Petco

Tricia with CVCA is fantastic! I've quickly seen a change in my dog after working with Tricia. My…read morepup is becoming much calmer when seeing other dogs on our walks. I'm a dog-walker so I'm familiar with dog behavior. Tricia sees the tiniest cues that I miss. These tiny cues make all the difference!

TL;DR: HIRE HER. She's AMAZING…read more Our little beagle was rescued from a puppy mill that was raising him sell to a lab. The mill was shut down due to animal abuse. Since our pup had spent his entire life living in a kennel (and didn't know about grass, cars, walks, toys, peanut butter--anything!), we had our work cut out for us. And we're first-time dog owners, to boot. Tricia was recommended to us after I posted on a community Reddit page. She promised to be our one-stop shop for dog help, and she's more than lived up to her promise. Not only did she help us potty-train our one-year-old pup and teach him basic commands, but she's helped us with everything from figuring out doggy daycare, grooming, pet supplies, etc. We see her once a week at our house or at a public place and also answers tons of questions from us via text/email in between sessions. Not only is Tricia great with our pup (he ADORES her), but she's great with us, too. She's super professional and prompt, and is helping us gain confidence as new dog owners. I'd highly recommend her to anyone (and have already recommended her to several friends!).

Atlantic Coast K 9 Training Service

(8 reviews)

Ralph was amazing with our dog. Despite his wealth of knowledge and years of experience he made…read moreeach lesson with our puppy very digestible. He gave in depth tutorials behind each of the exercises we did. Not just showing us how to perform the exercise but also why we do it. The behavior of our puppy after training was exactly what we were looking for. Highly recommend.

My dog was difficult to control on walks and would run towards cars and pedestrians. After the…read morefirst training session our dog began to improve and walks were much calmer. He gave us good insight into out dog's motivations and suggestions for further training. Training was well worth the investment.

Shady Mountain Pet Retreat

(14 reviews)

Where do we begin with providing a proper client review of such a WONDERFUL and WELCOMING…read morehome-away-from-home for your beloved furry family members, and where you will be a returning client? Is it with the: 1) CARING and KNOWLEDGEABLE client/pet-oriented family Team; or, 2) WELCOMING and INDIVIDUAL luxury boarding suites and adjacent fenced exercise areas; or 3) CALMING and RELAXING clean air environment and walking trails set in the Blue Ridge Mountain region????? As "parents" of two shelter-rescue Rottweilers [Cola (f) and Moose (m)], in early 2024 we were in need of the "purrfect" boarding team and environment as we prepared for an March/April trip to Europe. Significant considerations included the facts that neither pet was very social, nor had ever been apart from us or away from home. To say we had anxiety about this issue is an understatement; but then, we found Miriam and her family-based team at Shady Mountain Pet Retreat in Amherst, VA. Our initial engagement was so successful we returned recently for 2 weeks in October when we attended a family wedding. Below is our attempt to inform accordingly so you may also experience such joy...... Firstly, the TEAM: No business can operate to its highest degree of precision absent having the highest caliber TEAM to execute flawlessly and achieve such performance. Factor into the pet-boarding business equation is the fact that our pets are beloved family members and we strive to entrust their training and care to the most qualified and caring professionals of integrity in the safest environment. Have no concerns on this front, as Miriam and her family are the highest caliber cohesive TEAM who exceed client (and furry guest) expectations. From the moment we engaged with Miriam, we knew we made the purrfect choice. Miriam listened to us and understood our concerns, and suggested an initial meet and greet with Cola and Moose. We eagerly made the 2-hour drive from Mineral, VA to meet Miriam, who is a well-accomplished author and expert in the field of animal behavior, training and care; and her clients and their pets are the direct beneficiaries. I stress the fact Miriam listened to our concerns and provided insightful information facilitating our collective best-informed decision to entrust Cola and Moose with her for a 1-month board and train period during our upcoming trip. I assure you that we did not have any guilt-based regrets as we departed on drop-off day of either of our two visits to date (March/April and then October). You can trust that Miriam sincerely wants you and your pet(s) to be happy, comfortable and free of any stress, emphasizing her positive reinforcement approach which serves as the corner stone of Shady Mountain Pet Retreat. You can even follow your pet's daily adventures through various updates Miriam posts thoughtfully on social media and her website: https://www.shadymountainpetretreat.net/ Secondly (but equally), the BOARDING SUITES/EXERCISE AREAS: Discard any concerns you may have that you will find institutional-style stress creating chain link fence-type boarding "cages" or rooms at Shady Mountain Pet Retreat. Rather, at Shady Mountain your family member will reside in a very comfortable, climate-controlled individualized roomy suite, separated by solid walls from neighboring guests. A raised off-the-floor style pet bed is a plus to afford more comfort while resting. The suite doors have a full length glass window (with drop blind as needed) so residents can watch the daily "office" activities, and a rear-exit pet door leading out to the fenced in exercise area. Each guest enjoys their own supply storage cubby which facilitates the management of feedings, etc. External fenced in exercise areas are divided into separate sections which permits greater staff flexibility for training, etc. See website for all the other possibilities for your pet's stay: https://www.shadymountainpetretreat.net/ Lastly (but equally), the clean air mountain ENVIRONMENT and WALKING TRAILS: As you ascend Shady Mountain to reach the Retreat, you will be filled with a calming and serene sense, taking in the peaceful natural Amherst, VA environment. Cola and Moose love taking in all the smells of nature as we drive up the mountain. Peaceful and calming are the words we would use to describe this environment. If pet appropriate, Miriam's team can take your loved-one on nature walks through trails in the surrounding landscape, with the potential to see deer and other varieties of wildlife. Cola and Moose told us they so enjoyed these nature walks on their most recent visit. We conclude our review by recommending, with the highest regards, the Shady Mountain Pet Retreat, Miriam and her team. At the Shady Mountain Pet Retreat all three elements of knowledgeable and caring people, well-apportioned boarding/training facilities and a serene environment combine to provide the most wonderful and trusting of experiences. Thank you!!

