I have brought my dog to PetSmart multiple times. I've never had an issue. Typically, because my…read moredog's coat dries so quickly, by the time I get home, they have called me to come back and get him, so about 45 minutes.
Last Thursday, 5/7/26, I had a 1:30 pm appointment with one groomer and was called and offered an earlier one because they had lots of openings. I had never been to this PetSmart, but was using it because I was leaving Denver that afternoon and let the woman know that I didn't have a car anymore and needed to pick it up at noon. Their location was closer to the highway and after my car appointment and I was hoping I would have the car in time for the 1:30 appt. She asked if I'd like to come at 2 pm and I said I'd rather stay at 1:30 because I was really trying to get out of town, but kept that time in the back of my mind. While I was at the rental place I saw that I was not going to make the 1:30 time so I called to see if the 2 pm time was still an option. It was, so I locked that time down and got the car and rushed home.
I gathered up my pup and threw my luggage into the car. I called on my way and let them know I was coming. I told them I'd be there by 2:15. They said I'd be fine. I arrived at 2:10.
The person who they ended up assigning me was different, fine, I was late, had changed my appointment. She took my pup back after I did the paperwork. He wasn't happy, but what pup ever is?
I asked another groomer if she knew a place I could get a manicure while he was being groomed. (No cut, just bathed, nails, and extra brushing for shedding.) She didn't have any suggestions, so I turned to google and found a place close by.
Two and 1/2 hours later I was concerned because I hadn't received a text or call from the groomer, especially since it's typically only 45 minutes for him. I rushed my service to finish and drove back to the groomer and when I walked in I couldn't find anyone. I could hear my dog barking in distress in the back. I went in and out looking for a staff member and finally someone emerged.
I asked if he was done and was told he didn't like the blow dryer, so was put in the kennel to air dry. (I think him hating 15 min in the blower is not nearly as bad as hating over 2 hours in the kennel, but hey, that's just me.) I said something to the effect of how he had been there for 3 hours already and why wasn't he done and I have to be in Omaha, NE tonight, and was told "our appointments take 3-4 hours." I again told the groomer that I needed to leave, I had to get on the road. She asked if I'd like to pay for him and she would get him ready and to come back in 15 min. I said yes and was given the page with his info on it & checked out. I had requested a bath & brush plus the spring special with 15 extra minutes of the furminator. I went back and got him. He was still wet, was barely brushed, and honestly, I don't think he got his nails trimmed or his sanitary area clipped as directed. The nails are still long and not filed and his sanitary area is grown out from his last grooming.
I paid nearly $75 at 6:25 pm and didn't get him for another 30 minutes. He was still wet. $75 for a bath, 4 1/2 hours of stress in a kennel for my pup, and a snot nosed attitude from a groomer that I tipped only so I would remember her name. I sure won't forget her face and she will never touch a hair on my dog's head again.