Dog Grooming Cost - Buyer Experiences and Price Information

We love Pretty Pets in Dobbs Ferry. They are reliable, caring, knowledgable, and flexible. They provide excellent service.

I have been a professional groomer since 1979. I groomed in small shops,large shops, even Petsmart.
I groom part time in my home 8 years now I keep prices very, low to help people who have trouble affording . small dogs 20.00 med, ie cockers, border collies etc 25. I do St Bernards and similar breeds for 50.00. I try explaining to new clients I keep prices low is to encourage people to get pets done more often so they do not become filthy,matted messes with underlying skin problems. I clip hair, bathe, trim nails clean ears. I book appts early a.m late evening also weekends. I've kept dogs overnight for people who asked in a pinch. they call last minute, show up early,late, the average dog's done in 1 1/2 hr most want sooner. I've groomed several breeds for show over the years so everyone gets the best possible quality clip. I groom because I love animals (not the owners) I take offense at those who feel tipping should not happen. really? how much do you think hot water, clippers and high power dryers cost? how much do you think shampoo and conditioners cost? how much do you think each clipper blade is? I have 3 of every size including snap on combs. many dogs bite, pee and poop everywhere(especially when owners are too lazy to walk them right before they come in. I have never sedated an animal and won't start now, but when their dogs who get groomed 2 times a year are scared and nervous I get accused of scaring them, traumatizing them with my clippers and accused of sedating because the dogs don't want to come once a year or once every six months. but hey non tipper do you tip your hair dresser??? and do you vomit on her or pee on her or poop on her table, floor or do you bite her? and just remember wgen to do go to a shop instead of someons home,the groomer gets 50% of the 40.00 you paid and she/he still has to supply all tools. and for those who enjoy grooming your own pet great... but there are many many more who don't or can't.

GRooming takes a lot of time giveng hair cuts ,each dog is diffrent and needs help in may ways. Grooming for one dog of the same size will have a very diffrent price depending on coat cunditions and behaver . The main cunsern a owner should have, is my puppy happy on pick up,and their are no cuts or brush bern. Ever groomer should love the pets that walking throw thier doors they are just as inportant as are children. AS a groomer my only cunsern is my four leged friends welfare. Some time I have a dog on my tabel for 4hrs and other time only 1hr and have to charge the same price for the same resolts because it's needed and that brakes my hart. pleace put more time into your pets if your not all ready . sincely a pet lover

went and got my 2 poodles hair done. A few days later my dog had a vet appointment and found out my dogs ears have never been plucked. Never thought I had to pay attention since I have been paying for this service. 2nd problem we have had there will never go back again.

Grooms at groomingdales start at $20 and go to about $35 depending on the size and how long the coat is on the dog. Very reasonably priced and a pug is about $20 while a full size longhair dachshund is about $28.

Someone mentioned they took their 5 month old wheaten for its first groom and the groomers said it was psycho. Wheaten puppies have very long hair for their size. It's thick and cottony. It mats very easily. Puppies in general have ZERO tolerance for tangles being brushed out. Puppies do NOT hold still. Puppies do not understand what's going on and can't be blamed. Owners can be.
You took your pet to the groomer for his/her first grooming way too late. Is better to start grooming a puppy at as early an age as possible. Doesn't mean you have to get a haircut for them, but they do need to adapt to a bath, being blow-dried (loud machine to a little puppy!), to being handled and restrained. IE: Holding a paw, lifting the tail, holding and tilting the head, lifting ears, plucking, etc.
Some groomers will tell you if your puppy has problems with grooming, others will not. I would rather understand that there is a problem so I can learn how to help my little furry friend, then find out further down the road when he/she gets accidentally hurt. Imagine trying to scissor hair close to a dog's body when they will not hold still. Now realize that the scissors groomers use are /very/ sharp, more so then standard scissors.
Groomers aren't out there to gouge people for money or make you unhappy, but we do charge for the time and effort that goes into making your pet look good. And we WILL look out for the pet's best interest. If a groomer tells you your dog is too matted to brush, or too stressed out/hyper/aggressive to groom, trust them.

I use Groomingdale's in Norfolk. They have been around since 1979 and are very reasonably priced. They are gentle with older pets, puppies, and rescues. They take better care of each dog's specific needs than a corporate company would.

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I just wanted to say, that I went to petco for my dog's first puppy cut when she was 5 months old. When I picked her up, I was made to be very embarrassed, because the person who groomed my dog told me that my dog was PSYCHO. After that and hearing numerous horror stories from many of my friends and coworkers about going to these chain stores for grooming, I will never go to places like petsmart or petco again. I found a great groomer in Bethlehem who has their private shop. I honestly feel that they know what they are doing a lot better than those chains. If you have a lesser known breed like my soft coated wheaten, big chains are not going to understand the requirements on how to groom your breed of dog. Find someone who knows the breed!

I had adopted a very matted pompom from a lady and took her to petco. The lady was very nice when I told her I just wanted her to have an even shave all around. At first she was like "Don't worry I will try to leave long hair around the head but the body is so matted I might have to shave her pretty close" I told her I wanted it short all around and she did just that. The dog was clean and happy when I picked her up and they gave me advice on how to keep her groomed until my next visit :) They were very nice even though they were very busy!

My 5+ month puppy was groomed & clipped exactly as I requested. I did not want the PW dog stylish cut with pom-pom head and close cut rear!!! We were very happy with the PetSmart grooming service in the Jenkins Beach store.

I made an appointment at the Petco in Cedar Hill Tx. To find when I arrived on a Wednesday a rude woman who proceded to tell me it she had a dog like mine she would shave it down. Now my dog gets combed not brushed so I should know if it was matted. This groomer proceded to tell me that most of her customers like their dogs short. I repeated that I wanted jut a bath and under the eyes cleaned up. When I picked my pet up I was handed a receipt to take to the register. My charges were 65.00. When i got my dog home he was wagging his tail because he was happy to see the kid. I was following behind him and noticed under his tail he was completely bald. They shave him completely bald . I will never go back and I hope I never see the groomer who did this to my dog. My normal groomer had closed for a funeral. I will never use them or recommend Petco

First a Tip is like any other service gratuity. If the customer offers then great. If not then great. Never expect one an less your a waitress/waiter who living is tips. Grooming Prices are out of control in these franchises. Petco for instance has a base fee,plus a grooming fee if dogs body is touched which can multiply. They charge for medicated shampoo, oatmeal shampoo, brushing teeth and will even slide an extra $2 dollar charge in there for a dental sealant if you dont inspect your charges.
Petco is the highest in price followed by Petsmart. Groomers are paid a commission the service you buy.
Whether a Pet store retail enviorment or a Private salon you find good groomers and not so good. No different than the human hair salons. Good and bad. Some better than other.
One thing that is very important is the communication between the pet owner and the groomer so that the pet is done properly. Yes there are those times when your pet will come out shaved if your pet is matted beyond repair. Hurting a pet brushing out the knots to satisfy your appearance is wrong. If you want your pet to look like the breed it is meant to be then maintain your pet at home. Long haired breeds need brushed at least twice a week.

If you tip your hairdresser, you should tip your groomer who works a heck of a lot harder. It's a service profession that relies on tips.