Year-end reflection: a grooming appointment that left my dog injured and traumatized As the year comes to an end, I've been reflecting on Maya's year. It was mostly filled with joy, growth, and happiness -- but it also included one grooming appointment that caused her significant physical injury and lasting emotional trauma. I am writing this in detail so other pet parents can make a truly informed decision. What happened: We booked a mobile grooming session with Good Sniff Spaw in Spring. The appointment lasted about 3 hours, and we paid $289.11 for standard grooming plus add-ons (teeth brushing and anal glands). We were not provided with a clear, itemized invoice at the time. Before the session, we clearly agreed to keep about half the coat length. Instead, Maya's body and legs were shaved very close to the skin, and her face was trimmed into a pointy shape rather than the rounded look we requested. When we saw her afterward, she looked so different that we could barely recognize her. (the first photo shows what Maya looked like after her previous grooming session.) Immediately after grooming, we only took her to the front lawn for a quick potty break. When we came back inside and wiped her paws at the door, we noticed blood traces and severe redness between her paw pads. Over the next several hours, Maya became increasingly distressed -- she kept licking all four paws repeatedly, scratching multiple parts of her body, and was unable to sleep. That same evening, we ordered wound-care supplies (wound spray and protective socks) to prevent infection and worsening injuries. The next day, her condition did not improve, and we had no choice but to take her to the vet. The veterinarian confirmed that the injuries were consistent with fresh clipper abrasions/over-shaving, not a pre-existing condition. The severity of the impact: Maya was prescribed six days of medication to manage pain and inflammation. To put this in perspective, she experienced less pain and a smoother recovery after her spay surgery than she did after this grooming appointment. Watching her struggle to sleep, constantly lick her wounds, and react in fear was heartbreaking. I cried three times during this process -- not out of anger, but from helplessness, watching my fur baby suffer from something that should have been routine and safe. Since this incident, Maya has been too traumatized to tolerate professional grooming. To this day, we can only bathe and trim her ourselves. I'm sharing this not because of a cosmetic disagreement, a minor irritation, or something that "just happens." It resulted in visible blood traces on her paws, scrape marks inside her ears, prescription medication, a vet visit, days of pain, sleepless nights, and long-term fear. I'm sharing this so other dog parents -- especially those with sensitive or anxious dogs -- understand the potential risks and can make a fully informed decision. No dog should leave a grooming appointment injured. No owner should have to learn this lesson the hard way. read more

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Nicole from Good Sniff n Spaw was amazing.Her work was Fabulous and would reccomend her big time to anyone. My doggies looked so good and I was quite pleased. Only thing I have negative to say is that there should be better communication with the management. I was expecting another girl but was thrown off by this girl. But Happy she cane Nicole 10 star all the way. Also management needs to update records as message sent to me was about my doggie who passed awhile back. All in all, quite satisfied with Good Sniff N Spaw wont go anywhere else. Thank you Nicole your Amazing : read more

Rating ZERO OR NEGATIVE - HOWEVER i HAVE TO GIVE THEM AT LEAST ONE STAR DON'T USE THEM EVER!! They completely destroyed my cat earlier this year, she was beautiful and fluffy and the male groomer shaved her down to nothing, even around her neck. This was after I explained to him NOT to cut her hair. I only wanted her privates done. I cried for hours after they were done and we still had to pay them. We had to go out and buy her sweaters because she shivered, it was winter. read more

please please do not use these people. they over charge, are not qualified, and do a terrible job. worst experience and haircut.

TLDR: Do NOT book with this groomer unless you'd like your dog to be left like mine (1/4 shaved)! I initially booked an appointment with Good Sniff Spaw after seeing them on my street. As my dog hasn't been groomed in a while (old groomer quit her job, and I haven't found anywhere else that has good reviews AND does large dogs), I inquired if they would be able to groom my dog. I spoke to the who I presume is the owner, and he assured me that they do groom large dogs and can groom my Chow Chow (as they have a reputation to be aggressive and a lot of work due to their fur). The day of the appointment came and my groomer, Katie, seemed like she knew exactly what she was doing and got along with my dog. I know he gets nervous with some groomers, so I offered to go in with her, give him treats, or provide a muzzle in case he starts to growl or nip at her (he has never bitten anyone to this day). She said no it was fine and took my dog into her van. About 10 minutes goes by and I get a call from her boss stating my dogs fur is too matted underneath and will need to be shaved because brushing isn't doing anything. I agreed since it was the only option presented. Then 10-20 minutes later, I received another call from the boss saying my dog is too aggressive and the groomer will not continue (but assures me that the groomer is a trainer and well experience groomer) (I am fully aware my dog can be "aggressive" because he gets very nervous and does not like his fur being tugged on - hence why i offered to go in and/or provide a muzzle). Katie brings my dog back inside with only ONE LEG & behind half his head shaved off, refusing to do anything more because of his aggression, BUT I can go get sedatives for him to calm him down and rebook. Okay fine.. they charge me $25 for their time. I go to the vet & get sedatives ($100 later), and rebook an appointment. The morning comes, I give my dog the sedatives and he is loopy. Tripping up the stairs, shaking, clearly not stable. The groomer shows up, takes my dog. Literally 20 minutes later, I get a call from her boss (again) stating they will no longer groom my dog because he growled... So the groomer brings my dog back to my front door, hands the leash to my mom and backs off saying abruptly that she can't work on him anymore and leaves. Leaves my dog with ONE LEG & HALF HIS HEAD SHAVED (this is a chow chow, so he is FLUFFY everywhere else). I don't have the tools, experience, or knowledge on how to shave/groom the rest of my dog. So I was left with my dog looking ridiculous, and out $125 (+ tip because I actually felt bad for the groomers first try, which I regret now). Why not just tell customers from the start if your groomers can't work with large, "aggressive" dogs?? All my dog did was growl and you refused to continue working on him. If that's all it takes for you to stop working on a dog, then you're in the wrong line of work. ALSO - I went to a new groomer who ended up shaving the rest of him and they advised that Good Sniff Spaw used the wrong blade cover, which resulted in them tugging my dogs skin/fur while shaving him. Which makes sense why he would flinch or get upset. I've already told many people about this experience and not only have you lost me as a customer, but many others. It's unfortunate that I had this horrible experience, but I feel the worst for my dog who was left looking horrible and had to be put on sedatives for no apparent reason. If you're a potential customer, please think about going somewhere else with your business. I usually don't write long reviews like these, but felt the need to be detailed so my review can be of some real help. read more

