***Warning***Warning***Warning***
Do not take your puppies…read morethere if you love them! We made the terrible mistake of bringing our little, 4 month, 2.5 lb, Maltese pup to Barking Lot Boutique last week, one of the worst businesses we've ever dealt with. Lying, unprofessionalism, and a total lack of care for the well-being of pets. When we made our appointment, we asked for a particular groomer who had been recommended by an acquaintance, we clearly specified that it was our puppy's first visit to the groomer and he only needed to be introduced to the experience, equipment, and maybe, maybe have some minor grooming done if possible. This same exact information was shared again on three other occasions before our appointment: when we called to confirm, when we wrote it down on the paperwork, and one last time at their door before they took our little puppy inside.
The appointment started at 8, hours passed and we had no update on our pup. However, 5 hours later, we received a text message stating that our pup hat bitten one of the groomers (plural) and that they were going to try once more. At that moment we knew something was happening. A puppy should never wait five hours to be seen, and even the most gentle, friendly and obedient pet will react to mistreatment and neglect. On our way to their business, we called to get an update. Surprisingly, they told us they were done and we could pick him up.
Once at their door, a man who would later identify (via phone) as the owner, came out holding our puppy, whom was trembling in fear and in apparent shock. "Oh, everyone loved this little pup," he said. Followed by "but we didn't do anything to HER." "She bit one of the groomers," "is this HER first time at the groomer?"
At that point I knew he had no clue about our dog. Wrong gender, and asking the question I never wanted to hear (something they should've known). Once I grabbed my pup, I noticed he felt a bit wet, and was a little smelly, the owner then said, "well, we just gave him a bath, since he didn't let us do anything." My wife asked why was he given a bath if this was not even requested? No response. We decided to leave since our pup was terrified and in distress. In the car, we noticed he was missing his collar, so I returned to ask for it immediately. Took a few minutes for them to find it while making fun of how little it was. Once on my hand, I noticed that the collar had been tighten all the way, something that simply broke my heart.
At home, we called again to gather more information and still no clear answer was given. The owner claimed that our pup had been seen by someone in training, ending with "What do you want me to say?, and proceeded to be dismissive. The nerve, the lack of integrity, and the shameless lying.
At home we noticed that our pup had not even been rinsed thoroughly, and in fact, had part of his paws trimmed, and some nails clipped. Evidence that totally contradicted what the owner had claimed when he lied right to our face. So, our puppy was not attended by the groomer we requested, was not given the care he needed this being his first introductory visit, was given a bath when not requested, had only part of his paws done, was not rinsed properly, was called the wrong gender, was left for 5 hours unattended with no potty break, food, treats, surrounded by larger dogs and was completely abandoned and abused.
It took a few days for us to re-adjust our pups behavior after the terrifying, dangerous experience. But now he is fortunately ok, playful, gentle, and being the obedient, lovely pup he always is. Finally groomed by experts and far away from the Barking Lot Boutique.
As customers, we were also abused, lied to, and treated with no dignity and respect, so it is our duty to warn other pet owners about this place in order to prevent traumatic experiences that jeopardize the safety and well-being of our beloved friends, whom in many cases cannot defend themselves.
