I purchased a wagjag for the Elite Dog paw for my 4 year old Golden Retriever. It included a bath, grooming (cut/trim) and nails trimmed. It cost $34 - seemed like a great price for a large dog! I called to make the appointment and the lady (owner and sole operator) Sherry was very cold and short with me, but I wrote it off to her either having a bad day or being flustered with being busy and taking calls/booking appointments, etc. I didn’t think anything of it until I brought my dog in. He is a very friendly and loving dog. If anything knows anything about Golden’s - they are very smart, have tons of personality and can read people well. My dog was excited to go into the pet store as he is with Petsmart and others, but hesitated when he met Sherry which I thought was odd. He has been groomed many times before and had his nails clipped, etc and never caused a problem. He got very anxious around her and I hesitated to leave, but she said it’s always worse when owners stay. Ive ever experienced an issue like this before so I left. I was browsing the store and overheard her getting frustrated with him to get on the grooming table. I did tell her that he would do anything for a treat, but I did not see ANY treats in the “salon.” Then I heard a loud noise and I thought she tried to pick him up (which he doesn’t mind, I do all the time) and dropped him and knocked something over. I’m almost positive I heard her say “a**hole.” So, she slams the door, he is barking and she storms to the front of the pet store, past me and asks one of the clerks for her help. I asked her if he was giving her a problem and she just roller her eyes and huffed at me. I followed her back to the salon and my poor dog was crying and was so upset. She said he had knocked the grooming table over. I asked her if she wanted me to stay with him to help her and she said no. I offered to get treats from my car so she could offer him those and she said no. I really didn’t know what to
do at that point - I felt very uncomfortable. I left and stayed close to the wall of toys that backed on to the salon so I could hear her. I heard her say to my dog in a nasty tone: “This is very expensive equipment” and I am again almost positive I heard her call him an idiot! Now, regardless if she did call him those inappropriate names or not, she was NOT nurturing at all and shouldn’t have used that tone with him because I’m sure he sensed her tension. I asked the employees at the front if they had good reviews about her and they said yes - no complaints so I thought it might have been in my head and I was overreacting. So I left (urgh!). I couldn’t stop thinking about her and my poor dog and whether I made the right decision to leave him or not. She said it would be an hour and a half, but called me in 50 minutes. When I got there, he was lying down and didn’t look as distressed as before. Again, she was very cold with me and my dog. I had asked her to trim him like the
usual Golden style and I had commented that his tail was particularly in need of grooming. I looked at him and he was extremely fluffy and asked if he was just washed? She replied very defensively: “Yes, I did everything” and I said okay great, thank you. Then, I noticed his tail - the slightest trim had been taken on his tail and I was not happy with it. I politely asked her if she could trim some more off his tail and she replied defensively again that I never specified. I said that I did and she huffed and proceeded. I was gently holding and petting my dog and he sat down halfway through her trimming and she roughly grabbed half of his body and propped up his back legs and said: “stand up!” I was so incredibly taken back by her behavior and actions - I will most definitely never return and wanted to warn others about the service that I received. While she did a decent job on his grooming, I would never put my dog or myself through that experience with her again! ALSO, s
he never did ask me for or look at the Rabies document I had for my dog which indicates that she does not check to ensure her clients have this up to date which is very concerning for the health of pets! *Please comment if you have brought your dog here before and provide any insight to the service you received as I am curious to what others thought! Thanks very much!
9 Responses to “ELITE DOGS PAW in Stoney Creek, Ontario in Global Pet Foods Store”
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rob says...
If that was my dog and she did that - she would be picking her teeth off the floor.
izzy says...
I would of told her that you no longer want her touching your dog and to get him immidiatly, after you heard the loud crash and the table knock over and the swearing….
tammy says...
I would never of left my dog. Especially just to save a couple of dollars!!!
Alberta says...
Like the others have said, why did you leave him there?
I have a large dog and expect to pay $95-$100 for his grooming.
Talk nicely to my guy or we walk.
2jk19 says...
Like I mentioned, I was not sure if I heard correctly in regards to the swearing - there was a wall in between when I overheard it. Also, the crash was because my dog knocked over the grooming table because he was apparently not cooperating in terms of getting on the table - sounds like a reasonable incident. He has never given problems in the past, but he can be stubborn at times so that was possible. And to clarify, I would never try to save some money while putting my dog at risk - I have owned dogs all my life and I know how much they cost or can cost and I am always prepared for that. This groomer had really good reviews and all so that is why I was torn in terms of not knowing it was I overexaggerating or not and wanted to hear from others if they have been there before. Thanks.
Micheal says...
I have taken my Golden Retriever to the Elite Dog Spaw 7 or 8 times. Sherry is an amazing groomer and I can’t believe what I am reading above. Sherry always gives my dog treats and is gentle and kind with him. I have never had a bad experience with her and I’ve always been really happy with how my dog looks after he has been groomed. I also have a few friends who take their dogs to Sherry and no one has ever had a bad thing to say about her or her business. I would also like to say that the staff at the Global Pet Foods that the Elite Dog Spaw is located inside of are great. They are incredibly attentive and helpful and their store always looks great. I would trust Sherry with my dog anytime and I would definitely recommend the Elite Dog Spaw to anyone looking for an experienced groomer who knows what she is doing.
meghan says...
Wow that’s an awful experience! I would at least expect good customer service and kindness no matter what “day” you are having. My groomer only gives treats if I allow and I like to bring my own along. My dog is sometimes nervous because she hates the bath but geeze, if the dog is not into it, the groomer should try another day!
I live in Burlington and also go to a “Spaw” but it is called Hamilton Dog Spaw and is its own Business on Main st. Maybe try there, its reasonable but a calm atmosphere :).
Sorry about your doggie
Megs
Nicole says...
I know Sherry very well and have never had nor felt that with her her, it is very hard for me to believe this…Sherry is a great groomer and she is always pleasant. I would have to agree 100% with Micheal. I love going there and so do my dogs! I have a Chocolate lab and a Morkie.
Mike says...
Well of course you’re complaining about the service you bought it off wagjag cheapo! Be a man do the right thing don’t be so cheap!