Why not spoil your dog with a trip to PetSmartยฎ Grooming? Every dog deserves some time at the spa. I sent my little sister Bailie off for her first ever professional grooming. I will show you how it went from check in, to the bath, to the finished product. Did Bailie like it? Did she look amazing? Read on to find out!
This post is sponsored by PetSmart and the BlogPaws Professional Pet Blogger Network. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about PetSmart Grooming Salons, but My GBGV Life only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. PetSmart is not responsible for the content of this article.
The PetSmart Grooming Process
Booking an appointment
Bailie is always groomed at home but it is not quite the thorough job a dog gets with a professional dog groomer. It was time for Bailie to really get spiffed up, so Mom made an appointment online with our local PetSmart grooming Salon. Did you know if you book online, you can choose your favorite groomer, get a call, text alerts, or emails notifying you when your pet is ready to be picked up. There a few rules you need to know before setting up an appointment to spoil your dog:
- All pets need current rabies vaccinations and proof of vaccination from their vet
- Rabies vaccination needs to be administered 48 hours prior to service.
- No grooming services will be performed on pets 8 weeks old or younger.
- Customers cannot go behind the double doors separating the salon lobby from the grooming area for the safety of our pets and associates.
Before the bath
Bailie met with her groomer, Alex, when she arrived at the salon. Since it was Bailie’s first time at a grooming salon, she was a bit nervous, but Alex has been trained to handle dogs in many situations. All PetSmart salon associates acquire annual safety certification and take additional course work where they learn about dog anatomy, signs of stress, and common medical conditions. The PetSmart groomers that give haircuts receive an additional 400 hours of hands on training! Before heading for the tub, Bailie got a little loving from Alex, followed by a nail trim, and fur shave on the bottom of her paws.
Bath time
It’s now tub time! Bailie loves water, but baths are not high on her list of favorite things! Alex gently placed her in the tub, and slowly wet her down from top to bottom with the amazing oxygen infused bathing water and out of the same hose comes the exact amount of shampoo and conditioner for the dog in the tub! No guess work involved! PetSmart salons feature a variety of professional-quality shampoos and conditioners including skin solutions, deShedding, and flea & tick treatments. Alex gently massaged, and lathered Bailie up from ears, to paws, to her tail. She even took a moment to check and empty Bailie’s anal glands.
No time is wasted during bath time. While the conditioner is sitting in the fur, Alex got out the toothbrush and polished up Bailie’s chompers!
Time to dry off
After the bath, Bailie was soaking wet, so the first step in drying off was a bit of toweling off. Look at that face! Even though she was still a bit nervous about the whole deal, Bailie is enjoying herself!
The towels get some excess water off, but the air dryers do the rest of the work. PetSmart uses air dryers which blow cool air out of vacuum like hoses. At first Bailie was a bit scared but she then relaxed.
The finishing touches
The finishing brush
Once Bailie was dried off, she returned to the front end of the salon. Alex got out the finishing brush and brushed her down from head to toe. This brush makes her fur shine, gets it to lie down, and puts a smile on her face.
Tidying up the beard
GBGV’s are dogs with beards, even us girls. Our beards gather all sorts of treasures humans need to comb out, and they need to be trimmed up to keep them from looking shaggy.
Nail grinding
Before her bath, Bailie got her nails clipped, but now it was time to grind them down so they are nice and smooth. She didn’t mind that a bit. We have a grinder at home, so she is used to it.
Paw fur trim
The last step in Bailie’s spa day was to trim up the fur around her paws. She always has “wild” fur all over, but now with the rest of her body tamed down, the paws needed attention. The before and after shots really show how much better they look.
The finished product
Bailie’s transformation is now complete. Her fur looks so soft and shiny. She looks great and seems to be feeling great! Did you know PetSmart salons offer a “Look Great Guarantee”, which means they promise you will be happy with your pet’s service, or they will do whatever necessary to make it right, including offering your money back! We are completely happy with the dog grooming Bailie received, and her groomer Alex was so sweet and caring with Bailie every step of the way.
Alex offered to put bows in Bailie’s ears. Bailie thought it was pretty cool, and they were her favorite color, purple, too!
Back at home we got good comparative before and after shots of Bailie. She looks much better after grooming. If you spoil your dog with a PetSmart grooming, share your experience in photos with them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Not all dogs need fancy cuts and trims. Bailie is pretty much wash and wear, but even so, she looks noticeably better after her grooming at PetSmart! Spoil your dog for the upcoming holidays with a PetSmart grooming salon appointment!
you did look beautiful after your Spa Bailey
She cleans up pretty well, but after a few shakes her furs like to stand up again.
Emma, tell Bailie she looks beautiful! WE do not have a Petsmart in my town, but we do have a Petco. I was at Petco just last week for my spa day. XOXO Sparkle the PBGV
We have both around here. We were quite impressed with the service and look after Bailie’s grooming.
is it possible that they use champagner extra DRY instead water? if, the count me in :o)
I’ve got a request in for straight Bowser Beer ๐
Bailie looks maahhhhvelous, daaaling!! Shadow gets her grooming done by her Auntie Andrea, who is a professional groomer. And Ducky gets her groomings down at daycare.
There are a lot of places to get grooming done, and with our breed, it is hard because of our furs needing hand stripping. Bailie has real thin hair, so she rarely needs stripping and Mom does it herself, but the rest of the stuff is fun to have done professionally now and then.
