you wanted? Consider how much more difficult it can be for the professional groomer to give your best friend the perfect "do." Sparky can't offer feedback during the process to let his stylist know if the length and style are what his owner had in mind!

Good communication is the key to having a successful relationship with your pet's professional groomer, says Val Penstone, internationally-recognized stylist and Director of Grooming for Best Friends Pet Care. "As pet owners, we all have different needs and expectations about our dog's rooming. We also have different perceptions of what certain styling words mean. Those differences in understanding can lead to unhappy results."

Ensuring that your pet is groomed just the way you want it done requires a little time and preparation, says Penstone, who offers the following recommendations for working with your groomer.

Take time to talk with your groomer. Unless your pet is a regular and frequent client with a well-established file, don't expect the groomer to know what you want. If it's Sparky's first visit with a new groomer, schedule your drop off for a time of day when the groomer can spend time with you discussing your pet's needs and your preferences.

Be specific about your expectations. If you want your pet's hair cut to a certain length, say so. It's not enough to ask for 'a short cut' -- to some people that means two inches of hair; while to others a half-inch is too long.

Look at the book. A quality grooming shop will have a book illustrating a variety of styles and lengths. Find the ones that are closest to what you have in mind and show them to the groomer.

Consider your lifestyle. That fancy show cut may look appealing in the book, but are you prepared for the at-home grooming routine needed to maintain it? A good groomer can help you decide on an appropriate style and length.

Consider your pet. The behavior and temperament of a dog is an important factor in deciding on a style. Extravagant styles are not suitable for fidgety dogs. Let your groomer know upfront whether your pet will be cooperative or a challenge.

Be realistic. If your pet has not been brushed regularly at home and the hair is badly matted, you may have to compromise. Sometimes it's impossible to save a matted coat. Your groomer can advise you if the humane approach is to clip underneath the matts and wait for it to grow back in before trying a new style.

Be informed. Quality dog grooming is complex and time consuming. While the human stylist can complete three to four haircuts in an hour, the dog groomer may work for two or more hours on a single dog! It generally takes at least an hour to wash and brush the dog to prepare him for styling. Then, professional groomers allow the pet some time to relax before the styling stages. You'll do your pet a favor if you plan for him to spend at least half the day at the salon, so the groomer doesn't have to rush.

Be honest. If you don't like the results, let the groomer know when you pick up your pet. A good groomer will keep notes on length and style and will add your comments to the file for Sparky's next visit. Over time, with good communication, you and your groomer will be able to find the perfect style for your pet.