Do NOT come here for grooming. And, if you do, avoid Wxxxxxx. (Name intentionally redacted.)…read more-------
I didn't want to write this review.
I didn't want to write this review because Rosemary was so kind by taking my dog in for a next-day grooming appointment. It was clear she was happy to welcome a new customer, and I was grateful and in need.
But the problem is Wxxxxxx.
I'm angry at myself because I KNEW, two seconds after meeting the groomer -- with the I-just-got-out-of-bed hair, and horrible bedside manner -- I KNEW this groomer wasn't going to do a good job. Wxxxxxx had ZERO pleasantness about him when we met. No cordial greeting. No "Hi, little doggie!"
He was like an emotionless teen flipping burgers unwillingly at a fast-food joint. As soon as I walked in the door, he grabbed my dog's leash like it was the next thing on the assembly line; I felt like he was just performing a task, not caring about giving a good experience.
I tried to strike up a conversation and dive into expectations. He seemed like he could not care less. He had a vibe of "I know what to do, and I'm gonna do it like I do it." (Me: Don't you want to TALK to me to learn more about this picture of how I want her cut? No? I guess you know my type of dog, huh?)
But, I internally scolded myself for judging a book by it's cover. I talked myself out of my gut feelings, knowing that pre-judging people is wrong.
When I got my dog back, I realized I should have listened to my instincts. That man has no business doing anything with a dog other than petting them. (Because he clearly has not mastered the art of grooming to where he should be paid for it.) My poor sheepadoodle was returned severely uneven and misshapen.
I've never groomed a dog before, but I'm willing to wager that on my first try I could have fared better. There were huge CHUNKS of uneven fur cut down to the skin (see rear leg pics and,) and other areas where it's clear that the groomer did not know how to cut evenly. (Look at the jawline and neck pics.)
And, although I paid for a full groom, it didn't appear that they cut any hair from the ears, paws, or underbelly at ALL. Not only was I paying for a horrible cut, I was paying for an INCOMPLETE job. (Note that they make you pay before they bring your dog out, so you don't see the final result until after you pay.)
When I was given a chance to inspect the cut, I restrained myelf, partly because both Wxxxxxx and Rosemary were presenting my dog to me and bracing for me to explode, and partly because I didn't want to cause a scene in front of Wxxxxxx. (What if Wxxxxxx has special needs or this was his first day and this represented his best work?) I initially opted to just let it go, and left. I was wrong for that.
But as I was driving home, (and after my wife saw the huge chunks of exposed skin and uneven hairline,) I had to call back and ask Rosemary for a redo. To their credit, they gladly took my dog back and schedule me with a different groomer the next day.
I brought my dog back the next day and a different groomer tried to fix the mess Wxxxxxx made. The day after THAT, I noticed the scars from blade scrapes on my dogs belly. (see pics.) That's when I realized I wouldn't return to Dirty Dog.
I didn't want to write this review. Dirty Dog is a local business, and I prefer to support local businesses, especially those who seem to have kind owner/operators (like Rosemary) who are trying to be involved in their community and serve others through their work.
And, I suppose I should have known better than to seek grooming at a place that is primarily known for offering self-washing services. Lesson learned on my part.
But it's important that Dirty Dog knows (and comes to terms with the reality) that Wxxxxxx is not only bad for business, he is dangerously close to causing injury to an animal. I'm sure he's a good person overall, and probably does lots of things well -- But grooming dogs is not one of them. Dirty Dog would be well-served to find another way he can serve without being near animals with sharp objects.
