Why won't people take their dogs to Petsmart?

Question

I have heard horror stories about Petsmart. WHERE I WORK. I AM A BATHER. We are not inexperienced. We groom our own dogs there. We have pets. Are pets are not spoiled enough to NOT get groomed their. What is everyone elses problem. If your child pitched a fit getting his or her haircut, wouldnt you just say " now now little johnny, life sucks, you need a haircut?" without using those exact words, you get my point? You wouldnt go " HOW DARE YOU UPSET ME LITTLE WITTLE BABY JOHNNY" No you wouldnt. You wouldnt sue the place saying they caused your child trauma from getting his/her haircut. So why do it with your animals. Of course, no animal will like a strange place with all kinds of smells. OHHHHHHHHHHH PEOPLE GET OVER YOURSELVES.

Answer 1

I've taken my dog to Petsmart to get her nails trimmed and I've never had a problem. She turns into the devil if I try to do it myself ... lol.

I think that every Petsmart is different and people shouldn't judge all of them because they had a bad experience with one of the store's groomers.

Each store has more than one groomer, so try asking for a different groomer or go on another day when there is a different person grooming, but give the place a second chance. The store is only as good as the groomer who is taking care of your dog.

Answer 2

Well the petsmart near us has a big glass window, where you can watch them groom the dogs, and I wont take my dog there because I've witnessed the employees walk away, leaving a dog up on a table tethered by its neck only. Also I've seen them cut an animal that was standing perfectly still. (white dog=blood stands out well) And then the way they handle the animal is just not the way I would let someone handle my dog. They grab the dogs by the snout and yank tangles out. Also I've seen other dogs left loose in the grooming area, while a dog was tied up on the grooming platform, helpless to move as the other dog barks and harrasses it.

Complaints are met with snippy attitudes and the turnover is so high that within the next month or so, someone else is in there manhandling pets. I prefer a reliable groomer with a 'wash your own dog' station. Most professional groomers go to school for it, simple in store training or a few classes doesn't cut it for me if I'm going to leave a beloved pet in your care.
You wouldn't let a service person come fix the furnace without finding out their credentials, so Petsmart could start by posting those somewhere highly visible.
With the increase of injuries and deaths at the groomer rising there is talk of requiring groomers to be licenced. So if you are a licenced groomer, then I applaud you for trying to turn around any misconceptions you feel others may have about where you work.
Since you only wrote of your disatisfaction without mentioning any formal training on your part, its hard to tell if you fall into the very sterotype you are trying to get people to see past.
I agree with you on the lawsuit though, unless my pet is really sick or injured I find a lawsuit unnecessary. But if they are sick or hurt and I had vet bills to pay because of negligence on the stores part...they'd better at least offer to help upon hearing of the issue, or I would feel justified in seeking payment of those vet bills.

Another thing is irrespondsible owners. You cannot take a dog that as never been groomed, drop it off at a petstore, and expect an AKC show cut. Even if they are licenced to the hilt with years of experience, its not going to happen! The workers will get bit, scratched, etc. Leading to them having to restrain or otherwise roughly handle the dog, which looks bad, no matter what the reason. Managers of these stores need to choose who they hire carefully! The attitude of the person in charge of the grooming makes a huge difference in how a situation is viewed. Some apathetic clerk who barely grunts as they shove some form over for you to sign will leave the person with a feeling that the store as a whole is incompetent, even before the grooming begins, and over-booking can add a rushed, impatient feel to the whole experience.

Answer 3

I dont know.. personally I am not that lazy to take my dogs to get done... I do it myself and save the money and the hassle. I dont know about petsmart but I do know several dogs who went to the local groomer and came back with fear issues... what would you do if your child came back from daycare and became withdrawn, fearful, aggressive and anxious?? would you question what happened or would you just ignore it?? I myself would question it and if need be sue for abusing my dog if that was the case... I do not think that all groomers would do things to hurt dogs because yeah some of them do struggle and need a firm hand but if the dog becomes changed because of the experience then a little too much force was used and the people who did it should be held accountable not to psychologically, physically, or emotionally harm the dog in any way. If they did cause issues then they should have to pay for it... sorry but whether it was my dog or my child if they came back changed in a negative way from being handled by other people I would take necessary action to hold the people responsible for any suffering or damage incurred by them. However I think the responsibility lies with the dog owner as well if you have a nervous sensitive dog then dont take him to a strange place and let people manhandle him because it could cause problems.. I dont take my dogs because I know they would be upset, it would cost me money and I can do it at home much easier and without worries.

Answer 4

For a large chain, I think Petsmart does a pretty good job. I especially like that they partner with local shelters to get animals adopted instead of selling puppies and kittens.

No issues with the grooming service either.

Answer 5

People are different with their pets than they are with their kids. And the people who are like that with their kids have little brats that I can't stand. I don't think there is anything you can do about it. I work in a vet clinic, and I know it is a different setting, but we also get those people who go crazy on us if their dog whines when we give vaccines. I find it is the people who own little dogs, like yorkies, toy poodles, chihuahuas. My advice is to ignore the people who act like that, because they are going to act like that no matter where they go. And just be professional and keep spreading the word that the employees at pet smart are experienced, and know what they are doing. Good luck!

Answer 6

Needed to vent there?? Anyways I think petsmart is a wonderful company, I personal don't shop at pet stores or take my dogs in there. It's just to hard to hold back the dog and look for things that I want for him. Also petco is closer to me and pet stores are just to dang expensive!

Answer 7

I got my dog groomed at a Petsmart and he loved it. I can never get him to be still long enough to do it but he was an angel for them. They even gave him a doggie treat when they had finished.

Answer 8

OK. I am a groomer and I have come to the conclusion that pet owners are just insane, batty as hell, wackos. For Gods sake, I'M KIDDING! Back off everyone....

I own 2 dogs and 6 cats that I love dearly, so that would make me one of them too.

On the serious side though, I think pet owners
(myself included) tend to treat their pets more like grand children rather than children or beloved pets. There for we dont think about the fact that we are spoiling them rotten and pissing others off around us because we are unaware of how sickening we are being....simply because we dont care what others think. The 'grand child'
is the main concern and we all know how batty grand parents are (kidding again...well kinda)

Anyway, it may or may not help you to think of your customers pets as their grand child rather than their child.
I guess maybe....

Answer 9

I have had all the problems you spoke of, plus more, from one of the expensive doggie salons. Oh, and it wasn't just me, other clients issued complaints and the shop closed. I have used Petsmart and was very satisfied, both with the grooming and the price. (My groomer even painted my puppy's toenails!)

Answer 10

Honestly, do you really think your dog likes wearing nail polish and bows and clothing???? getting your dog groomed by a "Groomer" is for people that are lazy and have more money than they know what to do with.... I groom my dog and we have a blast everytime.... I KNOW my dog would prefer running around in the sprinkler and then getting all lathered up, then running through the sprinkler again.... You people that take yer pets to those places dont really understand yer pets..