Smooches For Pooches

My older dog can’t talk but does communicate with me very well. If the time comes that your dog hesitates at the door and doesn’t want to enter, the chances are quite good that the last visit didn’t go well. Unfortunately, we don’t know how our pet is treated when we leave them in the care of our groomer. We can and should observe how other dogs are being treated when we drop ours off and how they greet our precious little pet when we arrive. Pay careful attention to the body language of your pet when you arrive and see what they tell you. If you observe reluctance to enter, listen to them and don’t subject them to poor treatment. There are plenty of groomers that will absolutely love your pet.

Have been using this place for about 6 months. Everyone is friendly and it is very clean. My dog cant wait to get in the door. Kelly has been very helpful with any of my do it yourself grooming giving me tips and advice. All dogs seem happy and well attended even to the point of when I pick up my dog they tell me her bathroom habits and who she has been close friends with. There are many regulars which speaks to the consistant quality of care. I do not have any worries at all about leaving my girl at this day care. I have had poor experiences at other ones and will look no further. Also, if you ever want to see what goes on in this daycare just look in the front window - nothing to hide!

Proceed with great caution!!!!! Please read this whole review before deciding to leave your dog here. Your dog is better off safe at home alone with a bone and your wallet $22 fatter. This place is an accident waiting to happen. Unless you’re ok with all of the following:

• You don’t mind being a major inconvenience to them. Owner is rude, indifferent, rushes you. Just wants to get back to flirting with what appeared to be her boyfriend waiting behind the counter. Acts as if she’s doing you the favor of watching your dogs instead of providing you a service. No time for a 2 minute conversation about your dogs and will tell you so. My account would have been an $800 a week account + monthly grooming for 7 dogs. She could have cared less.

• Indifferent or ignorant of basic questions and concerns a customer may have about the care of their dogs. Acts offended if you ask questions. She had no emergency plan other than stating she wouldn’t take a pet to Harris Hill Animal Hospital next door because she used to work there. She says it never happens (i.e.: I’m not supposed to worry about it).

• Of the 4 times I was there for about 20 plus minutes each the attendants were not in the playroom with the dogs on arrival leaving the dogs alone. Also the same scenario when the phone rings the attendant steps out to talk again leaving the dogs alone. All 4 times I was there I never once observed any interaction with the dogs. Not so much as a pat on the head. Some attendants are tired and disinterested (I met 2 of them). Suggestion: When the owner decides to leave early every day she should have the calls forwarded to herself or someone whom is not attending the dogs in her care. Anything can happen at any time in that playroom and if you’ve ever observed a bloody dog fight you know what I mean.

• Dogs left in the playroom appear bored and restless with no stimulation.

• No, no, no, no. is what I was told when I asked for a basic, quiet dog introduction to the building before leaving my dogs there for the 1st day. Was told, “We like to do things our way” by someone named Kathy who stated she was returning my call because she had daycare experience and Kelly (the owner) didn’t. Even if that’s true, she needs a course in customer service as she hung up on me when I had finally had enough and told them I was no longer interested in the service.

• On the plus side…the place is immaculately clean and well kept. This should give you a clue…dogs will be dogs. They must spend all their time cleaning.

• Not sure what you really get for your $22 a day. I think she stays in business because she undercuts the competition by $1 an hour and opens an hour earlier. Certainly not enough for me or my dogs. Maybe she used to be good. But it’s horrible now. Proceed with caution. Would be fine for someone who was just looking for a place to drop a dog for the day that has money to burn and is as indifferent themselves. My heart goes out to the dogs that have no say in it themselves.