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Does anyone remember the days when quality actually meant something (rather than quantity)? I guess in today's world of more, more, more, it's all about getting the most bang for the buck, regardless of the consequences. That's now true in the dog grooming world as well.

I'm not sure how many of you are familiar with Debbie's Tidy Dog in Florence, but for years now it has been the best place to take your pooches for a good bathing and trimming. Over the last year or so, however, there has been a significant change in the quality of their service.

Yesterday my wife took both of our dogs (a Spitz/Poodle mix & a Golden Retriever/German Shepherd mix) to get bathed and trimmed up for the long hot summer. She dropped them off at 10 a.m. and was told that they would be ready by 4 p.m. She was a little late picking up the dogs and actually arrived at Debbie's around 4:20 p.m. at which time she was told that the larger dog was not ready (frustrating). Added to that was the fact that the groomer had to explain to my wife that my spoodle had a really bad cut on her stomach where they had cut her (again...frustrating, but I can see where it can happen occasionally).

10-15 minutes later they eventually finished with the larger dog and brought him out to the car due to the fact that my wife had the kids in the car. They then had to explain to my wife that he had blood on his paw where the groomer had clipped his nails too short (good grief!). On top of that he didn't even get the trimming that he went in for...he only got bathed (WHAT?!?)! Obviously the groomers were trying to rush him through because they knew my wife was waiting and instead of doing a good job they just did what they could as quickly as possible. I guess they didn't have time to trim him either.

It's apparent that the name of the game at Debbie's Tidy Dog has now become quantity rather than quality. As their prices go up their service and quality of work continues to go down. They'll take as many dogs as they can possibly take and do whatever they can just to get them out the door with the cash in hand!

I can assure you that my dogs will no longer be going to Debbie's Tidy Dog for anything, and if you care about the treatment your pets receive you may want to think about it as well.

"When you trust your television, what you get is what you got. Cuz when they own the information they can bend it all they want."
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Unfortunately, we've had some several issues with most every groomer that is or was in the area in the past 10 years. Our little girl is precious to us and she is very well behaved but she gets very nervous. I don't understand why we have to take her in at 10 and pick her up at 4. Why should it take 6 or 8 hours to bathe and trim a 12 pound dog? She doesn't have to sit in a cage for hours at home, why must she do that at the groomer? I could understand if I needed to drop her off on my way to work and pick her up on the way home but I don't. We are always prepared to pick her up as soon as she is done. We most recently took her to Pet Depot and they were very punctual and she didn't have to stay all day. They did a good job and the price was reasonable. We did have to wait a couple of days for an appointment but that's much better than the previous issues. I hope we continue to have good experiences there but I really think a good groomer with a professional attitude and time mangement skills could make a killing in our area!

We also like the folks at Dog House but their hours are so limited it's sometimes difficult to get an appointment.
quote:
Originally posted by esaerbeth:
We have been regulars at Debbie's for years and have always received excellent service. Our dog is always happy to go there so I feel confident she is being treated well. Our dog is clean, well groomed, and trimmed when she comes out. We have never had any problems.


I can assure you that you're in the minority.
I have two poodles and live in Killen also. There isn't anyone around here and I always have to "wait and wait" for my dogs to be finished. (Up to an hour and half after 7 hrs of time.) One dog always has razor burn on his face and they are so thirsty, their collars were lost once and they need to do better. High maintenance dogs that I pay good $$ and should have better service. There is a need for someone is my area that could make a good living if they were professional, efficient and cared.
quote:
Originally posted by kwebsurfers:
I have two poodles and live in Killen also. There isn't anyone around here and I always have to "wait and wait" for my dogs to be finished. (Up to an hour and half after 7 hrs of time.) One dog always has razor burn on his face and they are so thirsty, their collars were lost once and they need to do better. High maintenance dogs that I pay good $$ and should have better service. There is a need for someone is my area that could make a good living if they were professional, efficient and cared.


Agreed! The next time I get my pets groomed, I think I'm going to try the lady in Rogersville, so I'll try to remember to post my thoughts. I've heard good things. From what I understand it's a small shop that tries to give the animals more individual attention rather than rushing them thru.
quote:
Originally posted by puppy love:
i use dog house on wood avenue ,have for about 10yrs never a complaint my dogs even like them,they like the treats they give them when they are going home


I beg to disagree. I took my mom's shih tzu mix over there and the lady was trimming her with the shears and laid them on her belly -- the dog was struggling to get away and she held her down with the hot shears on her stomach...but by golly she got her shaved. When I went to pick her up, the dog clung to me like a baby and sat very quiet and still because she hurt so badly. The lady said "Let me explain -- she's got sensitive skin and these are 'hot spots' -- lots of breeds get them" -- that didn't make sense, but I paid and went home. When I got her home she wouldn't leave my lap -- when I got to looking at her she was BURNED...I took her to the vet the next morning and she had 2nd and 3rd degree burns on her stomach from the hot shears. When I called the lady the next day -- she denied she'd done anything wrong. I asked "did you not notice the dog was in pain?" "No all dogs struggle they don't like getting groomed" -- I said 'I wouldn't either if you were burning the crap out of me -- I'd have bit you good." She said she'd refund my money and pay the vet bill." I told her "why would you pay a vet bill if you didn't do anything wrong? You knew you were hurting my dog and you didn't care enough about her to stop and realize what you were doing -- more dogs to groom in line." We reported her to the Pet Police at the time and they investigated and took pictures but nothing was ever done to her. You couldn't pay me to take my dog back to the place on Wood AVe.

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