Do you get your pet groomed at PetSmart?

[kval07]

My puppy needs his nails cut and his eye hairs trimmed. He's a yorkie and needs it bad!!

I am wondering about the consensus on taking him to PetSmart to get all the basics done. He goes nuts when he gets put on a table and then sees a stranger (vet) so I want to be sure that they will work with him there. I don't want just any body working on him.

How are they trained? Do they handle your pet well? How do they deal with nervous/scared pets? Any thought and opinions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[blonditz]

I've taken my dog to PetsMart for bath/ears/nails. When I went to pick him up his nails weren't done. They asked if I could help hold him down becasue he freaked out and thought he might be calmer with me there. We ended up with the dog muzzeled, me and 1 employee holding him down, and a second employee clipping his nails. Oh yeah, did I mention my dog is 16 pounds?
Overall I was happy. I would take him back there.

[navybaby1113]

Does you vet do stuff like that? I know every time I go to the vet (I use Banfield, which is in PetSmart) they'll clip my dogs nails and trim her eye and ears hairs if I ask them to.

[chitownmelli]

I use the grooming service at Petsmart for my Yorkie, Duff. They do a wonderful job, and he is normally a little skittish around new people and they took the time to get to know him when we were there making his appointment, which I thought was very nice. The price is very reasonable too. 14.99 I think at the puppy age, and then an adult groom for a dog of his size is 19.99. I don't like doing dog nails and I would pay the $20 just for that!

[luckyduckies]

If he is calm with you and your open to learning you can do it!It is so easy to groom little dogs...If you do a utube search i am sure they will have video of it.Nails are so easy as easy as clipping your own.Even adding those so cute bows are a snap!

If he hates his nails clipped play with his paws alot and spread his toes.Do it as often as you can & make it part of your petting routine.

[jrogalny]

Years ago I knew someone that groomed dogs at Petsmart. She dropped a dog. I know she didn't have any "official" training either. I take my dog to a groomer that is affiliated with my vet's office. She's awesome and I've been giving her business for at least 16 years now.

[Koolotus]

I have my dog done there. They are nice if you are ;)
He is pretty mellow but I do forewarn them that he doesn't like his front paws done. I guess if you give them a heads up it would be fine.
Stay in the store for awhile if your nervous. All the groomers are different so it depends on your petsmart

[mshopper]

My dog hates to have her nails trimmed. I took her to PetSmart and the young girl was unable to do it, even with me holding the dog. BUT!!...I tried a different PetSmart and found the most wonderful, experienced groomer who didn't take any crap from my dog and had her standing completely still by the time the first paw was done. When I make appointments I just make sure to ask for her and she and my dog love each other. So what I'm saying is that I agree with Koolutus...it definitely depends.

[jonjaktez]

I've never used Petsmart since it's 45 mins away but my dogs (3 of them) go to a local pet groomers and they are fantastic with my dogs. When Dixie was alive she went and had a great, calm time. Dixie was afraid of the noise from the trimmers and hated her paws to be touched but they were able to safely and calmly shape up her coat (clippers), clean up her paws (with sissors), and clip her nails.

[mom2Isaac]

My friend is a groomer at petsmart and she does a great job. They sent her away for a month to grooming school after a few months of her working there, and after two years she is going to go back to I guess move up on the ladder some more.

[Elhana]

Is that your yorkie in your avatar? We have two yorkies and groom them ourselves. BUT- we shave them close so they don't look like show yorkies. When they were puppies I would, on purpose, put my fingers in thier ears, eyes, and mouth and touch thier paws. It isn't hard to do if you have help to just keep them still (cause ours are wiggley little things that never have enough petting) to clip thier eye hairs or nails. Good luck, which ever way you go!

[chitownmelli]

My Duffykins goes today in fact for grooming. He needs his "mustache" cut. We've started his grooming routine young for him with daily brushing and handling his ears and paws a little, and he goes to petsmart for the whole shebang. He's pretty squirmy and I don't want to hurt him accidentally. We do hope that we can learn more about grooming and do it ourselves as he gets older.

