Tesslan Dog Spa

I had an awesome experience at Tesslan Dog Spa, and more importantly, my pups did as well! I chose Tesslan because of its «low stress» approach to dog grooming. My dogs have told me in the past that they found the groomers to be stressful (or at least, I think that’s what they were trying to say), so I wanted to make sure that we weren’t taking them to someone who would not be rough or impatient with them. Tesslan definitely fits the bill.
ENVIRONMENT
Tesslan looked bright and clean, and all grooming is apparently done with aromatherapy and calming music. They are crate-​free! Which is amazing, because some other groomers will let your dog sit in a cage for hours while waiting its turn, which I really don’t like.
SERVICE
Tess, the owner, is an extremely sweet, cheerful, and patient lady who really loves dogs. She got along really well with my pups and was very complimentary about them even though they both have weirdo personalities. Her colleagues also seemed very nice and gentle with the dogs. In addition, Tess was very patient with me as I explained all the weird nuances of how I envisioned my dogs’ new hairdos.
GROOMING
The full service groom (which I got for both of my dogs) included a massaging bath, a relaxing blueberry facial massage, external gland expression (for small dogs), and gentle ear cleaning with solution.
Tesslan hand blow-​dries their dogs with something called a «happy hoodie» to protect the dog’s ears from the noise, which is great because I know from personal experience that my dogs hate the sound of blow dryers. They also included a nail trim AND file.
For the haircuts, Tess is amendable to doing whatever the customer wants. I had custom haircuts for my dogs, and they followed my instructions perfectly. When I came to pick up my dogs, they were super happy-​looking, and adorable. I could see that the groomers had taken special care with the dogs’ paws, ears, and tail areas. I was really, really pleased with the results.
COST
I do think that Tesslan Dog Spa may be a little more expensive than some other groomers (for my dogs, it was $ 75/​each), but I think it is well worth it! The full service groom included ear-​cleaning, a nail trim, and nail failing. Lots of groomers will add extra costs for ear cleaning. I think that even Petsmart charges $ 8 for a nail trim and $ 15 for nail filing. With Tesslan, it’s all inclusive.
Tesslan also gives 10% off for first visits and free nail trims between grooming for «preferred clients». In addition, they have a punch card system for a free $ 75 grooming after a certain number of visits (I think it’s 10, I don’t remember completely. They let my two dogs share a punch card!).
I would also take into account the intangible peace of mind from knowing that your dog is being handled gently and not being traumatized by a rough groomer.
RESULTS
LOOK AT MY DOGS! They are super clean and adorable. I highly recommend Tesslan Dog Spa. Or at least look them up on Facebook and see all the cute photos they post :-)

I first took my dog there about the time Tesslan opened and Tess was solo. She did a very nice job and even put a little scarf on him. However she charged me $ 10 more than initially quoted which was already pricey. My dog gets a lot of outdoor play and does a lot of running and running with me when I ride my bicycle so he gets weed seeds and small tangles as a result.
Each of the next 3 visits found more and more help and my dog was no longer happy about being there. Each time I was charged the higher than quoted fee by $ 10. The use a brush that pulls hair and that hurts my dog. I showed them the brush I use which probably takes more time but doesn’t pull hair causing pain. Tess response was that her brush is what the supplier recommends. I was getting less and less happy.
The last time I took my dog in I was told they could not finish because my 29 pound very loving dog threatened them by showing his teeth. No wonder they tear his hair out and he doesn’t like it. I was called to come pick him up and due to traffic arrived 15 minutes later than I had anticipated. The job was only half done, my dog was unhappy and she charged my $ 100 and told me not to come back. Of course I won’t. Somebody working there hurt my dog and I was always overcharged.

