First of all let me state that I am an urgent care doctor, very level headed, and do not like leaving negative reviews, or get upset unless something goes very wrong.
That being said I dropped my German Sheppard off on Saturday for a one night stay and hair cut, and they refused to show me where he was going to be lodged, because dogs were eating. Which didn't make any sense, and my "bullsh*t" meter started to go off. It was then I looked into the dog play area and saw about 20 large dogs packed into a way too small area with 2 employees spraying water onto the dogs from water sprayers for control, they weren't playing with the dogs, the dogs were sardined in, and the whole facility seemed understaffed and employees a bit on edge. After being quoted $65 for the haircut, the employee told me that he would be isolated in the groomer section until I picked him up, I said don't be ridiculous, let him play after the haircut or else I'll have to exercise him after I pick him up.
The next day I pick my dog up, he's not even in the playroom, I ask where my dog is? They say he has been in grooming, been there for 4 hours because that's where they hold dogs after getting groomed. and it was going to be a $90 charge for the haircut. I told the cashier I was quoted $65 and told the previous employee to let him play after getting the haircut, she lowered the price and apologized. And I was ok with that, mistakes happen, no big deal.
What bothers me, and the reason I'm writing this is because after picking up my dog, he immediately urinated for over 2 minutes straight, which he only does if confined for a long period. Again, could be just an oversight by the groomers not letting the dogs use the bathroom on a busy weekend.
But immediately after urinating for over 2 minutes he runs to his water bowl and drinks 3 large bowls of water, extremely uncharacteristic of my dog. Has been drinking all night. Again busy, understaffed facility, overlooked the fact that my dog needs to drink water, and urinate, things are starting to upset me.
He has multiple areas of irritated skin all over his body that is very tender and RAW, from the grooming.
Finally, and the absolute worst part about the whole experience is that my originally loving, happy, playful dog, will not interact with me or our family, is jumpy, wont make eye contact, or come when we call. He doest want to be pet, or scratched and I've never seen him like this before. Ive worked with both abused animals and abused children in my career, and they all presented with the same characteristics
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My wife called the facility to ask what the hell happened, and there was no manager working, the lady on the phone didn't have any answers, and we have to wait until Tuesday to talk to a manager.
I have a very easy going dog, he is service dog, and works at my urgent care clinic with me. He has stayed at plenty of boarding facilities, never any problems at dog parks, but professionally I believe something happened there that traumatized him.
Whether it was the over booked, under staffed facility, unknown boarding environment, prison yard style play room, K9 LOFT returned my dog, my part of my family, in the worst emotional shape I've ever seen him.
I just read the other yelp reviews and other people who had their German Sheppard groomed there report the EXACT same thing. read more