Unleashed Dog Grooming

I love Teri! She’s professional, responsible, honest and direct. She’s been grooming my dogs for the last 4 years and she has always done a great job. The negative reviews are lame…

Honestly, anyone who is a responsible and reasonable dog owner knows that Teri is the real deal. She offers what is needed most when entrusting your beloved pet. She puts the dogs needs ahead of anything else. If she finds your dog is unwell, or traumatized by grooming, she will stop everything and let you know. Your dogs health is her utmost concern. Truly. That is completely obvious. Plus, she has been in business for so long not because she does random walk in customers, but because they are repeat, long time clients who know a good thing when they have found it.
My first dog was groomed exclusively by Teri, he was quite a rascal, but she had a way with him. He walked out of there looking quite the dandy, despite himself. She was so great with him as he aged, and he never feared his grooming there.
I have a new pup, and would never go to anyone else. She has recommended going slow, so he doesn’t get overwhelmed. First we just did a nail trim. Next time, a brief bath and a teeny face trim. She isn’t trying to do anything other than encourage a healthy and happy relationship with my dog, which we will all enjoy in the long run.
Cranky dog owners should go elsewhere, because she is super busy, and I would like you to free up your spot for my Leo ;)
By the way, Teri is the first person I call when I have a health concern for my dog. She has talked me off of many a ledge, and given me great interim advice while I wait to see the vet. She is a WEALTH of information, and my go to for ANYTHING dog related.

I just read a review from someone who was having trouble breathing (joke). Bizarre.
I feel so fortunate to have our girls cared for by Teri and Unleashed! They are happy and relaxed and they look great! Thank you so much!!!
As for the strange review, I suggest you read between the lines.

I’m finally able to take a few deep breathes and feel some relief. I brought my pup to terry this past Saturday, aug 1. I’ve used her before and is a little snippy hon the phone but she seemed to do a good job, she did completely condemn the last groomer saying how bad of a job she did and she treats one of her workers like crap (Hispanic I think, young man) whom to me seemed like a very nice young gentlemen. I picked her up around 5:30 on Saturday and she looked great. The following day, Sunday I had to get up at 3:30a for work. I got home around 4p Sunday and she seemed ok but she woke me up several times in the nite licking her bottom. Monday morning as I was getting ready for work I saw blood coming from her anus. After a few moments of bawling my eyes out I immediately got a wet paper towel in one hand and my phone in the other, I called terry maybe 10 x? I left two msgs. Both asking her to call me back as soon as she gets this msg. I said jenny has blood all over her backside and I need to know exactly what she did. Terry is closed on Monday and I didn’t have the money to take her to urgent care, so I called the vet and said that maybe she knicked her and the licking was causing the blood. They suggested cold compresses and making sure she doesn’t lick it. So i spent Monday nite up using a cold compress on her and making sure she wasn’t licking it. I called terry on Tuesday morning at 10a, a few times, it wasn’t until I got so upset I left a msg telling her since she wasn’t going to take my call she would be hearing from my lawyer, within 30 seconds I got a call from her. Many words were exchanged. And she finally said, take her to my vet she would pay for it. As soon as I hung up I ran her to larkspur landing vet hospital, larkspur landing, CA. This was a terrible experience and too long to explain, search for my review of these really mean folks and inhuman treatment I received. I was told by a female vet that she didn’t think terry had anything to do with this, she couldn’t find anything and if I wanted further testing I should pay for it, as she was walking away I asked if I could get some paperwork, and without even turning around she threw her hands in the air and said“yeah whatever” I called terry as soon as I left. I told her what happened and her response was some stuff about her once being a vet tech, it was literally jibberish?! I told her how I was scheduled for two days of work this week and Monday was one if them, I had to call in because I was not going to leave jenny with a bleeding anus. Her response was that if I gave everyone money she would be out of business, I did not ask her for money. The only thing i asked her in prior conversation was if she going to take any financial responsibility. She also tried to turn the table and said“well why did u wait so long to take her to the vet”? That really pissed me off, my response was «I couldn’t afford to take her to urgent care, what little money i put aside was going towards a nice haircut for jenny» she’s a doodle and doesn’t shed. At one point as I was trying to ask her something about the grooming she said“look, I didn’t stick a blade up her”?! My thought? I hope to god u didn’t. I asked her, if u were me and ur dog was bleeding from the anus what would u do as a responsible pet owner? More jibberish, no concrete response. I burrowed some money and went to VCA Madera Hospital in corte madera. They were awesome! Dr Tamara Jacobson was fantastic, she listened to me and jenny went with her without any hesitation and came back to me happy, unlike the she vet at larkspur landing vet hospital. She ran under my chair trembling and ran back to me scared as hell. VCA even gave me a free cone so jenny wouldn’t lick the wound. Awesome. To conclude and apologies for the long review. Terry paid for her vet to basically make me feel like this was my fault and terry had no responsibility in my Jenny’s bleeding anus. The other vet from VCA madera pet hospital gave me a factual diagnosis and I could finally have a good nites sleep. No more money has been exchanged, terry has not called to see how jenny is doing, nor has she offered any money back for her grooming charge or my days work I lost. Shame in you terry, shame on you for your unbelievable and deceitful business ethics.