First day here and I was very please and my puppy seemed to be as well.
We were here for doggy day-​care which they have for puppy’s up to about 25 lbs mine is 5 months and 15 lbs. I checked out some other doggy day-​cares but they were overrun with dogs barking constantly and that wasn’t what I wanted for my dog. She was with 2 or three other dogs in a very pleasant atmosphere. They were grooming 3 or 4 dogs in one area and the day care is in another room. Although the kind owners had my pup visiting in the lobby, the day care area and on the treadmill (they filmed it and it was the pace of a fast walk) which is in the area of the grooming. She was pooped when I picked her up. I went for the Zen care and they also took her for a walk outside. The owners are kind and seem to really like what they’re doing

There is a reason this place has 5 stars. Friendly, great environment, happy dog! Happy owner.

Very happy with our service today. Staff is friendly and professional. My dog looks great. Tess is clearly passionate about what she does. We will definitely be back.

I am absolutely in love with Tess and her team. I took my 4 month old Yorkie in today for her first time grooming and they did such an amazing job.
I must also add that they also offer doggy play time. Not only did I come back to a pretty pup but also to a tired one from a fun full day with other dogs. Thank you Tess!!!

Absolutely LOVE Tessa & the staff at Tesslan Dog Spa! I’m new to the Western Washington area and when I meet Tessa the first time was very impressed of her facilities & her process of taking care of our fur baby!
I have added 2 photo so you can see HOW ADORABLE she looks after coming out! Tessa treated my baby like she was hers and was beyond confident to leave her in their care. I have been getting my miniature-​Yorkie styled ⁵⁄₆ years she has been alive & have never been SO HAPPY if you are looking for a good dog groomer, look no further!
I know that I will be going back to Tesslan Dog Spa & no one else because from day 1 I have just been blown away with the service but most of all my baby Missy had a loving experience. There is no price you can put on sending your fur baby to a place you know she will be taken care of. Tessa is low-​stress handler that uses very gentle techniques I’ve never even heard of until I came into Tesslan Dog Spa.
My boyfriend & I first came in without our dog to see what Tesslan Dog Spa had to offer & were given a full facility tour, a walk through on everything that goes on from when she is dropped off to when she is picked up and was blown away! When we scheduled a hair appointment & nail clipping she was a little nervous but I knew she in caring hands. Tessa spoke with me and we clearly discussed what I did want her hair to look like, how long in length from every part of her body would be, and the attention to detail was amazing! (I was being asked questions that I’ve been asked before!) When I left I really had ZERO anxiety about leaving her there. They called me back in a few hours (2 at the most) as they said they would to let me know she was ready to be picked up & didn’t make me wait around or wait when I got their. For the first time she was not anxious to be back with me. She was acting like we were home and her energy was at ease and very calm.
I give the overall experience from start to end a ¹⁰⁰⁄₁₀₀ A+
Please take a look at the photos of my baby Missy, the proof is in the pudding! She is wearing a striped shirt with a red heart & the other one is in my Mercedes :]
If anyone wants more pictures I will be more than happy to share!
If I could give them more Stars I defiantly would!
We are life long customers & definitely recommend Tessa & Tesslan Dog Spa

Great Work — just what I described that I wanted!

