Groomingdale’s of Austin

Lori is just outstanding! It’s very clear that she cares a great deal about the animals she works on. I’ve had the pleasure of sharing my home with sweet little poodles for over 16 years and have been to many groomers in that time… her work is simply top notch. Birdie always leaves Groomingdale’s looking, smelling and feeling fabulous! Cannot recommend highly enough.

I have two Bichons and a Bichon mix who is a rescue. I have been going to Groomingdale’s for over two years and I absolutely love Tomay and the staff at Groomingdale’s. I had tried several local groomers, two different mobile groomers without really ever feeling like my babies had the best cuts or the best care. When a friend recommend Tomay to me, I talked to her, told her I wanted them to look like Bichons. I have never been disappointed or walked in and they were shaved to the skin because they were too matted (which happened several times before even though they were not matted). When I got my rescue, I called Tomay and told her he was a little aggressive and would she be okay with me bringing him in. She said yes, and reassured me when I went to pick him that he did fine. His aggression was from being on the streets and being scared. Tomay is not only a top notch groomer but her love and compassion for these babies is a comfort to me. The only regret is I live about an hour away and wish it was closer. lol

I’ve since moved to Leander and still drive all the way to Groomingdale’s for Clarabel’s appointments with Lori. She does such a great job, and is so kind to my fur-​baby.
Both customer service and grooming = A+!!

Groomingdales has always done a spectacular job with my sweet cat Daphne. She looks amazing every time. She is a Persian and it is hard to find a good groomer but they nail every cut from just a clean up to a lion cut. We both appreciate everything y’all have done!

I had never been here before, but needed a place to simply get the mats out of my cat’s fur.
Went to pick her up, they said they had to shave her (which I didn’t want) but hair grows back, so I paid. They put her in the crate and we got in the car. I took her out to look at her before pulling out of the parking lot and I could not even recognize her. Long story short, wasn’t my cat. They had two cats that afternoon and somehow got them mixed up. If I hadn’t pulled her out of the crate, I would’ve got home with the wrong cat and my cat would’ve been with someone else.
On top of that, my cat was so unhappy and mad for several days after the fact. She is NEVER like that… wouldn’t even let me pet her for awhile.

I feel kind of bad not writing a review of this place when it was good, but it has gone down hill in my opinion in the last few months, and I will be looking for a new groomer.
I have a mini schnauzer and the last few times he’s gone, he’s been very depressed for several days after. Because he can’t talk, I’m not sure why, but he used to be happy after being groomed here.
But what has really sealed the deal for me is that my dog just had a vet visit because his ears were stinky. The vet said that he had a bacterial infection in his ear and that my groomer had obviously not been doing a good job with pulling the long hair out of his ears, which led to bacterial overgrowth (mini schnauzers have this problem). This is standard grooming for schnauzers, so what have I been paying Groomingdale’s for? I should add that my dog’s last grooming session was only a month ago. I bring him every other month. I guess I’ve learned my lesson. I’ll look inside my dog’s ears after grooming at whatever place I go to next.

Love this place! My dogs look beautiful and even though my old dog bit one of them, they were still lovely about it. Really nice people… can’t say enough!

My schnauzer mix Gracie was in desperate need of some grooming. Poor thing looked like an alley dog. I look around and settled on Groomingdales, but I couldn’t take her myself. So my husband had to drop her off. However, I forgot to tell him how I wanted her cut. They asked questions and offered different styles. The staff is just so kind and patient. My sweet husband was no help and they couldn’t get a hold of me, so they just did what they thought would look best.
Btw, I never give Gracie a schnauzer cut, because I think it makes her look like an old man. So I have no idea what they’ve done. When I pick her up, I’m amazed at how adorable she looked and she smelled amazing. It was like they read my mind and knew exactly what to do! Also, she was so happy. When I’ve picked her up from other places she has this, ‘Get me the hell out of here!’ look on her face. But this time she looked calm and relaxed. This place has earned my business. Gracie is not a pure bred dog. She’s just my sweet little buddy. I’m not a pure bred owner, so please know what I’m looking for is a place where they clean and groom my dog well and where she feels comfortable. Were both happy about Groomingdales of Austin!