As someone who's worked in canine behavior and training for years, finding a place I will entrust…read morewith my dogs is no easy feat. Now that I've found Shady Mountain I may never leave Virginia. Miriam is the real deal. Besides l the numerous books she's published on dog behavior and training the facility is perfect. It's set up impeccably, has appropriately strict health screening for entry and the services on site are too notch. I left my dogs for their first stay and walked away with ease and comfort knowing they are in the best of hands. It's worth every penny and then some.

Canine Campus

4.5

(13 reviews)

Devon and team are professional, kind, and compassionate even with the shyest of puppies. I highly…read morerecommend the Canine Campus team!

My pup only stayed here a few times for daycare but the staff were very communicative and…read moreaccomodating. They definitely know about dog body language and how to appropriately give rest breaks to dogs. Thanks for your care of my nervous GSD!

Austin’s German Shepherds

(2 reviews)

Had a great experience with Judy and Kevin at Austin's German Shepherds! We brought home our happy,…read morehealthy little guy just over a week ago and couldn't be more in love with him! Communication was great and Judy and Kevin were super easy to work with!

Wonderful people to help you with your next puppy. Super…read morewell bred dogs. Austin's put their Shepherds first. My family has been welcoming Austin's GSD's into our family for seven years. We now have 3. We couldn't be happier with our breeder choice.

Controlled K9

(49 reviews)

Kelia was the most amazing trainer for me and my dog. He was an anxious, dog reactive guy, and it…read moreaffected every part of how and when we interacted with the world. Since he's worked with her over the five-week training period, he's made a complete 180. Now we're able to walk around the city and not have him bark at every dog we see on the street. I want to point out that because my dog is innately anxious, it affects his physical state too with eating and other issues. Kelia shared that she used to be a vet tech and made me feel the most comfortable and confident with helping me set up a plan for when he might have an episode due to the transition and what all would take place to ensure he would be okay, loved, and healthy. Long story short, she cared for him for the days he was struggling, kept me updated, and he came out of it because she was purposeful, knowledgeable, and more than capable to handle the situation. I can't recommend Kelia enough for anyone seeking support and/or confidence in how they can better work with, love, and respect their dog. Bonus, she's genuinely such a joy of a human being!