I had a bad experience with Tesslan today.
When I got Shadow home I noticed that she had some red marks in her armpit. I figured it was just a little razor burn (not totally uncommon), but I was a little upset to see it since Tess advertises herself as a totally low-​stress handler, with ultra gentle techniques. Shadow’s last 2 appointments didn’t leave any marks, and she’d seemed just fine. Out of curiosity, I looked more closely at her chest, belly and back legs and was alarmed to see that one of her nipples had been nicked and was bleeding, and she had several more red abrasions or burns of some kind on areas of her belly and hind legs. I took pictures and called Tess to tell her what had happened.
Tess was very disbelieving and defensive about the possibility the marks could’ve come from her shop. She said if Shadow «did indeed have any nicks or cuts,» she’d help me treat them with colloidal silver so they wouldn’t be an issue. Fortunately, I had time to bring Shadow right back in, whereupon Tess examined her belly, used her finger to rub the blood off Shadow’s nipple, and began saying (something very much like), «I don’t think this is from grooming. I think it’s something else. You need to take her to a vet to be sure, but I don’t think this is from the razor. These spots don’t look anything like razor burn or issues from grooming.»
I told her that if she felt that sure it wasn’t her shop’s fault, I’d post my pictures on Unilocal and let potential customers decide if they wanted their dogs to look like that when they picked them up. She immediately became more concessionary, and said how much she loves her clients (her babies she calls them), and would never want an owner to be upset. But she maintained that only a vet could tell her if the marks were from grooming or whether «something else» was wrong with the dog. I told her I’d go to her vet that moment if she set it up and paid for it. She did just that, with Cat & Dog Clinic, and the vet fit me in within 10 minutes.
The vet examined Shadow and said that while she couldn’t absolutely say for sure they were from grooming (which of course is true, since she wasn’t present when the grooming was happening), the marks were from an injury, not any kind of skin condition, and looked to have happened recently. Shadow’s nipple was cut and would need some antibiotic ointment. The red marks, she thought, may have come from very hot clippers against her skin if indeed grooming was the cause. She said she’d call the groomer to tell her her opinion, and suggest she may want to supervise the employee who had groomed Shadow more closely. Then the doc proceeded to tell me some true horror stories she’s seen after grooming visits. I felt thankful Shadow’s injuries weren’t serious, but avoiding trauma like that is the reason I chose Tesslan, and why I pay their prices and sometimes wait 7 weeks to get in to see them. The vet said several of their staff take their pets there because of her claim of low-​stress handling. I agreed that my prior visits had all been fine and this seemed unusual.
I called Tess to tell her what the vet had said. I told her more than anything I was upset that she wanted to try and disclaim responsibility for Shadow’s condition. Tess said she was sorry, she’d really watch this new staff member carefully, and vented a bit about how hard it is to find people to work in the way she wants them to. She said she’d grown to over 700 clients and couldn’t handle all the work herself. She was having to hire «experienced» groomers and several of her recent ones hadn’t worked out. I asked her to refund my grooming fee and she said she would, all the while assuring me she has integrity and love for her clients and wants the best for everyone. I was feeling appeased and forgiving. She suggested I stop back by for my refund, which I did about 10 minutes later.
By the time I got there, the vet had called. Suddenly, Tess’ tone had changed. She said the Vet told her she «couldn’t be absolutely sure» the marks were from grooming. She used the Vet’s caveat (of not having been present to witness the injury) to suggest once again that there was doubt that the marks were caused by them. Further, she suggested I go elsewhere in the future for Shadow’s grooming needs so I could find someone who could handle her the way I preferred (i.e. not burning and cutting her). When she saw I was upset, she said I could have just HER groom Shadow, but she was overbooked already with aggressive or higher-​need dogs and my wait would be long.
Now I was angry. I felt I’d been reasonable. I hadn’t rushed to smear her on Unilocal,or demanded my money back without being willing to jump through her hoops (including seeing the vet she insisted upon)… I just wanted her to know her staff was injuring dogs (which is something I’d want to know as a business owner), and for her to take responsibility.
Instead, I got a begrudging refund, and a suggestion to go elsewhere.

We had such a great experience here! They were so nice and really did a great job with grooming our dog! I was very impressed! I highly recommend them!!!

First time customer and it was a great experience. My dog is in the 45 pound price range and didn’t need any styling, but he smells so good and I could tell they took great care of him.
They also have me a new customer discount without me asking, as well as a follow up call the next day. Jennifer and Tess are both fantastic! They are very busy so I recommend scheduling your next appointment when you pick up your dog.

I can’t say enough about how wonderful Tess and her staff are. We adopted Maisie 4 months ago, a senior miniature schnauzer, who had severe issues with sensitivity. Tess took the time to walk me through the spa and explain how she groomed. Her methods are exactly what the behavioral vet had advised for Maisie. They know what they are doing here!
If you have a sensitive or senior dog you must give Tess a call. Actually any dog — most dogs don’t love going to the groomer but they make it so easy on them that all dogs should get to have such a great experience!
Maisie looked incredible when I picked her up but more importantly she was so happy and relaxed. I swear she has an extra spring in her step. If I could give 10 stars I would — I was stunned at what an amazing job they did with her and immediately set up her next grooming appointment. My only regret is that I didn’t find Tess sooner — my previous schnauzers would have loved it here.