[kval07]

Is that your yorkie in your avatar? We have two yorkies and groom them ourselves. BUT- we shave them close so they don't look like show yorkies. When they were puppies I would, on purpose, put my fingers in thier ears, eyes, and mouth and touch thier paws. It isn't hard to do if you have help to just keep them still (cause ours are wiggley little things that never have enough petting) to clip thier eye hairs or nails. Good luck, which ever way you go!

Yes, that's my dog Chester in my avatar. Caught him mid-yawn on the day I took him home. He gets brushed down every day and my fingers area always in his mouth checking out his teeth. I also look at his paws every day. He throws a fit when I try to clean out his eye boogers every day, and I don't have anything in my hands that could hurt him. I would like to try to trim his nails myself, but I don't want to hurt him. He has had a pretty traumatic life so far already! He broke his foot jumping off an 11ft high deck, jumped in to the lake and couldn't pull himself back up over the sea wall (never ran so fast in my life!) AND he was in the car when my fiance hit a deer!

[chitownmelli]

That's how I feel with the nails. Can anyone give me a tip about getting him to stop nipping at the brush. He's brushed every day, gently, and he likes to try and snap at the brush. Makes things much harder than they have to be.

[Cin42382]

I have had a bad experiences at Petsmart so I would not reccommend it especially for a Yorkie.

I have a silky and when we first got her we took her for the puppy package - nails trimmed, washed and dried. She ended up with what appeared to be razor burns on her stomach areas (they usually trim their private area from extra hair), a rash on her body, all of her nails were essentially cut off - there was Quik Stop on every nail yet the lady said none of them bled (then why put that stuff on ???).

2 of her nails have never grown back properly since then.

My BF's Aunt took her dog to a different Pet Smart for a bath and ended up with a horrible rash and skin infection from nose to tail.

If you have a yorkie, bath him or her yourself. You can get the tearless puppy shampoo and conditioners from the store, and they are small enough it takes no time at all. I'm scared to cut my little ones' nails so the vet does it for me.

[cupcake85]

I have a 7LB yorkie that I groom myself & take to the vet to get his nails trimmed. He's a wiggler but I've learned that if i put his leash on and wrap it around the door so he has very little room to run around it is soo much easier. It's just too hard to just try to hold his wiggly self.

[chitownmelli]

Aw Cindi, I feel so bad that your little one had a bad experience! It's sounding like the Petsmart grooming is really a YMMV situation as far as the good groomers go, wow. If I notice anything strange with Duff, I will stop taking him right away. So far, though, he loves going there, and everything has turned out great.

[Cin42382]

Aw Cindi, I feel so bad that your little one had a bad experience! It's sounding like the Petsmart grooming is really a YMMV situation as far as the good groomers go, wow. If I notice anything strange with Duff, I will stop taking him right away. So far, though, he loves going there, and everything has turned out great.

I'm sure its definitely YMMV. I dont know if they need training or certificates, but I'm sure its like any other job. you have some people who love animals and thats why they took a grooming job...and you have others that hate their job and don't care that they are hurting someone's baby:frown:

[Mommie22boys]

This is definitely a YMMV thing. Personally I would interview anyone who was grooming my dog, but since I am a groomer I do it myself. I started grooming and was trained at petsmart, but I got to know alot of the groomers from different stores in the area I worked, and many of them were wonderful and very kind and loving to the pets they groomed, but then some were just mean and did not care, it was just a job to them. A few minutes of your time to talk interview the groomer will possibly save you down the road, grooming can be a dangerous business, for the groomer and your pet, so it is important to be sure you baby is going to be safe. Ask questions like how many pets she grooms a day, less than 3 is not enough experience and more than 7 is too many (for an 8 hour shift). If you are asking questions and the groomer gets defensive RUN!! A good groomer will be willing to show YOU how to trim you own dogs nails, and how to do basic things at home, they will be more than happy to answer ANY questions and help you learn to do what is best for your pet's breed, they should have good knowledge of the different breeds needs. Yorkies for ex. have very sensitive skin, and should never have a slicker brush used on them, and are prone to clipper burn (hot blades leave the skin red, irritated, and possibly a rash, frequent blade changes are a must). The issue is not solely with Petsmart groomers, but with any groomer at any shop.