I highly recommend Unleashed Dog Grooming. Terry is very knowledgeable about dogs and I often ask her opinion about my dog’s health issues. She recommended a wonderful veterinarian when I moved to Marin. Terry and her assistant do a great job grooming my dog and I feel that she is very fair with her prices. Straight forward she is! She will tell you exactly what she thinks and she’s usually right when it comes to accessing animals. The enviornment is not fancy mancy but you don’t have to pay for doggie décor.

Unless your dog is completely matt-​free, don’t bother. The owner has a way of making you feel as though you are a totally irresponsible dog owner.

I have been going to Teri for years. It took me awhile to understand where her priorities are. She is first and foremost concerned for your dog. She calls me during the grooming process with updates. She doesn’t like the dogs to be left at her shop for longer than they have to, so if she says pick them up at 2pm… be there. On time. She has taught me so much about my dogs undercoat. The last groomer I had would shave my dog. not a good idea and Teri explains it all. I love her for that. Something you may not know about her is that she’ll drive 400 miles to one of the worst kill shelters in Southern California, load up her truck with the dogs that would be euthanized the next day. Teri then drives back to Marin County where she finds loving forever homes for every one of them! She is a dog angel. Her prices are great so I tip her and her assistant. We have a great relationship… because she trained me to be a better dog owner. I would give her 6 stars…

Terry is a great groomer. Knowledgable and fair priced. She took great care of my pomeranian.

It is actually a shock that anyone would write a bad review of Unleashed/​Teri the owner. Not possible– — it would just have to be someone with an inability to understand what dog grooming is. I have two dogs that weigh almost 60 pounds and are pretty difficult to groom. I am also not the best at brushing my dogs daily or weekly and the work that Teri has to do to un-​mat them is unfair to her but I try to bring them to her in some decent shape. She does a gorgeous job and more important, she treats them wonderfully and they LOVE her.
Teri the owner, who is a one woman show with an assistant– deals with every single aspect of grooming in the most caring, professional and interested way possible. I have been taking every dog that I have had to Terry for over 10 years.
First of all one of my dogs is very dependent and has issues with being afraid of people-​and some separation anxiety and wants to run away from strangers and people that he doesn’t trust. After one visit to Teri he honestly bounded into her shop with his tail wagging. And that is all the information that anyone would need,
that tells the story really.
Terry loves animals, she shows total concern for their health and well being, she
labors over grooming them and they not only look beautiful but they are treated
really really well. There is fresh air and light and she can see each dog and hear
each dog all day long. She gives me a full report on their skin, their ears, and whatever she sees that might be of any concern. I completely respect and admire her
work.
And really dog owners– please— I hear customers who sound like they think that they have taken themselves to Beverly Hills for a haircut— even when they haven’t
brushed their own dogs for a long time and expect her to de-​mat their dogs
easily– it takes hours to de-​mat dogs.
So thank you Teri for your wonderful and serious professionalism !!!

I was really put off by the unprofessional manner and rudeness of the owner Teri. I brought my labradoodle in a few months ago and he came home with shaved patches of hair where she was unable or unwilling to brush out his hair. He also had a raw wound in between one of his toes where they must have nicked him too close with their clippers. My pooch was clearly uncomfortable and kept licking the spot for over a week. We treated it with antibiotic ointment for a few days and thankfully it didn’t become infected.
I brought my dog back for a bath a few weeks ago and now realize that I shouldn’t have bothered to give them a second chance. When I arrived for our scheduled appointment, the owner had me wait outside for 10 minutes while she brought dogs in to her salon that she had brought with her. When she took a look at my pup she said «There is no way I could groom this dog. He has too many mats. You should probably bring him to your vet to give him a sedative and have them remove the mats.» Then she went on to say, «This is a puppy and he will be too difficult to handle since he’s not used to grooming.» She then took one of her electric clippers, turned it on and waved in in my dogs face to try to startle him (presumably so she could prove her point about him not being used to being groomed yet)!
Honestly, I walked out of that place with my pup and was thankful for the bullet we had just dodged by her not accepting my dog for grooming. She was rude and snappy with her employee (a nice guy who seemed to have a gentle nature with the dogs) and extremely unprofessional. I couldn’t help but wonder how the dogs that go in there are treated given how she behaved. It is also not comforting that her salon has closed window blinds from the street view and once inside customers are unable to see the area where the dogs are kept and handled (every other dog groomer I’ve been to has an open view or window to view the grooming area).
I don’t like having to post a negative review for a small local business owner, but I felt that I needed to post my experience so that other dog lovers could make an informed decision before bringing their dog here for grooming.