Update: I took my miniature poodle back here for a full grooming and Summer cut to help her beat the heat. Tess and her team did such a great job! Usually when our dog gets her annual summer cut we call her Meerkat Molly for a couple of weeks… not this time! They knew what looked good on her, and followed my instructions to not give her the cookie cutter poodle cut. We opt for the even, labradoodle-​type trim and they did a great job. The receptionist even called me the next morning to tell me how sweet and well-​behaved my dog was. This place is a little pricier than others I’ve been to for a full groom, but for the service and great job they did (no meerkat!) I will definitely be taking her back here.

Tess and her team do an excellent job grooming my 11lb shih-​poo every time! I usually drop my dog off for doggie daycare and add the spa service. When I pick him up at the end of the day, he’s not only a happy camper from a whole day of playtime with other dogs but he’s also very handsomely groomed!

Absolutely wonderful experience for my pup Phoebe and me. Tess was so gracious. She explained her stress free philosophy, how she grooms and then walked me through the spa. Phoebe of course was nervous but I handed her over. She quit shaking and Tess had her up on the table getting her acclimated when I left. She called about 2 hours later saying Phoebe was done. When I got there Phoebe was relaxing with a couple other dogs. Tess does not crate dogs. I like that! She also offers «headbands» that go around dogs ears to help them with the noise of the dryer. It is a special place and we have made our next appointment. Phoebe looks fabulous!

After just one visit, I’m a fan — more importantly, my dog would agree! Tess is a gentle, professional, and service-​oriented lady who runs a tight ship. My Kerry Blue Terrier is very fussy when it comes to nail trims and he was able to calm down and sit still enough for her skillful hands. Also, it’s about the little things. The next day, I received a follow up call from her lovely front office professional — Cindy. I can’t wait until my dog’s hair grows out a bit and needs a full grooming because now I know who I can trust to handle it! My only suggestion to prospective visitors is to simply CALL the shop versus relying on info on their website as they are updating some parts of it. Plus, you’ll get all your questions answered nicely on the phone so why not? :-) Thank you Tess and Cindy~

Tess is the best. She practices low-​stress techniques for the pet (and I might say the owner). She explained everything that was going to happen to my anxious dachshund in detail, gave me a tour of the grooming stations and was always very calm and soothing. I am glad i found her. She is the only one who can get the nails done satisfactorily without bleeding or pain. The groomings are documented on her facebook page with pictures. It is very satisfying seeing him calm while being groomed.
18 5 star reviews and 1 1 star review? seriously? sounds like the competition…

SO in love with this groomer! Johnnie is a monster to groom! Very sensitive and easily spooked. She has been turned away from two other groomers just in the last month. Not only did these ladies take their time and get the job done gorgeously… but the have invited jo back (along with recommending a trainer to try to work on relaxing). They are my new go to! HIGHLY RECOMENDED!

My two Havanese Shih-​Tzu mixes have been going to Tess since they were puppies at another location and we are so glad that to have found her again own doggy salon! One of the two is gets very nervous when we go visit groomers usually, but today she was relaxed hanging out with Carla and Tess! With the long hair that grows into their eyes, they need regular maintenance grooming, so it is great to have a low-​stress caring groomer who takes her time to get the job done. Tess always does a great job with their cuts, and adds cute little bows /​hankerchiefs when she is done. They also stayed for half day daycare, seemed yo have a good time. Highly recommend!

I cannot say enough about Tesslan! Tess was so sweet and took time to make me feel comfortable and explained her «grooming philosophy.» She doesn’t believe in rushing dogs and they are never crated.
My dog is 9 years old and we recently moved to the area so I was dreading finding a new groomer for my shy pup. Could not be happier! My dog was happy when I picked her up and she looks fabulous! Tess listened to what I wanted and the results were spot on! Cannot say enough about how lovely Tess is. We will be regulars!