Good Sniff Spaw - How my dog was left after his appointment - Pet Groomers Near Me - Oakville, Ontario

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So upsetting. We brush our dog weekly. Yes, there may have been a few spots but Katie sheared our dog to his skin in the middle of feb. He is now so depressed and cold. There is cutting out matting and there is shearing to the skin. DO NOT HAVE YOUR DOG GROOMED BY KATIE read more

Good Sniff Spaw - His skin is raw. Maybe the vet soon foe infection. A few spots are red. - Pet Groomers Near Me - Oakville, Ontario

July 30th 2020 I had me Shi Poo, Riley groomed today, he just turned 14, 3 weeks ago. I was not able to get my usual mobile groomer, with whom I have never had a problem. it was only 8 weeks since his last grooming. As he is an elderly dog, I always let them know, he may not be too happy about being groomed.The groomer said he was behaved at the beginning and then he became aggressive . With the result , he had a very poor grooming. She shaved his tail completely, it looks like a rats tail, I don't believe she gave him a bath. She handed him back to me saying she could not finish him properly, if that was how she felt, then I should have received a discount. I love the convenience of a mobile groomer, but this will be one that I would not use again. read more

DO NOT RECOMMEND!!! 1 Star simply because they responded to the situation in a timely manner. We are truly devastated at the state in which our 7 year old, 5 pound, well maintained, long-haired, traditional-style Yorkshire terrier was left. The groomer Macy, after extremely clear + specific instructions that included to trim and NOT shave her body, and to only trim her long ponytail, completely butchered the groom. We asked that if the dog started to panic (as distressed dogs can do), to stop + let us know/bring her to the door and we would calm her. Macey proceeded to SHAVE OFF HER PONYTAIL & SHAVE HER BODY - then blamed the dog for her action, as the dog was "breathing heavy / had her own hair in her mouth" - We still do not understand the excuse. THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOT HER NEGLIGENCE. She blatantley disregard our requests. Photos of this hack job are attached. This needs to be seen - a warning to others!!! Macey returned the dog with no hair on top of her head and her body unfinished (with one leg shaved), and she stated she would come back at the end of her day, after the rest of her appointments, to complete the job. We were left in tears looking at our poor dog. Why were clippers even used when she was to be simply trimmed & tidied up (leaving length to the hair)?!? After multiple voicemails and text messages, Magda (the owner) finally called back and said that Macey must have had an off day. She decided to send an experienced groomer to try to fix what was left of the dog's hair. Katie did her best to complete the job, though there was barely any hair to work with. Very disappointed that Macey did not bother to inform her manager of the situation, and carried on with her day. "Sorry" cannot help the situation or put the hair back on our dog's head that took 7 YEARS to grow out & maintain. In addition to the hack job, we have yet to receive an explanation as to why the groomer showed up 2 hours early, with no warning - after receiving a text the day prior to confirm our 12:30pm appointment. We accommodated, but the appointment was scheduled around work-from-home meetings. This company should not send inexperienced groomers to new clients if they want them to return OR inform the client that they will be served by a less-experienced groomer. A professional groomer should be able to handle a 5 pound, middle-aged, well-tempered dog. We tried this company as our regular groomer moved locations and is too far to travel to. Our dog is a homebody & we figured she may preferred being groomed where she knew she was still at home (as COVID as made in-home grooming hard to find). Our dog is now visibly uncomfortable and distressed. She is depressed and won't leave her bed. We are embarrassed for her, and she can no longer attend modelling shoots any time in the near future - if ever again, due to the hair grow out, which is a loss of income to us. She is unrecognizable. We cannot put into words how upset we are :( WORST GROOM EVER!!! Macey should not work in this industry, or at least be reprimanded for this & her initial lack of ownership/responsibility in the situation. Absolutely appalled by her work. Apologize for calling out the groomer specifically, but we do not want to blame ALL the groomers who work for this company for our disappointment - I'm sure another groomer could not have done a worse job. read more

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Amazing experience. The groomer, Dani, was so gentle and kind with our senior golden retriever, and did such a great job grooming her, I can't speak highly enough about the experience. This was my first time using Good Sniff Spa and I will definitely use them again. They showed up on time, made our dog feel comfortable and relaxed, and spent the time to really understand what was needed. I am beyond pleased. read more