Our family highly recommends Controlled K9! We adopted our boy Mortimer last year after he had been…read moreliving as a stray, and we were really struggling when he came home with basic manners, reactivity, and having him settle in with our other dog. We ended up sending both of our boys for a six-week board and train with Kelia. It seemed to only make sense to send both dogs so they would have the same baseline training. Kelia was amazing! She kept us informed just about every day with videos and texts so we could see that the boys were happy and making progress. When Kelia brought the boys home, she spent a few hours with us, showing all the commands and techniques that she taught them, so we had a seamless transition. The "place" command alone has been lifechanging. (Although as you can see in the picture, they sometimes refuse to use separate mats, LOL.) We use the command before we feed them, initially when guests come by, and when we just need them to settle down a bit. It has reduced the stress and chaos in our house tenfold, and we actually can see the boys relax when they know they have a place to go and chill out. Kelia also gave us the tools to make leash walking and general obedience so much more successful. There are a lot of options out there for training. What set Controlled K9 apart for us was (1) our boys lived with Kelia, her family, and her dogs during training - they were not staying in a kennel and were in a real-life, loving environment, and (2) the promise of lifetime, free follow-up support. The boys have been home now for about 3 months. The training has stuck, and we feel like we really have the tools we need to make life pleasant for all of us, including the boys. Kelia has also proactively checked in to make sure things are going well, provided tips on the best way to reinforce training, and has responded quickly when we have follow-up questions, including offering a visit. Over three months later, we are still completely satisfied with the training and support provided by Controlled K9 and Kelia, and we would use them again in a heartbeat.

Veterinary Emergency Services

3.3

(23 reviews)

My dog had scratched open a previous wound that was pretty deep on Sunday morning. I called ahead…read moreto see wait time and they said they have an opening for 10:30am. We got there at 10:33am and the ladies up front were very nice. We had to wait an hour before going back to a room but they did take our dog back to get a set of vitals while we were waiting. Once we went back to the room we waited another 30 mins before a vet tech came and took our dog back. All the staff were very friendly. Dr. Robertson is who treated our dog and he came in and discussed options, plans, and his recommendations. He was super nice and knowledgeable and I felt like gave us his undivided attention. Didn't feel rushed at all. The vet techs were so good with her too. She got a fun easter themed dressing. Besides the wait time, I was pleased with her care and the staff!!

We had to take our 14yr old cat to the vet Emergency clinic. They were very nice and cared for our…read morecat like he was their own. We were able to bring our cat home with him feeling better. We are so grateful to have the Veterinary Emergency Services available to us. Thank you all for taking care of Rexie and us too!!! Julie and Chris

Tendercare Veterinary Center

4.3

(16 reviews)

OMG. I like never review things but I saw a few of these reviews while looking for a new vet and I…read morehave to agree. They are soooo slow. I think Sally said it right. If you can't handle the workload then don't make the appointments. Some things are more important than money. The people and the pets you act like you are there for are two of them. I feel the worst for the support staff though. They frequently had to apologize and make excuses for their boss, to me and others. Seriously, if you can't handle the workload then don't make the appointments.

Dr. Terri Sears and her entire team are amazing!! I have been with them since the beginning. As a…read moreprior EMT-A (advanced life support provider), I can tell you she equips her surgical suite above and beyond with capnography and all kinds of things and she also stays up to date on new guidelines and all those things. My babies and family adore her!! She treats your pets as if they were her own.

Westwood Animal Hospital

3.2

(11 reviews)

Emergency or not will send you away if can't afford it no matter how much the animal is suffering.I…read morefeel they are all about the $ instead of caring for the animals

First things first: this is a good and competent veterinary practise and they've been very good to…read moremy dog. From an animal care perspective, this vet is a five out of five. That said: if you take your large or small animal here, be prepared for extremely expensive visits, murky pricing, and unapologetic billing with absolutely zero consideration as to how a working person will afford their prices. Case in point: I'm a farm hand on a horse and cattle farm. My dog got on the wrong side of a bay mare and got stepped on, resulting in a fairly deep puncture wound. So, called ahead and let them know what happened and I them take my pup to Westwood and explain to them that I want an X-ray of the joint to ensure nothing is fractured. At this point they take my dog for "triage" and will not allow me to attend. A little while later a tech comes out to tell me that they have to sedate her, do an X-ray, and perform a small incision below the puncture wound to create drainage and allow the wound to properly heal. Turns out the wound was pocketing at the joint. Not good because we want wounds to drain, not have the goo collect and create sepsis. Ok, solid plan. About an hour or so later they bring my dog back out, explain the aftercare (cold hosing twice a day; keep her sedate for 10 days, antibiotics, etc.). Up until this point, I'm happy with the care and professionalism my dog and I are receiving. And then they presented me with the bill: $530. For an X-ray, incision, and medication. $530. I was shocked, to say the least. The kicker was when I explained that I'm a farm hand and $530 was just about all the money I had in the world, the woman at the counter just straight faced me and told me the cost was the cost. When I asked about maybe breaking the payment up into two instalments, it was suggested I apply for some kind of third party credit company. What. The. Actual. All I can say is that this is a great practise if you have the money. I was extremely frustrated with the absolute and total lack of empathy or consideration for a working man, the fact that they do all this stuff and rack up a gigantic bill without EVER advising on pricing or options, and then they act as if they're entitled to a month's rent because they did an X-ray, an incision, and dispensed a few medications. I don't know, maybe this is the way with the unregulated world of veterinary medicine, but my experience with other vets has not been nearly as problematic when it comes to pricing. TLDR: if you bring your animal to Westwood in a Ferrari you'll probably be able to afford Westwood. If you're a working person with limited funds, ASK THEM WHAT THE COST WILL BE UP FRONT because they will gleefully empty your pockets.