[chitownmelli]

Thank you very much for the information. It's very helpful to know what types of questions to ask.

Last time I got Duff back from the groomer he had all of his fur cut so short, he looked like a totally different dog. I only asked her to trim down his "mustache" and she took off all his face fur :( (I mean trimmed it down real short) I guess I didn't ask correctly for what I wanted. She did however do a wonderful job on him, so the fact that he looked really strange for a couple of weeks was not so bad lol!!!

[Mommie22boys]

You are very welcome! But next time, make sure you arrive a few minutes before your appointment time and show her what length and what hair you want taken off, she should be more than willing to spend some extra time making sure she is doing it exactly the way you want it done. And if there is a problem, like heavy matting or something she should tell you up front, by examining your baby, what she can or cannot do.

Most people don't understand how important it is to find a good groomer, your pet could be very seriously injured, and if a person grooms long enough they will have to deal with injuries and a pet's illnesses, it just all comes down to how that groomer treats the situation when it occurs. A inexperienced or uncaring groomer may very well not act appropriately and cause your pet to suffer and even possibly die (rare but it does happen)! I have given mouth to mouth to a shihtzu (not an easy task!) and had to take others to the vet for injuries, it does happen, and I would defiantely want a person who is going to know what to do and DO it!

[chitownmelli]

wow, I didn't even realize that asking for a particular length was an option. I really didn't want to seem like I was telling these ladies how to do their job. I think I will be taking Duff in soon. He has been doing well between grooms and I do want to see how his fur continues to grow, I haven't let it get real long yet, he could go for the bath, brush and more, though. Plus, he sure loves those ladies, which is nice.

The first time I went in there, it wasn't even to get him groomed, I was just asking questions about pricing and the procedure and stuff and the ladies came from behind the counter and started to get to know him, and invited us to come back and visit even when he wasn't being groomed so he would be more comfortable. That made me really happy.

[christinamikayla]

I use to groom at Petsmart. The way they train is they have the employee just do bath and brushes for at least 6 months and then if they think they are ready they will send them off to learn how to groom. After coming back from training they then have to groom 100 dogs and take before and after pictures. The 100 dogs are to be done with the trainee and the grooming manager. These dogs usually turn out perfect because of the time the manager takes teaching the soon to be groomer. Now maybe the training has changed in the past 2 years since I have been there..I am not sure. And like a few others say YMMV on getting a groomer who truly cares about your pet or not. If I was looking for a groomer I would go into Petsmart (without my pet) and just sit back and watch the groomers for a 1/2 hour or so to get an idea on how the pet they are working on is being treated. You can really tell which groomers are patient and which ones just want to get the dog out the door. And then if you see a groomer you like, get there name and book an appointment with that groomer.

[chitownmelli]

I want to get one of those fancy shower things that they have for bathing the dogs. My larger dog would probably appreciate it since she is afraid of water. I would never take her to a groomer to be bathed, that poor girl (my dog) would be scared out of her mind. It has already been a process to have ME bathe her, but now she stands there nicely and is not nervous any more.

I would probably bathe the little one if I had that too. He stands real nice for them, so he must really like that tool that they have.

[jenbob31905]

We took our dogs there once and never will again. The groomers didn't even file the dogs nails after they cut them! DH wasn't impressed with their services either.

[puakinikini]

I use a local small business in my neighborhood - great service and I feel like they really take the time to get to know my dog. We only go 3-4 times a year as our dog is pretty low maintenance.

[christinamikayla]

We took our dogs there once and never will again. The groomers didn't even file the dogs nails after they cut them! DH wasn't impressed with their services either.

