The Exotic Pooch

Glad to hear it’s not just me. Wish I’d read Amanda T’s review earlier.
Specifically requested one of our (rescue) poodles not be placed in a crate and was told she wouldn’t be. On picking them up was lectured about how she was «crate shy.» No kidding… Then after that she didn’t want to be picked up. Again, no kidding… Likely traumatized by the crate experience. Then rudely lectured about sand in their coat dulling her clippers. Maybe being in Pacific BEACH isn’t significant. And the comment «Maybe you need a brushing lesson,» was taken better by their Mom than I. Two stars instead of zero because they came out looking good with a nice job on the inside of those poodle ears. Good groomer, but there are others (Camp Run-​a-​Mutt Point Loma; should have gone back.) that are friendly, polite and didn’t traumatize the pups.

Wow, what a rude owner.
We picked up our pup and was chastised over the fact that our dog didn’t like to go in the crate. She tried to lecture over the fact that all dogs need to like the crate and that we should have given proper obedience training. Our dog is extremely well behaved and we have never needed to put her through obedience training.
She also made some sort of comment about how she was hoping she didn’t «pull something» getting our dog into the crate. My husband had heard something similar from her when he was in there last time to get the dog’s nails trimmed. That time she had made a comment about how she pulled a muscle with a big dog a few weeks prior. Weird — is she looking for a potential insurance case?!
We got the last laugh though when she tried to show my husband a «well behaved dog.» She let the dog out of the crate and it ran past it’s owner and nearly out the door before my husband caught it.

Karen does a nice job with grooming my dog, who is a poodle-​schnauzer mix. She’s always accommodating with scheduling, too. You can tell she’s loved by the Pacific Beach community by the amount of locals that visit her.

Great service and good prices. This is where I’ll be taking my dog to get groomed from now on!

Best dog groomer ever! I always took my dog to Petco or Petsmart and wasn’t happy with their service. I moved to PB and found Exotic Pooch. Even if you’re not in the area it’s worth the drive. Karen is extremely helpful and caring. My dog felt so comfortable with her right away and so did I. She calls or text when your dog is ready to be picked up. You can tell she cares about what she does.
I have called for a last minute appointment and she has made room for us. Customer service is key to a successful business. Great customer service and grooming at a reasonable price.

Love them! I called for a last minute appt today after finding out my old dog groomer left where she was and couldn’t find her.
Karen was so nice and accommodating. When I brought my pup over I could see she was a true dog lover! I felt very good leaving my baby with her. She asked what I like and told me she would text me when he was done.
An hour and a half later he was ready! No paying a $ 20 express fee like I use to at my old groomer not to have my dog sit in a cage all day til it was his turn and even then it took a few hours for some reason.
He looked gorgeous and was a happy camper when I picked him up!
There’s something to be said for an owner operator when it comes to your pet.
So excited we found Karen on Unilocal

Karen did a stellar job on my babies… They left comfortable and happy and I could tell right away they were in good hands…
They were welcomed by Karens warm and caring arms… She has not only been grooming but caring for every dog for forty years… It is a labor of love for her… If you want what is best for your pooch, take them to Karen. She waited an hour for me to get my dogs (work schedule) and was kind and understanding about it… You just have to communicate with her and give her advance notice a.k.a. Common Courtesy… Bowie, Maggie and myself will definitely be back!!!

Three Woofs for The Exotic Pooch! I started going to Karen in 1999 first with my poodle Katie, now with my poodle LuLu. Wow! Karen can groom a poodle! She is amazing. But, see for yourself, LuLu is the red poodle kissing her Mom in the gallery. Thank you, Karen! You are tops!

I only gave it a star cause it’s by the ocean. This lady is rude her prices are not consistent and everyone I know who’s dogs come back sketchy after she is done with them. Very very rude

Karen did an excellent job on my two shihtzu poodles today. They came out happy, fresh, and very nicely groomed. I thought her price was very reasonable (45 $) for full groom service. I will be returning

Karen is amazing ! My dog always leaves looking and smelling great. She always accommodates her clients. It’s hard finding a place that your dog likes going to. Look no farther you have found one.

I went to Karen for the first time last week with my newly adopted dog Theodore. I had previously groomed him myself to save money but there where a few places that I didn’t feel confident grooming. I let her know this and we came up with a very fair price that we both agreed upon based on my specific needs. She recommended her eyes, tail, and feet service. At $ 25 it was a great deal. It included a bath, touch up trimming in these areas, a nail trimming and she cleaned up his bottom and tummy. I was a very happy mommy.
Today when I bumped into a lady who mentioned her dog needed a bath I recommended this service to her and gave her Karens card. I hope she is as happy as I was.
If your looking for a place that dose an awsome job for a fair price the exotic pooch comes highly recommended by me.
It’s been about a year since I have had Theodore and I still see Karen. I have given up on grooming him myself. She does a much better job.

Karen did an amazing job! She is very kind an knows what she is doing. Prior to taking my newly adopted dog to her, some other groomer gave up on my poor pup. Not Karen, she was sweet and took great care of my dog.

We have taken our Pom-​chi Penelope to the exotic pooch for a few years now… and we have always thought Karen does a great job. Karen has remembered to the T how we want Penelope cut every visit. My girlfriend loves the scraggly hair on our dog’s ears; and Karen always knows to leave it be, in all its glory. She knows Penelope and our names by heart; and always makes us feel welcome when we drop Penelope off. She will text both our phones when the dog is ready, which is always convenient. And Karen ties a little bow on the collar which my girlfriend loves. Its always a new, vibrant color.

I have been going to Exotic Pooch for about 2 years now. Karen does a great job and is reasonably priced. I live in Encinitas now and still bring my dog to her.

I have been going to Karen for almost 2 years and she is wonderful. She has super reasonable prices! I have a long haired CAT and feel bad for her when it is hot out, so I take her to Karen for a hair cut. She gives Miss Eva a flea bath and shaves her. Every time I pick up my Eva she smells good and Karen is always so friendly when I pick her up, she always has a smile on her face. I will never ever go back to Petco again. Last time I went to Petco my cat came home covered in fleas, after i paid for a flea bath. gross…Karen is awesome!

Karen has been grooming for 30 years and knows the ins and outs of grooming beyond anything you’ll find at one of the pet store grooming places — I’ve worked at those and I know how those work… they basically hire most anyone, regardless of training or experience, whereas Karen has run this place since her 20s, attends conferences and trade shows and subscribes to industry literature to constantly ensure she is at the top of her «grooming game.»
I notice that every review admits that even in their «worst» experience with her, their dog still looked fantastic. Perhaps the «bad» experience is partially a result of people expecting a home-​grown and independently run small business to be the same anonymous corporate entity like PetCo. Karen is like family to many of her customers and the pets adore her — but remember that this is her own business, not a chain with expendable employees.

I have been taking my dogs to Karen for 6 years. they jump out of the car in joy everytime. Karen is amazing ! I highly recommend her…

If you need a place to board your beloved canine overnight this is a great place! The lady (I forget her name) was awesome with my pup; she actually took her to her house where she was able to play with other dogs outside. When it was time to pick her up she was groomed and furiously wagging her tail. I would definitely recommend The Exotic Pooch.
:)