Bow Wow Meow, San Francisco - my experience
 

So my puppy class included a coupon for Bow Wow Meow products and grooming, so I figured I'd give them a try.
I dropped Banksy off at 12:30 on Sunday

me: when he going to be done?
Bow wow meow: oh...well we close at 6 so no later than that"
me: uhh...ok, so when is he done?
Bow wow meow: did you ask for an early out?
me: what's an early out?
bow wow: oh - they should have asked you that when you made the appointment, only the people with early outs can get their dog at a certain time
[Mind you - when I called to make the appointment, the woman on the phone told me that they just sit in their cages the entire time and it's not fun because I was thinking of dropping him off on a work day and picking him up after work - so I made an appointment for a sunday so that he wouldn't have to be there all day]
me: great...ok, well, I'd like for his hair-
bow wow: uhh - dont tell me, just tell the groomer
me: ok then

me: i'd like the puppy cut - please trim his body a little and face so that he can see, no bows.
groomer: uhh..yeah, ok.
(3 hours later...)
he's just been bathed and his nails have been clipped, he's sitting in a crate being blow dried and looking rather miserable. there are 2 other dogs there

one hour later I call:
Bow wow: bow wow meow?
me: hi, my puppy Banksy is there and I was just wondering when he'll be done
bow wow: uhhh...hang on (seriously...5 min. later) Oh he's not going to be done until 6
me: really? I dropped him off at 12:30...it really takes 5 and a half hours to groom him?
bow wow: did you ask for an early out?
me: no - this is my first time, I didnt know about it
bow wow: well, I dont know what to tell you. He's not going to be done until 6 (incidentally, closing time). we'll call you if it's earlier
me: ok than--CLICK

around 5:15 they call me and tell me he's ready
I rush over. The girl brings me THE WRONG DOG.
bow wow: here you go
me: that's not my dog
bow wow: are you sure
me: yup, I'm sure
bow wow: ok...

they finally bring him out. they cut ALL the hair on his head and a lot on his face... he looks TERRIBLE. They DID NOT trim the hair on his body AT ALL. All in all, not a great experience.:thumbdown

I run into a woman getting into my car that tells me (1) only go there on Mondays and ask for Alex (2) tell them when they screw up and (3) his haircut looks cute!! (which just sorta made me feel better about it.)

This is one reason I groom my own. It's done the way I want it, takes a very short time to do, the dogs are not stressed a bit, they don't have to sit in a cage, they don't have to get their hair and skin all dried out with blow dryers and itch afterwards, I don't have to pay or even tip. :D Works for me.

uhhh...I didn't know I was supposed to tip! I guess I wouldn't have even if I'd known, but maybe I would have if you're supposed to...was I supposed to tip?? oops! I guess I'll never go back there again!!

This is why I began grooming.....I do groom, keep a slot of 2 1/2 hours for each dog. They are given a full body massage, hair from ear canals removed, teeth brushed, anal glands expressed,shampoo/ conditioner with warm towel body wrap. Hand dried on my lap, ears trimmed, nails and body trimmed to owners specification. Their dog is never caged, unless I cannot focus my full attention on them.

Wow, I had a bad experience at Pet Smart but not that bad. Its hard finding a good groomer, just like trying to find a good hair dresser!:p

How awful!

Me too:thumbup: :thumbup:

I had o horrible experience at Pet Smart too:thumbdown :thumbdown

Wow, I would like to make an appt. If only you lived closer! :D

This is why I got up the nerves to groom my own. I went to several PetSmart and PetCo's, just to survey, and the people grooming there looked so young, and erm, kinda careless. Dogs or luggage? Who cares? This is a dead end job anyway... was the feeling.
Next I called a grooming place by my home, and they wanted $42 per dog, and they needed 4-5 hours. No, you could not watch the dogs getting groomed, and they had one drying cage they used for dogs that did not sit well for the manual dryer. I made an appt, then called back and canceled after 15 minutes of stressing out over it.
Next I am driving behind this really cool van, that is a groomer who does house calls! I jot down the number and call. They are not taking new clients.
Next, I post here, out of pure desperation. My pups are looking like the Shaggy DA.
I get lots of links, photos, encouragement and advice. Someone even recommended a yorkie grooming DVD.

I had no hair cutting or grooming experience at all. In fact, hair is a mystery to me. I am in awe of people who cut hair (how do they not lose their place?)

I bought this DVD online, and watched it a few times. I got a mid priced clipper and plan to get a decent pair of shears very soon. Some combs and a slicker, and puppy cut them myself. Very cute, if I do say so. One looked a little to schnauzery for my taste, but I figured out that was from trimming the sides of the face hairs too much, and then leaving a longer beard. fortunately, I did the little at a time school of cutting, and it's growing back quickly.

I have read so many posts here about dogs coming back from the groomer funky looking. Aside from the cost, and the appt making, and the stress of it (on me and the dog) there is the fact that they could end up all weird looking. And you can't fix that. If you're lucky, you don't have to pay.

Teresa

may i ask where in tx do you live lol?

I'm in Colleyville, TX. I see your from Wichita Falls, was there this weekend.