Canine To Five — Local services in Detroit

I started bringing my rescue jack russell terrier/poodle mix, Davey, here for grooming in March when our previous groomer closed - and it has been such a dream experience.

The staff is so friendly and welcoming and seem to genuinely love their work. Everyone is very chill and understanding and helpful. We’ve only been in a couple times and the staff already recognized us, which felt really sweet.

The reminder texts and emails are super helpful but I don’t get inundated with emails from them (the monthly calendars are adorable). I also get a huge kick out of getting Davey’s “report card” when I pick him up from grooming. I assumed this was only for doggie daycare - but it genuinely lights me up a little to see he’s had a good day lol.

Booking grooming is easy now that we’re on a schedule - the first appt I made did end up being about 6 weeks out from when I called so keep that in mind if you are just starting out - but I recently found out that one of the reasons is because they ensure they never have too many pets in the grooming area at one time so the dogs aren’t stressed and the groomers aren’t overwhelmed - which is honestly such a relief given my little guy isn’t great with crowds. And this just ensures that every dog is really getting their proper time and care.

Davey grows his curls quick (my friends have likened him to a chia pet lol) and our first appt was a perfect storm of me getting sick and having to cancel an appt with his previous groomer, and then that shop closing a month later before I called to rebook (since they didn’t take reservations in advance) so he was really quite matted at our first appt. The groomer took this in stride and got Davey looking and feeling wonderful and never once made me feel bad about it. They clearly keep thorough notes in their system because they noted that Davey’s coat was in better condition this time when I came in - which was so cool to me that they could look back and have that information. While I was there, Christian was handling the grooming front desk and he was so personable and helpful - and I also noticed he was calling owners to let them know about scratches or hot spots groomers had found on dogs while grooming, or if a dog was having a harder time and asking if they could proceed with a groom that would be more comfortable for the dog. I’ve had Davey 10 years and a senior rescue aussie for 3 years before him - not once have I had a groomer call me about any of that before. If it’s happened, it’s always been something they tell me at pickup. The dedication to all of the dogs best care was really clear to me just observing this for a few minutes and made me feel so safe leaving Davey in their care.

This time, I got the text that Davey was ready for pickup right in the middle of a last minute work project before I would be off early for the holiday weekend - and I called and asked if it would be okay if I finished up my work before coming to pickup. They were totally fine with that and said as long as I picked up before closing, it was no big deal. I took an hour to finish my work and Davey was a bouncy happy little guy when I got there - seemingly not fussed at all that he hung out there an extra hour.

They also now have Saturdays available which is great - however our last couple appts have been during the work week and I just bring my laptop and work from one of the local cafes or delis. The location is really convenient for that. Although they do have an easy drop off point if you want to just drive up and park for a hot minute and then head back home.

I wish Davey liked hanging out with other dogs so we could join in more of the events and activities they offer lol - but even just for grooming - I cannot recommend...

After a three day stay at Canine to Five, my dog died at the vet, hours after I picked her up.

I dropped off my healthy shih tzu on Friday morning. When I picked her up Sunday afternoon, she was a shell of the dog I knew. She could barely stand, was largely unresponsive (her name, food, peanut butter, etc.). I was casually told that she hadn’t eaten since Friday and that she had just urinated on herself—both very clear indications that something could be wrong. (I was later told she urinated in her enclosure and then laid in it, but I fail to see how that is any less concerning.)

I took her home and within a couple of minutes decided that she was very very sick. As I rushed her to the emergency vet, I called Canine to Five back for more details on her stay. During that call I found out that she had thrown up on Friday (which, alone, is not necessarily cause for alarm), and they hadn’t been able to monitor her water intake, since she was in tiny town. I made a reservation for the senior lounge (she is an older dog, and is stressed by more energetic dogs trying to engage her in play) and at check-in was confirmed that she would be in the senior lounge. this is a two-fold issue: First, I requested the senior lounge because she is older and I wanted to make sure that all her needs were met, without any confusion/obfuscation because of the number of other dogs around her. And second, I paid more for the senior lounge and only found out she wasn’t there for two of the three days when I called back on the way to the vet. I was told that the reason she was moved to tiny town was because she was very restless and vocal in the senior lounge. Again, I was not contacted, but had I been, I could have told the staff that this was very abnormal behavior for her and that something could be wrong.