Augusta Valley Animal Hospital

I went to see if I could get another dose of simparica trio because we had a mouse problem and the…read moremice ate her last 2 doses so I asked if I could get the price of a single dose and I was told by the hospital manager because I inactivated my account (I haven't set the dog up at any other clinic) I have to find somewhere else so I asked if I could just reactivate her account and was told "it is best to find a different clinic." I have Been taking my dog here for the past 8 months (since she was 8 weeks old) this was completely uncalled for

Refused to do International Pet Health Certificates because of laziness, ignorance, and…read moreunderstaffing. Would not help after asking if changing flights and accommodating their busy schedule would allow additional time for completion. It's clear the vet and manager could care less about the well being of two kittens and had prejudice against a biracial trans woman.

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3 reviews that are not currently recommended

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Local Country Girl V.

0

1

0

10 years ago

Absolute wonderful small town grooming salon. The staff geniuenly care about your dog and go over everything when you drop off. The salon manager Jessica helped me pick the right spa treatment for my boy and and even got on the floor with him to get him more comfortable. She was very attentive and thorough. When I picked him up he looked great and was very . Jessica reviewed what was done with my boy, and put a pretty bow on his collar. When I went to leave my pup ran back up to her to get one more belly rub. Jessica even set up my next appointment so I could have him looking great all the time. My pup was in the best care I was very satisfied. read more

Betsy S.

0

2

0

10 years ago

Absolutely the worst!!!! No one is helpful and and everyone is rude and inconsiderate.. they do not care. They don't even deserve a single star read more

Victoria F.

0

2

10 years ago

Very helpful and friendly staff! Able to answer all my questions plus some! Highly recommended! Thank you!

Petco - pet_training - Updated August 2026

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Every Time I bring my German Shepherd they they take good care of him ! i take him there every time…read morei leave town

I suppose they don't want to groom my sweet old golden-doodle. They would have done a better job at…read moregrooming and not charged $150 to do it!

Miss Holly’s Groom Room

(1 review)

Holly is a fantastic local groomer that serves you with professionalism, compassionate, and…read morefriendly service. I absolutely love the summer style cut she does on our 3 shih-tzu. I like that she requires shot records for the puppies safety and as well as her and the business. The grooming prices are very reasonable and the amount time they spend there is excellent for us as doggy parents. We love Holly and will be using her Groom Room for a very long time, I love that she loves our dogs just as much as we do!! You will not be disappointed by using any of her services.

Gypsy Hill Pet Grooming Studio

4.4

Very unprofessional. She doesn't answer her phone when you call. Her voicemail says to hang up and…read moretext her instead of leaving a voicemail, and then she doesn't respond to your text messages. Why bother having a business if you don't want any customers?

Chrissy did an amazing job with two difficult customers! She was easy to get ahold of,…read moreaccommodating and did a great job on my 2 dogs. She also works out of her home and only on one dog family at a time. I would highly recommend her!

Augusta Valley Animal Hospital

I went to see if I could get another dose of simparica trio because we had a mouse problem and the…read moremice ate her last 2 doses so I asked if I could get the price of a single dose and I was told by the hospital manager because I inactivated my account (I haven't set the dog up at any other clinic) I have to find somewhere else so I asked if I could just reactivate her account and was told "it is best to find a different clinic." I have Been taking my dog here for the past 8 months (since she was 8 weeks old) this was completely uncalled for

Refused to do International Pet Health Certificates because of laziness, ignorance, and…read moreunderstaffing. Would not help after asking if changing flights and accommodating their busy schedule would allow additional time for completion. It's clear the vet and manager could care less about the well being of two kittens and had prejudice against a biracial trans woman.