I have a Scottish Terrier and Miniature Schnauzer and they both have been to Groomingdale’s several times. I always have a great experience there and Cynthia is always polite and professional. I would recommend this place for dog bathing/​grooming if you are in the area!

I love this place. They treated my cat with dignity and made her look beautiful.

I have a 1 yr old imperial shit tzu that got BUTCHERED on her 2^nd visit to groomingdale’s. There was no acknowledgement of the OBVIOUS error when I picked her up.
My shih tzu went to groomingdale’s back in April or May for her first groom and it was fine. I’m letting her hair and face all GROW– think traditional shih tzu with long, flowing hair. That being said when I take her to get groomed all I ask is for her privates and feet to be trimmed/​shaped up, and the other standard grooming services, nails, glands, and for her top knot.
Second visit, I dropped her off to one girl and we went over her card from previous visit. So again I’ve stated only trim around her privates and feet. I also show her a matte in one armpit that I’ve been unable to get out. I tell her it’s okay if they need to shave her armpit to get matte out. She proceeds to tell me that they may need to use thinning sheers to remove it because it’s more comfortable for dog.
NEVER Does she say that they will use thinning sheers to thin her undercoat.
I pick up my dog and also large boxer who was really excited and dragging me to car. Cynthia was fixing pups top knot that had already come out and I peeked in and asked how she was. Ect, really quick and got pulled out to car. Nothing was mention other than she cried.
We moved to OK after first visit and she is groomed regularly there. She goes weekly/​biweekly for baths or cleanup, and a full groom monthly. So, this is a dog that goes to the groomer often; I’m familiar with the process and know specifically what I want. I’m very communicative to the groomer and let them exactly what I want each visit– no different this visit.
Immediately we noticed the huge chunk taken out of the top of her saddle (the longest point of her beautiful coat)! We called and Cynthia said she didn’t know what we were talking about– she have to see the dog but maybe when she was «flipping around– it was actually pretty funny» she got a piece with the sheers. Funny?!
You would have to be blind or trying to get away with a huge mistake to not have «noticed». No acknowledgement of this mistake upon pick up is my second biggest problem– besides my dog is gonna have to wear sweaters for 6mos!
The next day she says that she didn’t notice when she had finished grooming… That’s probably what I’d have said if I messed up that bad. But let’s pretend you’re a professional and acknowledge when a mistake occurs before I pay, tip, and walk out thanking you.
Cynthia says she must have slipped with the sheers when she was thinning her undercoat. Umm hello? Thinning her undercoat? Never discussed in my very specific instructions. Shame on me for not being more through with who I let groom my dog. And she is suppose to be the manager?
After we asked for refund and she countered with a free groom (hell no my dog isn’t going back) she had to call owner to get a check mailed to me? I hope it shows up.
Follow up note– A very sincere apology note and refund did show up from the owner, Tomay. I appreciate her trying to rectify the situation.

