Doozydog! Club — Local services in Washington

I took our dog here for the first time on 8/4/17 for grooming services. The reviews were all great online and they had an opening. We walked in and we were greeted with smiles and excitement. Everything was very clean, calming music was playing, we watched the dogs playing in the daycare (mostly small dogs) which was also spotless and looked inviting (for small dogs). I added the $15 furminator and was told anal gland expressing was included with the 'Style Bar' experience--as were nails ("trim and grind") and ear cleaning. I was told it would be about an hour and a half. Again, everyone was SUPER friendly and I felt our dog was in good hands.

I came back an hour and a half later and our dog was just in the shower area. I figured, well, they probably did everything else and this was the final part. About 20-30min later they bring him out. He is happy (aren't they always when they get done) and damp. Very damp. Then I figured out it was the spritz because he smelled so good. He looked great, I paid the $92 bill (after a slight gasp..you know because they don't post their prices online and after driving there and finding parking it's not like I was going to leave and figured it would be worth it anyway) and back to the car we went.

Doggie jumped in the front seat and we were off. I noticed there was hair everywhere. I started petting him and there was just as much hair coming off of him as when I took him in. I thought to myself, oh well, he has a thick coat (even though Petco has never had a problem). Later that night my husband mentioned his nails and how jagged they were (we asked they use the dremel to smooth them out) and not really that short. I blew it off and just said we won't take him there again. Then the next day I noticed him shaking his head still so I checked his ears. I grabbed the cleaner and three cotton balls later finally had his ears clean (the first cotton ball was covered). OK, seriously?! Now I was kinda pissed. I paid $92 for an extremely sloppy job! Again, I blew it off and just vowed to never return.

Fast forward a week. Poor dog is sniffing his butt and the smell was just foul. I called Petco (where we normally take him and where he will ALWAYS go in the future) and asked if they could help and then asked if they could smooth his nails out. The nice associate explained that both anal gland expression and nails were walk-in services. I was still resolved to write off this bougie place with overpriced services, until she came back with the dog (seriously, maybe 10min) and told me his gland were completely full. I explained that we had just taken him to Doozydog! Club last week and they were supposed to do it. She said there was no way possible because the rag was soaked. I paid, pooch got a treat, and we were out with a fresh smelling butt and nice smooth nails.

Bottom line: if you have money to throw away on grooming and don't really care how well of a job is done, by all means, come here. Perhaps it was a fluke and somebody was having an off day. For $92 your staff can't afford to...

Update edit: My pup is always thrilled to go, but I’ve been frustrated with lack of accountability. She is supposed to receive a report card, and despite going for daycare and boarding, I have never once received an update. In February I had a boarding session that was unexpectedly extended, so I called and was offered for a manager to give me a ring and let me know how she was doing given the stay was longer than planned. I heard nothing. I picked her up, no report card. I emailed asking for one, no response for a week. I followed up. A woman called and apologized saying she would mark my account as 100% report card required. Another day of daycare and when I picked her up, I requested the report card and was told it would be emailed. Days go by. I email instead and am told the manager is out of town and they oversee all report cards so I’ll get one in a few days when the manager returns Wednesday. It is now the following Tuesday and no communication, no report card, no follow up. At my previous location on 18th Street, while it may not have had window access for the pups, I got an update on her every day. It doesn’t make a difference if the report card is a placebo, do what you say you will do. The continued lack of communication, despite being able to PAY to watch the webcams if you need, is not at all consistent with the way Doozydog seems to run the rest of the business. Unless the manager is the one personally observing the dogs all day, communicating with the owners shouldn’t be bottlenecked through one person. The usual care has glaring holes in it when I have to chase for promised elements of their business model on multiple occasions.

Recently moved to a different part of DC and was looking for a new daycare. I toured a few options and am SO PLEASED with how Doozydog! is working out for us.

From the initial walk through to any phone call afterward, the team was delightful. Upon arrival for drop-off, the single staff member at the desk was immediately faced with 5-6 other dogs all checking in at the same time. Everyone was handled with ease, the line moved quickly, and the manager supported the intake spike. Logistics? Check.

I like the split isn’t simply big or little. My medium dog had a grand time with dogs of her size, which automatically offered me more peace of mind. The tour of the facility was what locked me in… it seems brighter, higher quality care, and cleaner than other dog daycares we’ve attended or toured. The fact that there is a window with amazing natural light that flows throughout the space, along with interior windows to support a sense of transparency and safety was a win.

Was expecting a “yes/no” on her acceptance and was pleasantly surprised by being invited to see her in action as she settled in right at home among her new pals. That gave me the confidence to choose Doozy!Dog as our new...

I took my goldendoodle here to be groomed, and oh my god! What a mess they left my dog. I barely recognized her when I picked her up. They completely botched her haircut....and it gets better! They did not bathe her, her private parts had not been touched at all, so I had to put her in the bathtub and bathe her all over. I requested they pluck the hairs from inside her ears and they did not. It was a pathetic job!!!! I tried to speak with the assistant manger Kimonie, who appeared to be irrationally defensive and flip about the experience, and that's when I realized that this is normal for her. Her reaction to the situation spoke volumes. There are literally kids running this establishment including the groomer (beware there is a high turnover) with little to no experience. Apparently, there is a staffing issue where they only have one person to cut hair this young man named Ron who is just inexperienced (nothing wrong with that, gotta learn sometime) but needs help from an experienced groomer to supervise him. I get that this would be a fun environment, so would be a good place for teens to work, but that does not mean they do not need adequate supervision. Where are the owners of this business? What do they know of their business's day to day issues such as what I experienced, and are they okay with it? If Kimonie's reaction was one of shrugging and oh well, does it mean many unhappy customers have left defeated, and just moved on to other groomers with reasonable customer service without perhaps making it know like I am with this review?? Guess what the biggest joke was with my encounter with Kimonie? “Bring your dog back in, so we can fix the problem.” So why would I bring my dog back to the one and only groomer at this joint that butchered her haircut in the first place?! Such a damn shame 🤦‍♀️

Here's what I learnt! Do not take for granted that all establishments are the same, so ask questions of the groomer as you would with any potential employee before leaving your pet with them. Be assured they are worthy of the job, We’ve all been in an interview one time or the other , and know how it’s done. In the meantime….Stay away...