Not trying to defend Petsmart at all b/c I do not know the situation completely but generally they do not file the nails unless the customer specifically asks for it. I use a dremel IF asked and IF the dog allows it. A lot of dogs get very nervous and will not let you dremel the nails..the vibartion and the sound scares them. And dremeling is usually an extra cost, at least it was at the Petsmart I was working at. Some groomers at other shops may include dremeling with the nail cut but for the most part this is an extra service.

[smiles]

My friend used to work in the grooming department and Petsmart. I used them once because I had a coupon. After I heard her horror stories I will not get my dog groomed there again. I use a small local dog groomer who does a lot more to my dog and is only $4 more than at Petsmart with the coupon.

[iamloved22]

We took our German Shepherd there right after we got her (she's 4 and new to our family) she doesn't do smaller animals very well (dogs, cat's, etc.) and I paid extra for the furminator deshedding treatment. She smelled better but the groomer tried to tell us she was still stinky because her ears were both infected - um we had just taken her to our (very trusted) vet earlier in the day - we had to rebrush her when we got home and she needs another bath after only a week and a half (she's been a breeders dog for 2 years so it's going to take more than one bath to "destink" her). The groomer said she did "the best she could" with the grooming since she wasn't being cooperative and wanted to, um, eat the little dogs.
Hubby and I decided we would take her somewhere else next time. The ear infection thing really threw us off and there are just too many distractions with all the windows & people & animals walking by all the time for her to remain calm for grooming.

[kval07]

I took my dog to PetSmart to get groomed a few times. He has difficulty with the shavers/razors/whatever you call them because of the noise they make. So the last time they decided to cut him with scissors. Big mistake. I went to pick him up and it looked like they gave a 5 yo a pair of scissors and said, "go cut that dog." For the amount of money I paid, I was severely disappointed.

I now take my dog to the Michigan Canine School of Cosmetology. They specialize in cutting with scissors. It takes the students longer but they have instructors who are there to supervise them the whole time. It only takes $30. I was very pleased with how well my dog looked and I will be going there from now on. It is a bit out of my way, but well worth it.

[reincarnation]

I haven't read all the replies....so forgive me if this is a repeat.

Entertainment coupon books have $10 off grooming.

We took our 'Shorkie' puppy and only paid $12. Call a hygiene Trim, and they clipped his nails.
(don't forget to tip like I did though.) :)

[smiles]

I took my pet to PetSmart once and never again. She got sick after getting groomed there, and she just seemed scared of it. Not long after that my friend started working there and she told me how they don't clean the cages between dogs. Some people have good experiences, but I just guess it depends on which PetsMart.

[christinamikayla]

I took my pet to PetSmart once and never again. She got sick after getting groomed there, and she just seemed scared of it. Not long after that my friend started working there and she told me how they don't clean the cages between dogs. Some people have good experiences, but I just guess it depends on which PetsMart.

I too worked at a Petsmart for 6 years. I don't think any of them clean the cages between dogs. Was your dog up to date on all of her vaccines? This will help her from catching some stuff. Now, if she caught kennel cough that can not be prevented by having a clean cage b/c it is air borne and very contagious. Not all vets give the kennel cough vaccine (aka bordatella) unless you ask for it. One dog could come in there for 5 minutes and get all the dogs sick. They work a lot with rescues and shelters so this is very possible they have a stray dog there that is unknowly sick.

[christinamikayla]

A grooming school is probably the cheapest and the place to get the best cut. Your dog is getting cut by a groomer in training but they are watched my the instructors who are most likely Master Stylist. They take their time on your dog and make sure to do everything perfect. It is not all about the money, it is about making your dog look its best.

I took my dog to PetSmart to get groomed a few times. He has difficulty with the shavers/razors/whatever you call them because of the noise they make. So the last time they decided to cut him with scissors. Big mistake. I went to pick him up and it looked like they gave a 5 yo a pair of scissors and said, "go cut that dog." For the amount of money I paid, I was severely disappointed.

