Dog Mania

I have two dogs that absolutely adore doggie daycare at Dog Mania. The staff is friendly, and I’ve never had any trouble reaching them. It is also so nice to not have to make reservations with them beforehand.

Wanted to write a follow up as it seems a number of folks have had some bad experiences recently.
Only bad part of the experience was no one answered the first 3 times that I called. I didn’t leave a msg but someone did call me back.
Setup an appointment, they had Uzi’s card on file. I dropped him off at 8:30AM and got a call around 2PM that he was ready to go, picked him up around 4PM. He looked great had the same haircut as before. Everything was good no complaints. I took him home and decided to look him over since a lot of folks that recently took him their seemed to have issues but I didn’t see any issues. He has dew claws on all 4 paws they were trimmed, he had a perfect haircut and was rocking his mohawk.
They might have a new owner but overall I was satisfied with the service, and would still recommend them.

After 3 years of bringing our dog here, today was our last day. With the staffs’ attitude and complete lack of customer service, having our dog returned with nicks and abrasions, dissatasfaction at the grooming cut that takes all day, and cancellation of our appointment multiple times, we are now looking for a new dog groomer in the Seattle area. If i’m this disappointed with dropoff/​pickup, I can only imagine how our dog feels at a 6 – 7 hour appointment :(This place has the ability to do such a wonderful job, we’ve seen it in the past!, but we just can’t bring ourselves to pay $ 100 for disorganized and clumsy staff work.

I’m not going to go on and on here. We loved this place when Liliana ran it and used to bring our dog here all the time for both grooming and day care. She couldn’t wait to get in the door. The last two times we brought her for grooming she has come home with abrasions on her hind legs from being groomed too closely. The first time I didn’t realize what the cause was — she’s a big dog and I didn’t notice the abrasion until a couple days post-​cut when she was licking at it. She ended up needing antibiotics and a cone. This time, she licking again and JUST had the cut a few days ago, so I know now both times it was the grooming. Additionally, when we took her there this time she was much less enthusiastic about being there and seemed reluctant to go into the back, which was NEVER the case prior to the ownership change.
To top it off, the employees seem confused and disorganized and can never give me an approximate time when our dog will be ready for pick up — once we dropped her off at 9:30am and she wasn’t ready till 6.
This business is in my neighborhood and couldn’t be more convenient. I would love to support them and recommend them to others but I just can’t. I’ll be looking for another groomer.

Every time we call to make an appointment, no one calls us back. We get the same half-​hearted apology when we point this out the 2^nd or 3^rd time we call and finally get someone. Tried to drop off my dog at 9 am (our appointment time), only to wait in the rain for 25 minutes with no one to show up. This time, I get lied to and the person said she was «in the back with the dogs,» when she clearly just got in the shop and looks like she just woke up. Terrible customer service. The groomer is great, but forget about service from the shop when you go here.

I am updating my review on this business because there has been a change in ownership and I no longer take my dog to Dog Mania. I use to be in love with Dog Mania; I was thrilled to have my dog there for daycare and grooming. In August of 2014, the original owner sold the business and I scaled down my dog’s visits to Dog Mania to see how things would go with the new owner. Sadly, my dog’s former home-​away-​from home is no longer a business I can support. What use to be a happy and energetic space, has become sort of sour. Many of the same employees are still with the business, but something has definitely change. I did have my dog in for daycare a number of times since August, but he came home not-​as-​happy or tired as I came to expect from Dog Mania. Over time, many of the former regulars have shared their thoughts and feedback with me about their experiences, and the reasons they no longer take their dogs to Dog Mania. Thematically, it’s all been the same: not the same level of customer service, and the dogs are not as happy as they use to be at Dog Mania. A true bummer to know that Dog Mania is no longer an option for me under this new owners leadership. I did not want to leave my original reviews posted without this update, so that a dog owner can make an informed decision about this business. I also hope the owner reads this review – and other reviews, plus the feedback from former long-​time customers – and makes a change. It was a great shop and it’s in a good location, but not a place I will be taking my most precious love – my dog.

New Personnel, possibly new owner, has meant CUSTOMER SERVICE IS GONE. I was told the groomers began work at 9:00A and if I brought my dogs in at that time I could pick them up at noon or 1:00P at the latest. That is the service I have been getting for years.
When I arrived today, I was told the groomer didn’t start until 10:00A and the dogs couldn’t possibly be done until mid afternoon. After years of using Dog Mania, I’m forced to find a new groomer.