I have a poodle/​bischon mix, he’s a rescue so not entirely sure of the breed. I am not particular in any way about how he his groomed, just as long as he is cleaned up more so than the job I can do bathing him at dirty dog. I had taken him to Groomingdale’s maybe 3 times before and each time was fine, nothing exceptional but nothing unbearable to look at either. Just a clean, fresh pup with a nice little bandana on to boot. So my issue starts on my 4^th visit there. I was unable to pick him up since they have you drop your dog off between 8 – 10 and then they will call when they’re ready for pick up. Well from previous experience I knew I wouldn’t be receiving the p/​u call until after 4pm. Because of this my roommate picked him up for me. When I got home that evening I was in total shock to see him shaved down to the skin. THE PINK SKIN! Even his long 14inch tail was shaved raw. I was shocked considering when I dropped him off I specifically said not to take much length off, again I’m not particular about the shape or anything else. He just looks better with slightly longer hair so I try and keep it that way. I did also mention to them that he was starting to get a little matting on one of his hind legs so if they needed to shave into that, totally fine, please do. I was shocked when I saw this large, white, what looked to be a possum staring back at me. I tried to call Groomingdale’s the next day just to let them know that I was slightly taken back with the fact that he was shaved to the skin. I got the machine so I didn’t leave a message. Fast forward 3 months and it was time again for him to be groomed, although I had sworn off Groomingdale’s, because of it’s convenience in location I figured I’ll give it one more shot and just let them know what happened last time. When I dropped him off the girl was very sweet and I specifically said please don’t shave him down, it was way too much last time. When I picked him up later, he looked normal which made me happy. So as they were running my credit card for the $ 85 that it costs I asked if they had record of who had done it the time before and if I could specifically request to not have her again. Since the sweet girl ringing me up couldn’t figure it out because it wasn’t initialed by the groomer, she went to ask Cynthia the manager. Well Cynthia was clearly busy and I think frustrated, so I let Cynthia know the only reason I’m asking is because the last time he was groomed someone shaved him down to the skin. Cynthia then proceeds to look at the card and say to me «well he was extremely matted, we had to» I calmly replied «yes, he was starting to get some matting on his leg so for you to shave that I would completely understand but he was even shaved down his tail, everywhere.» Cynthia was so defensive with me and then stated, «no he was severely matted, it was so bad I think I even took pictures». I of course asked to see the pictures and she said she was too busy to look for them. I left there so upset, I was not looking for an altercation of any kind. I think a part of me just wanted a simple «we’re sorry if we cut him too short». I had already paid the charge plus tip so I wasn’t looking for a discount of any kind either but to then be met with such rudeness and to insinuate as a dog owner that I let my dog become «severely matted» was so insulting. My dog has become my world since adopting him, he even shares my bed. After I left there I was so upset and angered for the way Cynthia treated me that this time I did absolutely swear them off. We have since been to Woofgang on Lamar and it was an exceptional experience!

My schnauzer just came home from his 3^rd visit to Groomingdale’s and once again — a great experience. He’s always happy with his haircut (is ‘himself’; not mopey), and looks great. The staff is so nice — and they cut him exactly as I ask. I LOVE that the dogs aren’t crated and have freedom to roam as they wait to be picked up. They’re so smart in scheduling pickups so that the lobby doesn’t get full of people and animals. Love this place!

My short-​haired dogs don’t require grooming, but I like to leave the nail trimming to the professionals. I’ve taken advantage of the walk-​in nail trim service twice, and I’ve been happy with the quality of service. The location is great, and the staff has been friendly to me and my dogs. The price is quite reasonable and they get us in and out quickly. I’ve never had to wait, but I do always call ahead to see if they are busy.

Disappointed in the unreliable service.
Their website says that they offer walk in nail trims Tuesday– Saturday 11am-​4pm. Given this information I would expect to be served arriving at 3:35pm on a Saturday. After torturing my poor cat by shoving her in the carrier and driving her in the car, I arrive to find out that all of the groomers have LEFT for the day and therefore I would not be served. Ridiculous.
This is the second time I’ve been disappointed in their lack of reliability. There was a day in January or February that I arrived at 3pm on a Tuesday afternoon to find them closed with no sign on the door, no update to their website, and no outgoing message on their machine.
The only upside is that their prices are reasonable. So if you’d like to play service roulette in the name of saving a few bucks, go for it.

I have taken my dog (a bichon-​poodle) to several groomers in town and Groomingdale’s was not only the best haircut he’s ever had but it was also the most reasonably priced. The service was wonderful, my dog came back happy, and they even took care of some tough issues like matted fur and burrs. To top it off they sent me a wonderful note soon after reiterating that if there’s anything I would like to change about my dog’s cut in the future to let them know. So nice! I will definitely be going back.

I have been living in Austin for 3 years and in that time I have been to almost every groomer in the city limits. None of my experiences have been good, until I tried Groomingdale’s. As a concerned pet owner I hate to send my dogs to a place that doesn’t listen to the owner’s needs. Groomingdale’s does listen and cares about their clients.
My experience with other groomers has been subpar. I have an older dog with some health issues and when you are clipping her I would ask the groomer, please do not cut/​nip/​prick my dog. Inevitably, she always comes home with a nip. I didn’t have this problem with Groomingdale’s! Also, she had knee surgery on both legs and cannot stand for long periods of time and I would always ask, please let her rest during the grooming process, please, for my dogs’ sake. When I would pick her up she would always be limping. Not at Groomingdale’s they listened to my request and complied! Also, a pet peeve of mine is that cologne groomers smear on dogs, I really despise that fake smell. Not at Groomingdale’s they listened to my request and my dogs came home smelling like a clean dog.
A special shout out to Jessica, she is my girls’ groomer and I adore her. She scheduled a pre-​meeting with me and we talked about my concerns. She understood and promised I wouldn’t have those horror stories with her; guess what, Jessica was right. My dogs don’t mind coming here and that is mostly due to Jessica and the other ladies treatment to my girls.
Thank you Groomingdale’s for caring and listening!