I now take my dog to the Michigan Canine School of Cosmetology. They specialize in cutting with scissors. It takes the students longer but they have instructors who are there to supervise them the whole time. It only takes $30. I was very pleased with how well my dog looked and I will be going there from now on. It is a bit out of my way, but well worth it.

[sdasilva27]

NEVER again.

I took my chow to petsmart for the holidays because I didn't realize how early you had to call ahead to get an appointment for a groomer. I asked them just to give her a bathe and trim her feet hair so she'd smell good for christmas and so that grass stops clinging to her feet. When I got back 3 hours later (like I was told to), she still wasn't ready so I walked around the store until she was ready. When she was ready, I was told that I had to pay the $75!!!!! before they'd bring her out. I ended up paying $68 because they took my petco coupon so I was like okay, she'd better look freaking awesome for that much!!! When they finally brought her out, she still wasn't completely dry, and none of the hair had been trimmed or cut. When I questioned why, the lady said because she kept trying to pull her foot away and I wasn't going to let a chow bite me. I said this chow is nothing but sweet and has never even snapped at anyone, she just wasn't brought up with people touching her feet so it makes her nervous. I asked if I could wait while they did it since I had paid for it and I got told that it'd be an extra $20 to do it because she's "unruly" to work on. I saw the lady working on her while I was walking around when I first dropped her off, my chow stood perfectly still but did try to take her foot back. I told the lady, if you just don't let go, she'll let you do it and after a huge argument, I left and vowed I would never go back. If the lady was so scared of my chow, she shouldn't have lied to me, when I asked if she was experienced with chows. I asked when I called to find out the price (and was quoted $35) then again when I made the appointment, when they confirmed the appt, when I dropped her off, I asked 3 times and was assured every time that the lady has worked on many chows, akitas, pits, etc.

I'm sure it really does come down to the specific person at the specific store but I feel like they down right stole from me!

[christinamikayla]

NEVER again.

I took my chow to petsmart for the holidays because I didn't realize how early you had to call ahead to get an appointment for a groomer. I asked them just to give her a bathe and trim her feet hair so she'd smell good for christmas and so that grass stops clinging to her feet. When I got back 3 hours later (like I was told to), she still wasn't ready so I walked around the store until she was ready. When she was ready, I was told that I had to pay the $75!!!!! before they'd bring her out. I ended up paying $68 because they took my petco coupon so I was like okay, she'd better look freaking awesome for that much!!! When they finally brought her out, she still wasn't completely dry, and none of the hair had been trimmed or cut. When I questioned why, the lady said because she kept trying to pull her foot away and I wasn't going to let a chow bite me. I said this chow is nothing but sweet and has never even snapped at anyone, she just wasn't brought up with people touching her feet so it makes her nervous. I asked if I could wait while they did it since I had paid for it and I got told that it'd be an extra $20 to do it because she's "unruly" to work on. I saw the lady working on her while I was walking around when I first dropped her off, my chow stood perfectly still but did try to take her foot back. I told the lady, if you just don't let go, she'll let you do it and after a huge argument, I left and vowed I would never go back. If the lady was so scared of my chow, she shouldn't have lied to me, when I asked if she was experienced with chows. I asked when I called to find out the price (and was quoted $35) then again when I made the appointment, when they confirmed the appt, when I dropped her off, I asked 3 times and was assured every time that the lady has worked on many chows, akitas, pits, etc.

I'm sure it really does come down to the specific person at the specific store but I feel like they down right stole from me!


If you would of asked to speak to the store manager and told him what you were quoted he/she would of most likely given you the groom for $35 or at least half way between the $35 and $75. Just from my experience $35 is way to low for a Chow. We never charged that low even when I first started working there in 1999. But if that is what you were told then they should honor that and they usually will but you have to get the store manager involved. You could of also called back later that day or the next day to speak to the manager and told them you were unhappy with the groom and you could of got the whole amount refunded. Probably to late to go to the store manager now but you could write a letter to corporate and see what they have to say. You may get a refund or a free groom...worth a shot.

