It wasn’t until I arrived in Charleston, that I started paying attention to the abundance of mobile grooming vans in the area…
As I searched for a clone of the Olde Towne Pet Resort grooming salon we left behind, I contemplated whether or not I should give “grooming on wheels” a try.
Having never been inside one – Youtube sufficed as my best bet for a tour of one in Naples, Fl…
Impressive, especially if all the vans are this clean and use such state of the art equipment!
Here’s an abbreviated list of benefits AND “potential” drawbacks utilizing mobile grooming stations.
ADVANTAGES –
- Convenience – No brainer here, the groomer comes to you!
- Less Stress – If your pet suffers from separation anxiety when he/she is away from you OR if they get car sick, then this is the work around for you.
- Private – Many pets do not appreciate being around other animals. If this is the case with your pet – then this would solve a huge problem.
DISADVANTAGES –
- Cost – Like anything else – convenience is bound to cost you a little more.
- Tight Quarters– From what I could see in the video, it was well designed to maximize space, yet it looked a little too small and confining. the thought of Jaxson inside a van with the walls so close and me not around would make me anxious.
- Location – We live on a relatively busy street. I would be terrified of an inexperienced, text messaging, heavy gas “pedal to the metal” moron not paying attention and plowing into the back of the van during a shampoo and a rinse. I shudder at the thought.
QUALIFIED PET GROOMER –
Locating the pawfect loving competent groomer for your dog isn’t easy. Whatever your preference – brick and mortar or on wheels – the main focus is qualifications and a love for animals.
Do your homework, ask the right questions, and start slow.
On our first few visits I only schedule a bath. We work our way up to a full groom.
Pay attention to your dogs personality when they leave and watch them closely when you bring them back.
The second time we walked into a particular grooming salon, Harley was very apprehensive. He was pleading with his eyes not for me to leave him. I put my two dirty doodles back in my car and came home! #suredid
MOBILE GROOMING –
Apparently this industry seems to be growing by leaps and bounds all across the country. I’m happy for those who are able to have their pups serviced when possibly – otherwise – wouldn’t have been able to do so.
Mobile Grooming is certainly an alternative, but for me and my Boys – I think we’re going to stay put!
Only 12 minutes away makes it a quick drive over a gorgeous bridge. Both Boys love the groomers. Interacting with the staff is always fun, and shopping in their bakery is a treat. #punintended
The Boys get bathed together…
…and Jaxson loves to sit in the waiting area chair while they “prepare” his tub #cantmakethisstuffup
So I think we’ll stick with brick and mortar. What about you? Have you tried mobile grooming stations yet?
It’s Monday – go the extra mile – it’s never crowded ❤️
October 2, 2017
We have seen them around here occasionally but we like going to the spa. It’s close to our house and not a big deal to get there.
October 2, 2017
We have some of those here too. (We do our own grooming, as we don’t trust groomers. Too many rough collies come out shaved!). But we to keep them in shape for dog shows, we learned how to do our grooming. But compared to doodles, poodles, Portuguese Water Dogs, etc, we don’t have to do nearly as much. For us it’s all about the brushing!
I have heard the mobile dog groomers really make a difference for dogs who are fearful of going to get groomed.
October 2, 2017
The boys look pretty darn happy where you take them, so you definitely don’t want to mess with that!
We do have some mobile groomers around here, and I never realized they have water and everything right there on the truck – that’s pretty impressive!
Grooming around here consists of baths only, so with our nice walk-in shower, I handle those!
October 3, 2017
The mobile option looks pretty cool for sure but like you, we still drive to our regular groomer. Your boys seem pretty happy about it, too.
October 15, 2017
Right now I’m struggling. We have been taking Pedro to the same groomer for 6-7 years and she adores him, she was an acquaintance of Daddy (my husband) from high school and we’ve become friendly. However for different reasons she has moved her business to a small space inside her house (I guess used to be her garage) and the last couple of times we’ve taken Pedro, he has pulled away, refused to go in… we left him anyway and everything was okay. We both think it’s the smaller space (her older space was open, airy and had the capacity to have a few dogs) now I think she will have Pedro and a smaller dog and I think that’s it… but my spidy senses are tingling. I don’t know if I want to take him elsewhere, he’s almost 10 and to start all the “search for the perfect groomer” again, at his age… at mine!… but your post has made me think again and I just might have to… wish me luck.