Petco Grooming?
 

I was at my local petco today getting a body harness vs buddy's current collar which he chokes himself pulling so hard on the leash with, and happened to walk by the grooming room thing there.

Popped in knowing its almost a month since I got buddy's nails done and his first cut, and asked about pricing, because I like to keep him in a short puppy cut, his hair is so THICK and after only a few weeks here I found myself really struggling to get him brushed up the other day...

The first place I took buddy was a wag and tails salon, it was good but (to me) was a bit expensive,,, for a shampoo, cut, dry, ears plucked, and nails trimmed it was $43

Petco said shampoo, cut, dry, nails trimmed for buddy would be $25 total.

online it sounds like petco does the ears too so I am thinking it is a similar service just less money...http://www.petco.com/corpinfo_grooming.asp?webt=0&

It sounds like I am saving $20 a month to goto Petco over the groomer... but I wondered has anyone else ever gone to a Petco vs a groomer and not had a good experience?

I know I could have a bad experience at a groomer and pay more or I could have a good experience at a Petco and pay less, all depending on the person, in general I get that - but is there anything else I am missing?

I guess I will tell when I go to Petco's grooming on Friday morning, I will watch for the details they do at the groomer (trimming in between paws, pull ear hairs, etc), and see how good of a job Petco does vs the groomer.

Just curious what you guys and gals know about places that are chain stores grooming vs an exclusive groomer only.

Bill :)

I have had a a great experience with my local Petco. I have been taking mine two there for over a year. I go to the same girl every time and I bath them at home and just let them do what they call a quick cut, it's only $8.00 each. Just be careful with them putting your furbaby in a kennel and the dryer blowing on him that he doesn't get to hot. Bet Buddy will do great and look handsome.

How old is your puppy? They also charge by the age. I used them once but found them to be among the more expensive in our area, so I haven't gone back. But they did do a good job. Sylvia

I dont' think it would be fair to compare Petco in general to groomers in general because it would depend on the individual doing the actual grooming, you know? You would have to go in to visit on different days and observe them and how they work. I like that the Petcos and Petsmarts here have clear windows so you can watch the grooming from inside the store.

Buddy is about 11 weeks old now and weighs 3 lbs, I will give Petco a try here and yeah the big open window is nice, and I WILL make sure to be vocal about NOT putting buddy into a cage with a big heatgun on him, he is too small for that, and I was reading online (google search) how many dogs are burned this way (altho not sure if its true or urban legend) I will request he isn't just put in and dried in this manner heck give me a towel and 3 mins and I will have him 75% dry hehe...

Bill :)

I agree...I did that myself and could tell they were pretty gentle from observation and went ahead and made an appointment for minor trimming - ears etc.....It wasn't as good as I hoped....the thing I didn't like is they take them into the back where you can't see them - I've been to both places and did not have great results - but I think it was due to the groomers age...they were all young.

It's very hard to find a groomer you are actually happy with and if you do KEEP THEM !

Oh Bill, it's definitely not an urban legend about dogs getting burned at the groomer. Being new, you probably missed my post awhile back but it actually happened in the small town I live in to someone I know - and the poor Yorkie died. DEFINITELY a dangerous thing to do to a small dog if they aren't careful with it. I know a lot of people like the big window where you can watch what's going on so just keep an eye on your baby and all should be fine!

We have taken both of ours girls to our local Petco to have groomed and have been impressed with how well they do and how cheap they are...we like one groomer especially and always try and get her, she works really well with little dogs, so she knows how to keep them still...plus we like it there because you can get their teeth brushed and everything done for like $35!!!

I used to take sebastain and jasmine to petsmart to get groomed but then they opened a petco right up the street from me so i thought i would check it out. I love it but i have one advantage my moms friend is the groomer lol i didnt know that nor did i reconize her since i hadnt seen her in about 15 years. So now we always go there like today i called to make and appointment for saturday she said they were booked i said they are a mess they have been playing in the rain and rolling on the grass she said ok what the heck bring them in lol. Where i am petsmart is a little cheaper but i prefer my moms friend i pay $70.00 for both and they get the works. Now that i think about it what do you think is a good tip for her i bought her a plant last time cuz it was Easter but i'm not sure how much to tip her i dont want to insult her or anything

We just took Lillie to our local Petco today for her firsy "Puppy Cut" and they did a great job.

I think it totally depends on your town's Petco! I've watched through the window before and have not liked the way the dogs are being treated. They just aren't really as gentle and patient as I would like.

However on the flip side my breeder works at Petco doing grooming and if she was working I would let her do Syd in a second. She used to own her own grooming business and is a real pro. But some of her co-workers don't know what they are doing.

I would observe a little before taking your puppy anywhere.