Wow, looks like some major spa days over here!! Petsmart did a great job!!!
แฆ husky hugz แฆ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
Bailie looked fabulous! She said it was a bit scary, but not too bad for a first time.
Looking fresh as a Daisy! I’ve yet to meet a pup who didn’t love a good towel rub on their face after a bath. Feels good and, even better, signals bath time is over.
Mom never thought about the towel being a signal, but you are right!
Emma, I think you just maybe forgot something about giving a GBGV a bath, we need to be all combed out first. If we’re not any tangles or small mats will get bigger, tighter, and closer to our skin. They can even get so tight that they need to be shaved off!! Guess how I know about this Emma – the first time I went to the groomer I came back looking like I’d been through a lawn mower.
Yesterday I was at with Alex, so I guess she gets around. near my house offers a special deal to trim a doggy’s face, feet, and fanny, which are exactly the spots that sometimes need a little trimming. It only takes about ten minutes and I came out looking just lovely, and my eyes were easier to see. Then I did a big gigantic shake and my face looked all messy again, but my paws stayed neat and my “sanitary area,” as Alex called my butt, is still tidy. I’m still a little worried about my weanie, because that’s a very important part of my body and Alex shaved all the manly hair off around it, but I might get used to it. I loved grooming so much that I wanted to lie down on the table! Maybe next time I’ll try a bath!
Good job going to the groomer Bailie!
Bailie’s hair is real thin and very wiry. She rarely gets a tangle and doesn’t need much stripping or trimming either. I’m the one who needs all the work and fuss. We learned early on my hairs like to tangle, so I’m always getting combed and brushed so I don’t get mats.
My hairs like to tangle, too, Emma and it’s not fair because I don’t like combing when it hurts. Stupid hairs.
Oh Bailie, you look so pretty! โฅ I think you look more Basset-like when you are wet! BOL! BOL! I’m glad that you enjoyed your time at PetSmart. They did a terrific job on Pierre, too. Mama says that she should let them bathe and FURminator me. I don’t know…โฅ โฅ Hugs, Bentley
That bath photo stuff is exactly why I didn’t go myself. How embarrassing! She doesn’t look a bit like herself all wet, but she dries off beautifully! It was a great experience for her.
My you do look beautious sweet Bailie! Hey, did you take Bert along?
No, he refused to go when he heard about the bath part!
Looking good! We are glad we don’t need that
Lily & Edward
You guys could just get the bath and nail trim, nothing else needed.
Wow, Bailie looks amazing and very mature with her new spiffed up look! It sounds like they are very thorough and do a great job there. I love the trimmed up paws…that’s always my favorite thing on Sheba when she goes to the groomer (I try to trim them myself sometimes but they don’t look nearly as good). We unfortunately don’t have a PetSmart nearby yet.
One day you will live near a PetSmart and Nose Work school. I see it in my fur covered crystal ball!
My dogs really enjoy their grooming sessions with me.
Neither Bailie nor I like getting groomed but we deal with it. Sometimes it is just easier to let someone else do it.
Bailie, you look so good! She seems like she really enjoyed her spa day! How fun!
She did pretty well, and I’m sure it helped having Mom right there for comfort. It was a good experience.
Love the comparison – what a difference. Bailie is always cute, but now she’s got those Farrah Fawcet locks flowing…Jack says va-va-voom!
She loves the boys and they love her! Never thought of her as a Farah Fawcet!
Wow! Looks like a fantastic spa day!
Bailie had a nice time and came out looking great!
You look beautiful Bailie!
She had a nice time and came home looking fabulous.
You sure look spiffy, Bailie! Our mom says SHE wants a day at the spa! MOL
You should send her so she doesn’t get the idea to send you!
Looks like a fun spa day!!!
Smileys!
Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo
Bailie was a bit unsure at first, but she got into it and came out shining.
Bailie sure looks fabulous!! She looks very relaxed and happy! That’s the way a spa day should be!! Now…when is yours???
I had mine last week at another place. My furs need hand stripping which is something most places don’t do, but PetSmart is perfect for Bailie as her furs are easy.
Aww, so pretty, Bailie! I love those before/after pics. And that “during” picture really brings out the hound look that’s hidden under all that hair!
Hopefully Bailie never gets lost in a rain storm, no one will know who she is! She looks so different, but she dries out nicely.
Bailie looks great, what a transformation! We love Petsmart grooming and mom uses the online booking for Taffy. When they opened the little store by use she started taking Taffy there and we get the same groomer every time. Cockers need a lot of work too as much as Bailie but she was used to being groomed before at least. Love Doly
Bailie is pretty easy. I’m a huge piece of work, but that is a whole different story, LOL! We are impressed with how well it went.
Bailey – your expression while getting your teeth brushed is my fav. Priceless. You seem to enjoy your spa days like Harley. Good girl.
She gets them brushed every night, but I guess in the middle of a bath by a stranger kind of caught her off guard.
Wow, I can’t believe your PetSmart let you back there to take photos during the bath. We couldn’t even go inside to take the shots during the brushing… we had to take them behind the glass.
Our PetSmart was super nice to us. We could do pretty much anything. It was a great experience.
a day of pampering and you look beautiful
Bailie looked real nice, but I think her furs need hairspray as they were all standing up again not long after leaving the groomer.
WOW, that is a great difference and adorable all around – they did a great job.
We hardly recognized Bailie since her furs weren’t standing on end as usual! She cleans up nicely, and they were so very kind to Bailie and Mom.