Disclosure: This post is sponsored by PetSmart® and the BlogPaws® Pet Influencer Network. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about PetSmart Grooming Salons, but Daily Dog Tag only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. PetSmart is not responsible for the content of this article.
I’m not sure if anyone else has experienced that awkward moment when you realize your beloved, ADORABLE dog, is actually a hot mess, but that is what happened to me recently. Due to a case of the winter blahs, I skipped taking Nelly and my sister’s dog, Darla, to PetSmart® Grooming for a lot longer than I should have. Thankfully, though, the groomers were able to get them ready for spring. All photos are courtesy of Alice G Patterson Photography.
As embarrassing as it is, I’m going to share some of the before photos so you can appreciate the transformation.
Nelly is supposed to be a white dog, but she had taken on a beige hue and was well on her way to becoming a mini-me for the original Shaggy Dog. I’m not going to lie; I was really tempted to give her a bath before these photos.
I’m not exactly sure what she has in her mustache, but let’s just go with “breakfast.” I was happy to drop off my little ragamuffin knowing she was in capable and caring hands at PetSmart. Last year I learned that the PetSmart salon associates acquire an annual safety certification including learning signs of distress and recognizing pet medical conditions. The groomers (who cut hair) have over 400 hours of additional hands-on training.
Nelly got the top dog treatment which includes:
Bath & Brush
- Oxygen-infused bath
- Shampoo washing & blow dry
- 15-minute brushing
- Nail trim
- Ear cleaning, hair removal & flushing (if needed)
- Scissoring feet & pad shaving
- Sanitary trim
- Anal gland cleaning
Upgraded Services
- Choice of premium shampoo
- Milk bath conditioner
- Scented cologne spritz
- Teeth brushing & breath freshener
- Bandana or bow (Nelly got both for being a good girl)
Nelly has some allergies, so I always request the hypoallergenic shampoo. As you can see, it gets her clean and fresh!
As for Darla, I can promise you there’s a whole dog underneath that poof; she was just a little hard to find.
Since Darla has such a thick coat, she needed different services. Alice opted for the Bath, Haircut, and Furminator. The groomer used the Furminator on Darla to help get rid of that thick winter coat and trimmed her up a bit.
One of the great things about PetSmart Grooming is they offer a “Look Great Guarantee” so if you don’t like the grooming, they will make it right or it is free.
I love Darla’s little ears!
What a difference their spa day made!
PetSmart is on Instagram and shares the cutest pet photos. You can follow PetSmart on Facebook and Twitter.
If your dog (or cat!) needs a little attention to look its best, you can book an appointment online as well as call for an appointment. They also offer some walk-in services.
All pets need current rabies vaccinations and proof of vaccination from their vet. Rabies vaccination needs to be administered 48 hours before service and must be over eight weeks old.
About Alice G Patterson Photography: Based in Syracuse, New York, Alice specializes in senior portraits, photography for small businesses and dog photography.
Reader Comment Disclaimer: Comments submitted may be displayed on other websites owned by the sponsoring brand.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of PetSmart. The opinions and text are mine.
Darla is very appreciative of her Petsmart Grooming!! 🙂
Cute! They look great! All dolled-up!
Thanks Kristin 🙂
Your dogs are so stinking cute!!
Thank you, we think so too!
Aw I don’t think Nelly looks that bad in her before pic. But wow the afters look great! Looks like they had a pawfect spa treatment!
I actually love Nelly in her shaggy form, but she needed a bath. When her hair is long, then she starts to get matted which are uncomfortable for her.
I think I took her in just in time, there’s a small window between shaggy and matted. Fortunately, she didn’t have any mats.
Wow! What a difference PetSmart Grooming can make! They look gorgeous. I love after Pierre goes for his special day. ♥
I love how soft they are right after being groomed. They enjoy the extra petting too.
Your fur babies are adorable! I’m lucky, my doxador is so low maintenance and has short hair so we never have to get her groomed!
A doxador sounds cute! My Puggle doesn’t need haircuts, but he does need to go in for nail trims. He’s very protective of his toenails.
Awww, such cuties. I groom my dog myself but used to love it when I was a kid and our poodle would come back all done up with a jaunty bow on her neck!
Nelly and Darla are adorable! They look pretty before their baths and so glam after! They really are beautiful girls!
Thank you so much, Leslie
What an amazing makeover! They were both cute already, but after the transformation they are simply gorgeous.
They are adorable! And they look so beautiful after, but they looked cute before grooming too. 🙂
How nice they look after their makeover.
Nice transformation! PetSmart always does a great job.
Fortunately, this cannot happen with our guys. Great make-over, though 🙂
Theo is my Puggle, and he doesn’t need any haircuts, but he does benefit from a good brushing.
Lovely makeover! I like the little bow on Darla’s head.
aww what cuties
Nelly and Darla look beautiful! Wow, Nelly really got the spa day works. My girl Phoebe was a hot mess after the Winter too, I also waited a tad too long to get to our PetSmart groomer! They have such wonderful groomers at PetSmart, they always do a great job.
I love the extra spring touch Phoebe got this time. I might try it the next time I take Nelly to PetSmart.
I feel like I’ve seen this adorable picture before! The look so neat and clean! It reminds me that it’s time to get my pup in for her monthly groom!
I love how soft and fluffy they are after going to the groomer.
These too are so adorable- even before the make-overs.
Thank you!
What a couple of cutie pants! I love that they look so fresh and clean – and most of, happy! Thanks for sharing these adorable ones with us!
Both dogs look adorable. I can’t get over how white the fur in on your little cutie pie! The photos are adorable!
OMG these pictures are so adorable. Groomer did a great job, and the photographer caught some awesome photos
Oh my goodness they look so good. What a nice job
They are so cute! How beautiful they look after their grooming. We love PetSmart here!
These haircuts turned out great! They both look like they’ve had a weight lifted off of them. It is a lot easier to see their facial features, so it must be a lot easier for them to use them. 🙂 Yay for PetSmart grooming!
They look so good after their grooming!! It’s really cool that the associates get so much training.
Simply irresistible!!
Thanks Aimee!
Now they are rocking it. Really are adorable.
Thanks Candy!
Oh gosh what a transformation. I love Darla’s ears and how they peak out!
Oh my goodness, your babies are so cute!!! I recently got a puppy and we use the vet at Petsmart but havn’t tried the groomer yet.
I just checked out your blog and your Beagle is adorable!
My sister uses pet smart for her pup and she is always super pleased with their service!
xoxo, SS
I think that PetSmart is really doing a good job of training their employees to make sure grooming is a positive experience for the dogs.
Boy oh boy did they ever get prettied up! I’m totally impressed.
Thank you!
This whole post made me smile so big!! What cuties and the before and afters are everything 😀
Thank you so much! We adore them.
what a couple of cuties! how did you get them to pose so well?
To be honest, my sister is pretty patient, and her reflexes are fast! Darla (the black one) is used to modeling, but Nelly isn’t as well trained.
Cute furbabies!
Oh my gosh, these puppies are the cutest! They seem to be such great posers, super models for sure. Looks like they had a great time being pampered! 🙂
xx, Kusum | http://www.sveeteskapes.com