One more thing, did the groomer try to do the feet with a muzzle on? Anytime I am unsure about a Chow I use a muzzle..it does not hurt them and it keeps the groomer safe and can do their job better if they are afraid they may get bite.

[sdasilva27]

Well I thought $35 was reasonable because I had just asked for a bathe, not a cut. My chow that I had in MA, used to see an actual groomer for $65 which included the cut and I thought that was the hardest/most time consuming, maybe not.

This chow was just adopted a few months ago and was shaved one week before I picked her up. She still has only 1/3 of her coat because it hasn't all grown in yet. So I thought it was reasonable, anyway, I was just so mad that I wanted to get out of there. Mckenzie was badly abused, left to die, and then adopted out twice before I got her. She had very bad luck and when people start to argue, she starts to shake so I just wanted her to feel comfy by getting her back home. Not a typical chow, she's more scared from having not experienced the world than anything else. And if the lady had asked to put a muzzle on, I would have said fine, I know Mckenzie probably would fight it a bit but if she handed me the muzzle, Mckenzie would have let me put it right on. She didn't want to bother with anything, that's why I was so mad.

Thanks for your input, you're most likely right but with the holidays and everything, I just didn't want to have to go through all of that. I felt bad enough for raising my voice that close to christmas.

[christinamikayla]

Well I thought $35 was reasonable because I had just asked for a bathe, not a cut. My chow that I had in MA, used to see an actual groomer for $65 which included the cut and I thought that was the hardest/most time consuming, maybe not.

This chow was just adopted a few months ago and was shaved one week before I picked her up. She still has only 1/3 of her coat because it hasn't all grown in yet. So I thought it was reasonable, anyway, I was just so mad that I wanted to get out of there. Mckenzie was badly abused, left to die, and then adopted out twice before I got her. She had very bad luck and when people start to argue, she starts to shake so I just wanted her to feel comfy by getting her back home. Not a typical chow, she's more scared from having not experienced the world than anything else. And if the lady had asked to put a muzzle on, I would have said fine, I know Mckenzie probably would fight it a bit but if she handed me the muzzle, Mckenzie would have let me put it right on. She didn't want to bother with anything, that's why I was so mad.

Thanks for your input, you're most likely right but with the holidays and everything, I just didn't want to have to go through all of that. I felt bad enough for raising my voice that close to christmas.


Where I work now I would have no problem charging $35 for a Chow that does not have all of its coat grown in but at Petsmart it is different. Petsmart is a corporate owned buisness and the groomers have to go by breed when putting in charges. Depending on how strict each store manager is they could be fired for putting down a different breed (like a Beagle which is cheaper) then what the dog really is. I have seen groomers get fired for the stupidest reasons there and it is all these corporate made up rules that half the time the groomer does not even know all the rules. I could go on and on about that..it is a whole nother story.

And yes some groomers don't want to bother, which is how this one sounds. They are busy around X-Mas and have other dogs to finish. I am not saying that this is any reason to act the way that groomer acted. I'd say putting on a muzzle would of let the groomer finish on the feet. Your dog may have still jerked her paw away but the groomer would not ahve to worry about being bite. I know you say your dog would not bite but when a dog is scared they could do anything unexpected. My Chow lets me do anything I want..jumps on the table for me, in the tub, hands me her paw but for someone else I would not trust her..I would tell them to use a muzzle b/c Chows are unpredictable. Many groomers will not even touch a Chow but if this groomer was so experinced like she says then she would know all of this and have got the job done. I actually groomed a Chow about 2 months ago that was kicked out of the Petsmarts near me the day before b/c he growled at a groomer that passed by the table he was on. This freaked the groomer out and sent the dog home. He was fine for me until I picked up a paw to do nails. Then the muzzle had to be used but only for the nails. I allowed the owner to stay the whole time and hold onto the dog..another thing Petsmart no longer allows..if the owner is bite by their own dog they could sue Petsmart...I guess this happened at one of their stores. one of those corporate rules that if broken could get a groomer fired.
I am just so glad I am no longer working for them. Sorry for the rant.