My dogs went in shaggy, smelly, and in need of mani/​pedis. Jackie fully eliminated and Sammy peed (I swear, I walked them that morning!) upon being let into the doggy waiting area, but they’ve apparently seen it all before — cleaned it up with good humor. I thought, «well, no matter how the dogs look coming out, they’ve earned a good tip already». They came out looking sleek, smelling fresh, and nails gently grazing the floor, so the tip was well earned, all around. They did an exceptional job. My dogs have never looked better. Seriously good.
Update: I’d previously given Dog Mania a 5 star review. It’s down to 2 stars. Yes, my dogs looked great coming out, but there was a little mishap I wasn’t informed about — they cut Sammy’s shaft during grooming. I understand — dogs wiggle and squirm, it’s bound to happen on occasion, but I shouldn’t have to find out about it after wondering why he was constantly licking his shaft — I should have been informed. There was (and still is) blood everywhere. If I had simply been told so I could protect and treat the area, fine, not a problem in the least. But discovering it because of his licking — NOT OK! They couldn’t have NOT known — it had to have bled like a sieve when it was cut. And they chose not to tell me. Integrity would have kept the review at 5 stars. Yes, both dogs looked great coming out, but I didn’t check under the carriage. Back to their old groomer, I guess. At least they told me about the occasional mishap. My dogs are only leash walked. There’s no way Sammy’s cut could have come from romping around. Shame on Dog Mania for not saying anything.
Updated again: Gave them another chance and my dogs got the same amazing grooming they’d gotten the first time. There was a skin irritation on Sammy, which they pointed out — I knew something was up before as he was quite itchy and one of the reasons I wanted to get them in, thinking a good bath and flea check was in order. They let me know immediately. Sammy’s skin was irritated and flaky (no fleas and certainly unrelated to any grooming). I got him into the vet for a check and they gave some ointment to help the flaking and itching. All is well and my faith in Dog Mania completely restored. My dogs are going back, for sure.

I’ve taken my Springer Spaniel to Dog Mania for the past 5 years. Usually he doesn’t like to be separated from me — but he never has a problem when I drop him off at Dog Mania. He always comes home looking adorable — and he’s tuckered out from playing with all the other pups. Win-​win!!! The service is wonderful. You can tell that they truly love dogs… even the ones who are a wee bit crazy (cough, cough). I am really excited that they’ve started a mobile grooming service — can’t wait to try it. I will never take my baby anywhere else!

Being going to Dog Mania for a few years now and we have 2 Malamutes they are super hairy! The dogs always get the De-​Shed and then have to be dried which I know can take ages so there is a lot of wonderful love and patience being shown there to get it right. That said of all the groomers we have ever used this place gets the pups to Dog show quality they are amazing. they do great work. I will say you get what you pay for and Dog Mania is certainly not cheap but the work is the best and my pups seem very happy so its a win — win. Will I repeat yes indeed every season they go back!

Little pricey but the staff is friendly and kind. My two pups were well taken care and they seemed really happy. If you are looking for more bang for your buck, groom them at Petco or Petsmart… same service for way less $$$$…

This place is amazing! Every time I pick up my two dogs they are so happy and prance all the way home, almost like they are proud of their new do’s. Not to mention they smell wonderful and have no pink (since they have sensitive skin and a pretty thin coat, it is easy to see skin irritation). Dog Mania is a place I have referred to many friends and family members already. They care about each animal individually focus on their specific needs. The prices aren’t that bad either considering your dog is in excellent hands.

Today was my first, and last, experience with Dog Mania grooming. I chose this groomer because of the high reviews on this site. I dropped off my dog for a bath shortly after they opened in the morning. There were two staff members present. Neither asked for my name, had me fill out any paperwork, requested proof of vaccinations, or asked to clarify what services I was there for. Worst of all, they did not greet my dog. I understand that some people just lack «people skills» and this is redeemable for me if – as someone who works with dogs all day– you have dog skills. They did not. I had to offer who I was, tell them my dogs name, what I was there for, and explained clearly that she shouldn’t be with strange dogs because, while being a total sweetheart, can be aggressive when she’s nervous.
I was very uneasy leaving my dog there, but did it anyway, telling myself that with such great reviews maybe I was just being paranoid. But when I went to pick my dog up a few hours later, my fears were confirmed. First, I must say my dog was clean and brushed. She looked and smelled great. But the staff was still uninterested at best. I walked in, told the girl at the front desk my name, and who I was picking up. She was confused. Fortunately (!!!) my dog was wandering loose behind the counter and came running to the door. (Unfortunately my potentially aggressive 80 pound dog was wandering loose with other dogs! This could have been disastrous on so many levels!) The girl behind the desk said «Is that one yours?»
You’ve had my dog for 3 hours and you call her «that one?» So basically ANYONE could have walked in, said «that ones mine» and walked out with my dog. This is unacceptable to me. I don’t expect you to be checking my identification, but at least know the dog’s name and what person she belongs to!
The one star rating is for the quality of the grooming itself. The customer care was horrible.

