This is to everyone downing every petco and petsmart. Because there are so many petco's and petsmarts there are going to be a lot more stories about wether there grooming is good or bad. EVERY petco and petsmart is different! I took Callie to about a million different groomers and the best groomer I found and am with right now is one from petco and it doesn't make me "cheap" or anything else because I go to a chain store groomer! It actually costs more to get her done at petco then at the private groomer. There are good groomers at petcos and petsmarts but some people just close there minds because they are a chain store and because they think a private groomer is better and costs more. Ugh I am just annoyed that people think EVERY petco or petsmart groomer is the same. Its like saying every yorkie is the same or every person on yorkietalk is the same.

:yeahthat:

When I got Duke, the first place I took him to get groomed was Petco. I needed some place quick and they were all I really knew about.

Well, I didn't think of anything when he was done, they said he was good, he acted fine and all was well. A little while later, for the next groom, I took him to Petco again.

Well he refused to go in the grooming side- had no issues with the retail side. Once I finally got him into the door, he sat scared in the corner. That right there should have told me something wasn't right, as he has never done something like that before. But we finally got him into the grooming area and he went on with his groom.

I never took him back. No idea what happened the first time, but whatever it was it was good and he remembered.

I realize not all places are like this...but for whatever reason he will never go back there...

Of course I understand that not every groomer is bad nor every location, I was just venting about a horrible experience that I had, And just wondering if others had had the same experience to relate to whether it be Petco, Petsmart or any other bigger chains. I'm sorry if it sounded like i was being disrespectful in any way...believe me I'm glad your groomer does an awesome job your lucky..i will hopefully find the groomer for us. But to be honest im (not trying to be disrespectful) im thinking Petco is more about quantity vs. quality kinda like a cost cutters vs. a nicer salon. And i'd just rather pay more for a more personal experience.:)

You are probably right. I don't think that Petsmart or Petco is any cheaper than anywhere else. Actually their prices are about the same or as I have found, sometimes more expensive. I took Max there the first few times to get groomed, but I would never be fully satisfied especially after paying $56 a pop.

I don't think that those of you that go to Petsmart or Petco are cheap, I think that you are lucky to have found a groomer that you are happy with there.

She's still so cute. I would contact the management. Actually, print out your post. It was great.

My first yorkie's puppy cut was worse. They put a bandana on him, which I thought was cute, so I left it on 3 days. Well, it turns out it HID a nasty cut!!!! Caused skin problems for months! It was awful.

You are correct not all stores are the same. I don't think going to PetSmart or Petco makes you cheap either. Grooming can be expensive no matter where you go. To be fair I have used Petsmart for my Lab/chow mix (she hates water so getting her groomed is worth every penny) and they did a beautiful job with her. She also didn't require a haircut. They just turned me off when I was in there and they told me that they didn't have time to deal with my puppy that was nervous about grooming and told me to take him somewhere else.

I think groomers are like hairstylists...one person might love them, and the next person may not.:D

I forgot to mention, my bad experience was with a private groomer.

I wasnt referring to you and if they mistaked the sex of my dog I would be very upset. I actually pay quite a bit at my petco but I get the rush service because she would be a reck if i left her there for more then an hour and my petco does give a personal experience it just depends on the groomers and each individual petco. I have gotten some really bad grooming at some really expensive doggie salons.

I was just about to comment on this and came across your posting here, which is similar to what I was going to say. Honestly, it's the groomer that makes the mistake, not where you get it done. I've found some great groomers in Petsmart (never have been to Petco), and local private owned groomers as well. Of course, Petsmart and Petco should take a little care in who their hire and take responsibility for the carelessness of these "bad" groomers, maybe train them better; but you shouldn't diss the establishment itself for the bad grooming on your pup. Some groomers have more experience than others. I always make sure that when my Maya is groomed- that the groomer (now I have one groomer- at a Petsmart, mind you) has been grooming long enough to know how to groom a yorkie. She does an excellent job, too! I'm always very satisfied, and yes, I know what it's like to have a bad job done on your dog. Been there, done that. It's not fun, but it does grow back luckily. :) I think it might even be a good idea to do some research online to check online reviews of local places around you. And someone mentioned earlier about sitting in on their first grooming- that's a great idea. Good luck in your search for a new groomer. And I think Chloe is beautiful regardless of her hair being shaved! :D
Oh and hopefully this doesn't offend anyone- but I never let a teenager work on my dogs, lol. I'm sure there are some great young groomers, but when it comes to my dogs, I need the experience on my side. I don't like to take chances (though this is no guarantee either, lol). You never know what you're going to get really, it's a gamble regardless.

Your Chloe is still a cutie pie...but I can understand you anger. I had a simular thing happen to my Chloe , it wasn't a petsmart....it was at her normal grooming shop , but with a new groomer. I thought I made myself crystal clear ...but I returned to find Chloe with all the hair between her eyes shaved and her top knot all but gone :mad::( I was so angry ! She looked like a crazed little lion :mad:

As for Petsmart....I used them some. I have had both good and bad experences with them. One I went to was horrid , and the other was actually OK.

I had to take Sydney to Petsmart because she went CRAZY when at any other groomer , even our vet's grooming shop , to the point they wouldn't groom her unless she was sedated!( which we wouldn't do) :eek: But she was perfectly OK and calm at petsmart :confused: so since we usually just had her shaved anyway ( she's not a yorkie ) they really couldn't screw up much on her...but I will be shaving her myself ( atleast I will try) so we can avoid petsmart for her.