The Barker Shop

Couldn’t ask for a better groomer. The ladies are always pleasant and welcoming. I know they are good to my dog «Doogie» because he always comes home happy and playful. The work is great and they always pay attention to specific requests about the cut that I may have. And they keep track of those requests so I don’t have to reiterate them every time we return.
Bottom line is I trust them with my best friend. He is a big part of my life and I wouldn’t entrust his safety to just anyone.
I’d give them 6 STARS if this app would let me.

I’ve been going here for awhile. I’ve always been overall happy with the service and the grooming on my shihtzu. That said I feel I must share that on 2 occasions my dog has come home with fleas! The first time it happened I mentioned it to the shop. They reassured me they try to keep things clean and the dogs separate. After this most recent visit I will no longer return to their shop. When I arrived to pick up my dog there was hair everywhere! It was all over the floor and different colors of fur and hair.. which tells me they didn’t sweep up after each pet. increasing the odds of fleas. My dog is not around any other dogs, is regularly treated for fleas and has only had the flea issue immediately following her grooming appointment. It’s too bad because everyone seemed very nice there. In the 8 years I’ve taken her to be groomed, this is the first time I’ve had issues with fleas after grooming! It’s unacceptable and I do hope they take more precautions in the future!

Sooo, took my yellow lab today to the groomer for the first time. Poor thing, she hadn’t ever had so much as her nails trimmed. (I know, I know. Bad dog mommy!) But NOW, with the end result of taking her to this groomer instead of bathing her myself at home, I should have done this from day one!
Okay, so I’ve known other people to take their dogs to the groomer. I’ve ridden with them to pick up their dogs, all bopping out of the shop with the silly handkerchief tied around the dog’s neck. I’ve even taken my ex’s dog (120 lb. mastiff mix– VERY hard to bathe at home!) to petsmart to be bathed. But I was never impressed much. Not enough to take my own dog to the groomer, anyway. And in fact, I recall always wondering– you paid for that?! :/​
Enter the Barker Shop’s Monday Bath Special. I ran across it in a coupon book (but not to worry, the special is offered every Monday– no coupon needed, I was pleasantly informed).
Anyway, the Monday bath special includes a bath, ear cleaning, and nail trimming (prices range depending on dog size). I knew my poor pup was in dire need of a nail trimming. A bath couldn’ t hurt either! And have I EVER cleaned her ears?! Eh, this is an awesome price, we’ll give it a shot.
I called and set up an appointment (for a Monday, of course). Super nice woman on the phone. Then got a phone call back asking me to reschedule to Tuesday, due to some construction or something going on at their end. No prob. I showed up Tuesday morning, dropped the dog off. Again, super nice woman at the counter (not sure whether it was the same person though). I decided at the counter that I’d also add a teeth cleaning since I bought some doggie toothpaste long ago, but admittedly haven’t been on top of actually putting the paste onto my finger and then into the dog’s mouth. Unfortunately, the paste doesn’t seem to be very effective while still in the tube… her breath was pretty horrendous.
Anyway, I left my little sweetie with the girls of Barker Shop, and they called when she was done and ready to be picked up (right around the time estimated). Points keep stacking up.
I was at work, but made it to get her within the hour. When I got there to pick her up, the same counter girl from when I dropped her off that morning let me know what the charge was today, very kindly reminding me that it would be a little bit higher if I bring her in on a day other than Monday. One of the groomers then brought her out to me and we chatted about the dog’s visit, and what all they had done to her. (Side note: the groomer had many piercings, and a few tatts. Just for those of you who may be bothered by petty crap like that– she did a wonderful job, at her job. And was a very nice woman. Don’t judge people, and do NOT be put off by someone with piercings or tattoos. Personally, I am a fan of body modification and totally okay with it, but even if you’re not– life’s just not that serious, folks. Let it go.)
All in all, awesome experience! Everyone that I encountered was very friendly, very pleasant, the prices were extremely reasonable (they didn’t hassle me in the least about it being a Tuesday when I actually brought the dog in for a Monday special, and although they shouldn’t have, I’ve certainly seen businesses try to pull that crap and then some! Kudos for them for not even mentioning it, which is just how it should have been.)
Picking up my dog from the Barker Shop, I immediately noticed a difference in my dog’s nails on the shop floor. And at home, there is no more clickety clack on the hardwood as she walks. :) But even better, she smells GREAT. All I can smell is clean clean clean on her oh so soft fur! And her breath? Well, she IS a dog still, but the odor is nothing, NOTHING like it was. Thank you Barker Shop, for making my dog so much less of a, well… dog. We will be back.
And yes, she is still wearing the silly handkerchief around her neck… :)