When I moved to Leschi 3 years ago, I decided to try a new groomer because Kristi’s on Capitol Hill seemed like a crazy-​long drive. I am so glad I tried out DogMania! It is MUCH nicer and my doggie doesn’t shiver when he gets there (he used to shake like a leaf when we walked into Kristi’s) — he seems to actually like his visit to the «doggie spa.» Everyone who works there loves dogs and they do a really good job every single time — including adding a festive (and seasonally-​appropriate) bandana around the neck afterwards (my dog’s neck, not mine :)). So glad I found them. They are super-​professional but also friendly.

In my past life I was a dog groomer. It’s such hard work, you would never believe it. Now I have Lilianna of Dog Mania. She grooms my poodle beautifully and I am so grateful that I don’t have to do it any more. Best part is my dog loves her. She jumps with joy every time we go into the salon and she always looks beautiful when I pick her up. Thanks Dog Mania.

I have an old old old human society rescue, about 11.5 years old, and he acts somewhere between 6 weeks old and 50 years old.
Also, for this review, I had my sweetie’s little 4lb Chihuahua. Who is the pear of my eye. I love ‘er to pieces.
What do these two animals have in common?
Well, they are despicable when it comes to nail-​clipping. Both of them.
The old dog is already howling, whimpering, and evading within two feet of the nail clipper; before it’s even touched him.
I took both these goggies to Dog Mania for nail clipping, 5pm on a Thursday last week, I think. Set the appointment up online, it was really easy, painless.
Showed up promptly, was helped by Roberta? She took the little dog first. I asked, how much for both of them, she said, well, depends on how difficult it is! Made sense to me!
The little dog took about ten minutes (it takes me over an hour to do it by myself, she squirms and fights so badly).
The big dog took about fifteen-​twenty minutes, and he’s even worse, and a lot lot bigger, squirming, whimpering, howling. She even managed to trim his dew claws which were starting to curl really close to his toe pad.
He also has dark black nails, also very difficult!
She was clearly confident in her skills, I wasn’t worried at all. She handled both of the animal friends how I wish I could when it came to nail clipping.
In the end, it cost 25.00 for both dogs together, and I left her a generous tip, since the little dog took a rather impolite dump in the middle of the floor, and well, both of the dogs were melodramatic hellions. In case you were wondering, animal owners, it is customary, and appropriate to tip dog groomers for doing something you could do but refuse to, especially if your dog is «excitable». It can be a scary job handling other people’s precious pooch. It would be like 50 people a day, handing you 50 different children, and expecting you to know immediately and quickly how to handle every single one calmly, kindly, and carefully. Except I’ve seen plenty of dog owners treat their dogs way nicer than children.
I furthermore refuse to ever clip the dog’s nails (myself) again!
I am confirming they do clip the nails, they do a fine job, and I did not think the price too expensive!
I certainly will go there again for this service.

Dogmania does a fabulous job grooming (wash, comb/​brush, nails, anal glands, etc.) and giving my energetic, affectionate Australian Shepherd a «sanitary» cut. What I really like is that the dogs are free to roam in their work space instead of being placed in and out of kennels.
This summer we got him a puppy cut just to see what he’d look like. They did a great job on him and I’m sure he is not an easy customer.
This is our go-​to place for all things dog grooming.

Dog Mania is a small family run business in Mount Baker.
I enjoyed coming to Liliana’s shop this spring. It’s clear that they love animals and have excellent, friendly customer service. It’s so nice to be called by my first name and not be known as «my-​pups-​name mom»…which gets a little old when it’s me, not the pup is the one with the credit card.
Liliana is a highly experienced, talented groomer and class act human being. The dogs I saw look terrific coming out of her shop.
They have a small selection of food and toys if you are in a pinch.
They also run a small indoor– outdoor day care which limits the number of dogs that they will take. I would describe it as low key and low stress. The pets can have a good deal of human contact if they are in need, or roam outside. Such a sweet shop in Mount Baker.

I only go here for the shop aspect and not the grooming services. I feel the selection leaves a lot to be desired for dogs and cats. Also, I expect to pay more than the larger pet stores, but feel the prices are quite high.
I’ve stopped in a handful of times since I live close, and have never received the friendly greetings everyone else has written about. My dog was even aggressively approached and barked at by the owner or cashier’s dog and we didn’t get an apology. The behavior was ignored.
I wish I was experiencing what everyone else is writing about.

The staff in this bright little store is welcoming and friendly to 2 and 4 legged customers. Dogs waiting to be groomed are always happy & perky – there’s never any whining or crying, and everything is out in the open.
They have a small but quality selection of dog and cat basics and fun stuff. Perfect for popping in and grabbing a gift or those cat food when you’re out.