To summarize what the staff knew/should have been easily observable by the time I picked her up: She threw up, hadn’t eaten in two days, could barely stand, urinated on herself, and they was unable to confirm if she’d been drinking water.

At the emergency vet, she was evaluated; admitted; and diagnosed with severe dehydration, low body temperature, and a severely inflamed gallbladder.

Our Sassy’s cremated remains were delivered to our home on Monday.

The staff is clearly ill-equipped, ill-trained, and cannot NOT be trusted to properly care for your dog.

I do not blame Canine to Five for her death, but they are 100% responsible for missing every single warning sign, failing to communicate, and I cannot stress this enough—AT ALL—during her stay.

I spoke to a manager named Samantha who made vague promises to look into the policies that led to this—completely disregarding the obvious signs that my dog was in distress. She also offered a refund… but not for the stay, just the tip and the difference in the cost between tiny town and the senior lounge. I do not care about the money, but Canine to Five failed to fulfill their duty to care for my dog, and as such, should keep none of the money paid for the service they failed to provide.

I waited an additional day after I had spoken to the manager before writing this review, because I wanted to be sure that I had time to process and reflect on the events. So, with a clear head, I can confidently say that I will NEVER again recommend Canine to Five to anyone. Additionally, I will be reaching out and sharing my story with those who I know use...

This place is exceptional!!! My 12 week old golden retriever puppy, Pickles, had his first day evaluation a couple days ago and he had an AMAZING time! The staff were so patient and inviting to him, and kept me updated with pupdate photos and the live cam view! Plus his end of the date rePAWt card was so lovely! Carletha was so detailed about including how his day went, and it was truly exceptional since it made me feel great about knowing how his day actually went instead of just the common, simple, basic comments that doesn't inform me of anything and keeps me in the dark. I felt like I didn't miss out on anything, which was so comforting!!!

He was exhausted after his day there, which is EXACTLY what I was hoping for! After a long day at work, I really didn't want to also have to expend a ton of energy trying to tire him out when we got home, so it was PERFECT!! He loved it so much there, he even started looking for his new fur friends when we got home - he was super bummed when I had to tell him they went to their houses, but that he'd see them again soon! Luckily he went back today to hangout with his buddies!!

I also love the fact I can not only keep him entertained during the day while I'm working, but the fact that this place is a one-stop-shop where I can even get him groomed while he's there! Plus they offer such wonderful upgrades and even host events like photoshoots and foam parties to keep my little guy feeling extra loved and entertained throughout the day!

As well, the staff has been so sweet and patient with me as well in answering all my MANY questions, even prior to Pickles starting daycare. I had called when searching for a daycare for him, and they were so informative and kind with all my inquiries. I felt badly for having so many questions, but I just wanted to make sure I found the best place for my little guy, which clearly...I did!! Specifically Kaitlin, Christian, Ben, and Kayla were who I spoke with thus far, and they truly couldn't have been kinder to both myself and Pickles. They made us feel so included and at home, which really solidified that I made the right choice!!

Overall, I highly recommend Canine to Five Midtown, and can't say enough good things about it!! :)

UPDATE 8/1: Canine to Five Midtown continues to be one of the best businesses I’ve ever worked with! I informed them my puppy was sadly bit in the face by another dog when we were out to dinner, and they were so kind and understanding! They even extended my introductory unlimited package by a week, since that’s how long Pickles would need to be out to heal. Not only that, but they sent me an amazingly thoughtful and incredibly kind get well card that each of the staff signed!!

I didn’t think companies like this existed anymore - ones that truly cared about their customers and willing to go the extra mile. They haven’t just gone one mile, they’ve gone soooo many for Pickles and myself! It’s so heartwarming to have found them and to be apart of the Canine to Five family! I’m so happy and grateful that my sweet boy has a second home and family to spend time with while I’m at work all week. If you don’t send your furry loved one to Canine to Five Midtown, then you’d be doing them a hugeee disservice, because there’s honestly no place better where they’ll be cared for and loved as if they were their...