We took our cockapoo puppy to Groomingdale’s for his first ever hair cut. We had read good reviews and decided we’d start there. It was easy to get an appointment, but I felt like I had to ask a lot of questions as a first-​timer as opposed to having them explained up front.
When we opened the door, we were flooded with the smell of dog musk and incessant barking, which made Watson flip out! It doesn’t help that all the dogs can see you when you walk in. Unlike others on here, I was actually uncomfortable with the fact that they have the dogs tied to grooming leashes on beds the entire time they are there.
We left Watson for the 4 – 5 hours they said were required and when we came to pick him up, they left him with a giant mustache (like a schnauzer). We politely asked if they might be able to trim it to match the length of hair on the rest of his snout and were told the groomers had already left, but that we could come back the next day, which we did! He looked so much better without the schnauzer-​stache and we were happier. However, as his hair grew out, we began to realize they hadn’t touched the hair on his legs or tail, so we had to get him groomed again just a few short weeks later (elsewhere). I just didn’t feel comfortable with the experience. We’ll keep looking for the right one!

Ok so I have a slightly temperamental cat with a long coat that tends to get matted very easily. So I was very pleased with this cute shop when I first went there two years ago. They shaved (lion cut) groomed trimmed and cleaned up my kitten for the price of 75 $.
Needless to say I was excited to get the same great results when I took my cat in again today for the same service. Unfortunately I was extremely disappointed. I got a call ffromthe groomer 4 hours after I dropped my cat off saying that they were not able to get any of the services done or even get him out of his carrier. I completely understand why you wouldn’t want to shave a feisty cat out of fear that you will hurt him but I have a hard time believing that they were unable to get him out of his carrier as they are professional groomers and he seemed perfectly calm when I picked him up.
Like I said, I understand why you would chose to turn an animal away if they are not stable enough to do the trim carefully. But it seems to me as if the level of expertise to the shop has gone down if the same shop couldn’t perform the same services on the exact same cat two years later. Just be Aware you have a temperamental animal you may be turned away

The staff was friendly, although when they called me to pick up my dog they warned me to «Act really excited, sometimes they’re embarrassed about their new look». This seemed really strange to me — major red flag.
Here’s why it’s 2 stars: They didn’t know how to groom a Corgi. In case you’re wondering… YOU NEVER SHAVE A CORGI. Part of it was my fault for not being specific about the grooming, but a professional groomer should have known that. They did give him a cute little scarf and he seemed to enjoy the experience, but the grooming itself was flawed.
However, a friend of mine has a Maltipoo that they did a great job on, so your milage may vary. I’d recommend researching the proper grooming techniques for your dog’s breed and explicitly communicating that to the groomer to make sure you avoid the problem I had.
Edit: Here’s some good info on why you never shave a double-​coated dog (like a corgi) —

Love love LOVE this place.
1. It’s super convenient for folks who work the daily grind: drop of your pup at 8 AM, pick up the pup by 6 PM. It’s like doggie daycare but your dog comes home so fresh and so clean!
2. Pricing — fantastic. It’s the perfect price point to keep customers coming back frequently for regular groomings. My dog is disgusting. He is insanely cute and I love him, but he is a sick nasty slobbery basset hound. His long droopy ears get nice and caked with mud/​food/​slobber, and his jowls — I don’t even want to get into his jowls.
3. Free-​range pups. My dog hates being put in a crate/​cage/​room and will cry and cry, so it’s really cool that the pups can roam free and rest on pillows.
4. $ 8 walk-​in nail trims.
5. They’re super nice and do a great job.

I’ve recently moved South and after trying two other groomers, I apologize for:
1) straying and 2) never writing a review.
Tomay and team are wonderful and my dog looks fabulous when I arrive to pick him up. The price is amazing and I love doing business with them
If I have one negative bit of feedback (why it’s 4, not 5, stars) they are inconsistent about calling to let me know he’s ready.