The Gentle Spaw - mobile dog grooming

I was able to schedule a groom for my dog, Milo, on short notice. I spoke with the owner on the phone about how Milo has had really difficult experiences with groomers in the past, and to please schedule him with someone who would be extra patient and sensitive. Milo is an extremely gentle dog, so fun and warm and playful, but has been really traumatized by some groomers in the past, so I took over (to the best of my ability) for a while, but as I’m not a professional it wasn’t a sustainable alternative for us. Ashley arrived (mostly) on time, and I spoke to her again about Milo’s situation, asking her to please be extra gentle. He was so scared of her that he wriggled out of his collar to avoid the groom, which he has never ever done before. I felt so awful giving him to her, but told myself it was for the best because he wasn’t letting me get to certain areas (paws, belly) and he needed those to be taken care of to be comfortable. When Ashley was done, she brought him to my door. She was very nice, but tried too hard to make it seem like Milo was totally cool with her so we would book again. She tried to show that he was comfortable being pet by her, but in response he shrunk away with his tail between his legs. Seeing this, I didn’t feel comfortable booking a subsequent appointment on the spot. Over the next few days, I noticed that Milo was really uncomfortable, especially around his bottom. I called the owner and explained the situation, and that his *area where he was neutered* was red and swollen, and I was worried it was developing into an infection. I didn’t want to leave a negative review at the time because I know they’re a small business, and the owner was polite and apologetic. I called my vet, who was also concerned about the situation, and told us things to watch out for. The Gentle Spaw owner asked us to send pictures of the area, which I did, to which they didn’t have any opinions or suggestions. In the past few days, with soothing treatments, Milo’s irritation and swelling has gone down, to reveal 2 scabs on the area. I will readily admit that he had some very minor mats on his underbelly, which is why I took him to get groomed by a professional, but to have two large cuts literally into the skin on such a sensitive area is not excusable. I have been going back and forth with the owner for a week now, and was mostly told that irritation can come if they need to cut close if there was matting. I understand it’s a nuanced situation, but I cannot recommend Ashley or this company in good conscience if they are not able to groom the smallest knots without leaving two notable, large cuts and leaving my dog open to infection, and going further to not even tell me that they had issues with that area after the groom. Ashley also didn’t even clean his ears or his teeth, which I requested (and paid for). She didn’t clip his back nails either because she said he was getting too upset, but this I’m actually glad for. I wish she had paid more attention to his needs when cutting his hair. We will obviously not be repeating business. I will say that the owner has been nothing but polite, and this is obviously not his fault. I hope he hires a different groomer.

Well let me just say that I was very satisfied when I picked up my soft & shiny Ponyo Pug Princess- BUT I do have to say it was a little tiny bit overpriced…. 🤑 like for the amount I paid I would have liked some extra options like when I would take her to healthy spot they offer a “blueberry facial” [whatever that is] and she’s always wearing a fun little bandana or bows when I take her to bubbles pet spa in encino BUT I wanted to try a mobile grooming option this time and as far as I’m concerned I definitely got what I paid for - i.e. convenience of not having to leave my house except to walk out front and my pug Ponyo seemed to be very comfortable and not at all nervous or anxious…. - since Ponyo is a very special pug and requires extra special care due to her * PTSP* [Or what I like to call] *POST TRAUMATIC STRESS PUG* (on account of her surviving being kidnapped and kept away from me for an entire year) So I appreciated the groomer being patient while I explained that and she took very special care of her, ponyo did not seem anxious or nervous at all when I picked her up so that was a great relief to be able to pick her up happy and playful not at all scared or showing signs of stress! Also want to say that the van being parked out front of my apartment complex caused both issues or complaints from other residents and I live on a very busy street so that also left me feeling like I can continue to schedule future grooming for ponyo! My pug has skin allergies and she had no adverse reactions to the products used. It was an overall lovely SPUG aka [SPOILED] PUG spa day experience!