Gina's Pet Grooming

(3 reviews)

I have been taking my 23 pound Schnoodle and my 94 pound Aussiedoodle to Gina for many years! I…read morehave standing appointments for every 8 weeks. Gina shows love and care to my boys no matter how messy they may be! My guys perk up whenever I say the magic words...."Let's go see Gina!". Both Gina and Ciera keep up with current trends as well as participate in grooming competitions. They have been voted on multiple years as the Valley's Best Grooming Salon! My little guy is 13 years old now and slowing down. When I bring him in, Gina always asks how he's been feeling, and if there is anything new. She then bases her grooming plan around him. Some days he needs a warm moisturizing bath.....some days he might need a flea bath, some days he needs a winter time clip instead of his usual shorter clip. My big guy rushes straight in and hops up on the table! He totally loves it! These ladies take their time, and does whatever is necessary to keep my guys in great shape and comfortable! Even when that means getting down on the floor with them and giving them a big hug! I can't say enough great things about this business!

If you love your pet you will not take your pet to Gina's grooming. I walked in yesterday to pick…read moreup our dogs and I witnessed her physically abusing my 9 month old puppy. It has taken every restraint in me not to beat her to the ground. She is clearly incapable of caring for dogs the way she should.

Spca

(3 reviews)

The staff was very helpful. They went over and above to help me and my family. They seemed caring…read morefor not only the pet that we needed to part ways with and our family.

Too bad two reviews, one ten years ago, the other twelve, the people who do the real work deserve…read morebetter. My rating is for those don't. My wife and I were named and pictured in the newsletter as volunteers of the year. Much valued, respected, and enjoyed the people who did the real work there,

Bark-N-Style

3.4

(5 reviews)

Everything whenever I called she will always squeeze my dog princess and she's a Pomeranian and…read morethey do immaculate amazing work

Wonderful service and kind groomer. I've been taking my girls, poodle and goldendoodle here for…read moreseveral years.

Pet Parlor

(1 review)

We take our three dogs here for baths and nail trims. The staff have always been wonderful with…read morethem! Even with our 85 pound nervous Staffie!

Westwood Animal Hospital

3.2

(11 reviews)

Emergency or not will send you away if can't afford it no matter how much the animal is suffering.I…read morefeel they are all about the $ instead of caring for the animals

First things first: this is a good and competent veterinary practise and they've been very good to…read moremy dog. From an animal care perspective, this vet is a five out of five. That said: if you take your large or small animal here, be prepared for extremely expensive visits, murky pricing, and unapologetic billing with absolutely zero consideration as to how a working person will afford their prices. Case in point: I'm a farm hand on a horse and cattle farm. My dog got on the wrong side of a bay mare and got stepped on, resulting in a fairly deep puncture wound. So, called ahead and let them know what happened and I them take my pup to Westwood and explain to them that I want an X-ray of the joint to ensure nothing is fractured. At this point they take my dog for "triage" and will not allow me to attend. A little while later a tech comes out to tell me that they have to sedate her, do an X-ray, and perform a small incision below the puncture wound to create drainage and allow the wound to properly heal. Turns out the wound was pocketing at the joint. Not good because we want wounds to drain, not have the goo collect and create sepsis. Ok, solid plan. About an hour or so later they bring my dog back out, explain the aftercare (cold hosing twice a day; keep her sedate for 10 days, antibiotics, etc.). Up until this point, I'm happy with the care and professionalism my dog and I are receiving. And then they presented me with the bill: $530. For an X-ray, incision, and medication. $530. I was shocked, to say the least. The kicker was when I explained that I'm a farm hand and $530 was just about all the money I had in the world, the woman at the counter just straight faced me and told me the cost was the cost. When I asked about maybe breaking the payment up into two instalments, it was suggested I apply for some kind of third party credit company. What. The. Actual. All I can say is that this is a great practise if you have the money. I was extremely frustrated with the absolute and total lack of empathy or consideration for a working man, the fact that they do all this stuff and rack up a gigantic bill without EVER advising on pricing or options, and then they act as if they're entitled to a month's rent because they did an X-ray, an incision, and dispensed a few medications. I don't know, maybe this is the way with the unregulated world of veterinary medicine, but my experience with other vets has not been nearly as problematic when it comes to pricing. TLDR: if you bring your animal to Westwood in a Ferrari you'll probably be able to afford Westwood. If you're a working person with limited funds, ASK THEM WHAT THE COST WILL BE UP FRONT because they will gleefully empty your pockets.

Fluff and Fetch Dog Grooming