Doesn’t even deserve one star. Since I made the appointment on the phone they were rude and were making excuses to take my dog. When we took him there they didn’t accept him because of reasons I have never heard (the dog cannot bark!, his eyes are dirty (of course that is why he is getting groomed!) …).

This is the first time I have ever written a review on anything… but when I Googled Unleashed’s phone number I thought, I should document what good care my standard poodle gets.
First of all, Teri is the first and only groomer that has been able to de-​matt Zoe without causing her discomfort. Secondly, Zoe always is groomed beautifully (people stop me on the street when we are walking to comment).
Zoe has been a regular for many years now. I wouldn’t take her anywhere else.

I have taken my Havanese to all the groomers in Mill Valley and been disappointed in them for varying reasons. I also tried assorted doggie salons in San Rafael and San Anselmo. Thank goodness, I finally found Teri at Unleashed. She is just the best.
Teri knows and cares about the dogs. She often has grooming suggestions, both for what she can do for my little one and what I should do at home. He always emerges looking and feeling great.
Her shop is quiet and calm. It feels like a more homelike environment than larger places with barking dogs, noisy hair dryers and lots of coming and going. Since it’s just Teri with an assistant, you have to plan ahead and make an appointment. That’s not a problem for me.
I have taken two Havanese to Unleashed. First, I took my old and very sick dog to her. He really needed grooming and I just couldn’t subject him to a more stressful environment. Teri got him in and out as quickly as she could, but kept his vet’s name and number if there was a problem. Now, I take my puppy to her. He can be a little rambunctious with some people, but he is calm and content with Teri. She leaves his hair long and gorgeous but manages to trim strategically so he looks like a sweet dog instead of a rag mop.

My dog was sprayed by a skunk– and when I called in to see if they would groom her, they were reluctant and didn’t think they could get her in right away.
They may be fine for regular groomings that can be scheduled, but for emergency ones better go someplace else.

Teri (the groomer) is personable and really seems to care about the pets. My wookie (cocker spaniel) sometimes shows up w/​sores from obsessively scratching himself and she is very careful to cut around. She is also available on fairly short notice, though I think the hectic nature of her schedule sometimes affects her cuts. At my old groomer (in Virginia) I used to get my wookie styled in various cuts and like to opt for a shave all over w/​a small puff at the top of his head (makes him look ridiculous). But every time i drop him off and tell Teri, I always pick him up and he is shaved all over. *sigh* I’ve just given up b/​c she is nice and busy, and its not a terribly big deal.
the only reason i am not giving 5 stars is b/​c she does not remember to leave the puff at the top of this head, no biggie, but you can’t get an «as good as it gets» recommendation if you aren’t. so to paraphrase some other comments, «dog groomer not stylist.»

I take my little girl here for nail trims. I was taking her somewhere else where they would take her in the back and I’d hear her little Unilocal,and screams breaking my heart, but I figured she was just being a drama queen (I’m not the best mom ever). I brought her to Unleashed and again they took her in the back and I didn’t hear a peep out of her! All I could hear was a guy and gal (sorry don’t know your names) talking to her telling her how sweet she is! At that point I wanted to check myself into doggy mom jail for being so lame about her being hurt at the other place. Anyway, I love them, thanks for being so nice to my nutty girl!

I have a large female German Shepherd with a nightmarishly thick coat. She can also be a pain in the butt to groom, as she doesn’t enjoy being brushed very much (that’s why I don’t do it myself!). Terri handles her perfectly, and she comes out looking beautiful. Can’t beat the price and availability either. Totally recommend this place.

I took my maltese here a couple of weeks ago. She came back with a choppy haircut. Needless to say I will not be coming back.

I recommend Unleashed without qualification. I have been taking our Goldendoodle to Unleashed for over two and a half years, every four weeks since he was a small puppy. Every time has been a good experience. Teri is personable, knowledgable, attentive and caring toward our dog and she is efficient and runs a clean and pleasant shop. Our dog is content there and comes away looking great. Teri has two Labradoodles of her own. She is a wonderful groomer.

Picking my little mutt up at the local groomers today made me remember how awesome Unleashed was (and apparently is). I actually worked for Teri as a bather/​all around girl years ago, and she is one of the best in the business (not to mention a truly wonderful person.)
What makes her different: The woman LOVES dogs. She does, even after more than fifteen years in the business. She knows all the dogs. She used to let the ones that were good boys and girls free in the shop, not sealed in a crate (although it is true that one of our dogs had to be watched so that he didn’t steal a spare bagel or two). She is a perfectionist.
If you live in Marin and you don’t bring your dog in here — frankly, you’re foolish. I would trust Teri above anyone to make my dog feel safe, happy, pleasant-​smelling, and adorable.