I took my puppy to a puppy play date twice. The first time, we got there right at 12:00 when it was supposed to start but they were still cleaning the play room. I thought maybe they just happened to get behind, so even though I was disappointed he couldn't start right away, I understand that these things happen sometimes. It also happened to be Natuonal Ice Cream Day, so he got some free doggie ice cream at the end.
The second time I took him, I arrived about 12:30 (the event still started at 12:00) and they were cleaning the room again! This time I felt like it was a problem because it should've been ready AND I was late (on purpose) on top of that so they definitely should have been done. When I had called to make my reservation for the playdate over the phone, the lady offered him free ice cream after the puppy play date. Since he enjoyed it last time, I agreed. Online, it also said I would get some keepsakes to take home. When I went to pick him, there was no mention of getting any of the keepsakes (a picture, pawprint, and puppy booklet). They just handed him over and said goodbye. Then I asked about the ice cream and how we were told over the phone he could have free ice cream. The girl wasn't sure so she went to ask someone else so told her that they didn't wouldn't give him ice cream because he was a puppy. I told her how he had had the ice cream on his first visit, but she didn't have an answer.
A week later, I brought my puppy in to be groomed. He's a small guy, but he has got long hair. The guy said he would pluck his ears, file his nails, brush his teeth, express his anal glands if needed, trim him, and cut the hair around his butt so he wouldn't get poop in his hair while using the bathroom. Well, my pup had been outside and he a bur stuck in the fur around his mouth. I couldn't get it out, so I told the guy about it and he said "okay I see it. No problem." He told me he'd be there for 3-4 hours. I shocked me it would take that long(I was going to wait in the area for him). But since it was such a long time I just went back home. I had dropped him off maybe an hour and a half ago when they called and said he was ready. I went to pick him up and he was just extra fluffy. He hadn't gotten his hair trimmed. I have no idea if he actually brushed his teeth or expressed his anal glands. He got so excited to see me he peed everywhere, so I just wanted to get him home to a familiar place. When I got him home I was able to get a closer look at him: he had trimmed the hair out of his eyes (good), nails were filed smooth (good), but he hadn't plucked his ear hairs and he left the burr stuck in his face! So I had to sit down and put him in between my legs to hold him still so I could cut it out myself (which took awhile since he was very interested in the scissors and why they were going near his mouth).
I also wanted to buy a basket muzzle to use on him when we go outside because he likes to eat random things off the ground (worms, bugs, leaves, grass, twigs, etc.), but they don't carry the extra small size (neither in store or online).
Very displeased with my experiences here. I expected more based on what I paid (I could've done everything myself and saved myself the cash and trouble). I don't imagine myself going back, not even for the vet since when you want to get immunizations, you have to pay a $52 visitation fee on top of the price for the shots. The private vet closer to me doesn't charge a visitation fee. You just pay for the shots. I'll have to find another place to have him groomed or start doing it myself. read more