Puppy Land

I had a simple request. Dremel my dog’s nails. I was looking to repeat this process about every 3 weeks or so. You see, my dog is in training to be a Therapy Dog. And his nails need to be shorter. His nails are in good shape, but they just need to be a bit shorter… and to get the quick inside the nail to recede takes more regular trimming. But my Jack Russell Terrier HATES nail clippers. He’ll happily cuddle up in my arms for a Dremel tool though.
So some months ago, I talked with the owner about this idea. He said that he’d Dremel the nails for $ 10. Perfect! The shop is about ½ a mile from my house, which makes it convenient. The $ 10 fits in my budget.
I stopped by at least 5 or 6 times in the 4 months since I had that discussion. Granted it was always later in the day, after work, but usually around 4:30 or 5 (and the hours posted show open until 6 with «walk ins welcome»).
This week I finally caught the shop actually open about 4… once the owner returned from an errand (taking supplies to another Puppy Land location.
After trying to refresh his memory, he explained to me that he would have to cut the nails before filing them down. He didn’t understand my request. And his is the ONLY shop that has not understood what needed to be done. After about 5 minutes of trying to help this guy understand my very simple request, I gave up and left. I did go back in and try to help him understand that he had just driven away business. And since I seldom see anyone in there, I’d think he’d want to do all he could to EARN a neighbor’s business.
Turns out that I think he is uncomfortable with a Dremel tool. Fine. If that’s the case just say so at the beginning. Don’t drag things out and argue with your customer.
My guy will continue to go to Gilbert Dogs for his baths, but they don’t have a Dremel tool (that is their ONLY negative… and a very small negative at that). I found another groomer that will Dremel my dog’s nails for $ 10, but it’s clear over at McClintock and Warner, but it looks like I’ll be making that trip. They are the only ones who understand that I can hold my guy while someone Dremels his nails… and it is much less stressful on the dog and the groomer.
I wish Puppy Land all the best, but I’d never do business with them; this owner did not earn my trust and therefore will not earn my business.

Staff seems nice enough but whoever clipped my dogs nails did a terrible job. They cut his back paws nails so short there’s barely anything left but a bloody stump of nail. I feel awful for leaving him in their hands. Next time I’ll make the drive to Trim Time.