Canine Design

My tiny teacup Chihuahua needed his nails cut and although my husband and I bought all the equipment and watched YouTube videos, we couldn’t bear the crying. We needed help and knew of this business from walking by. We also heard some not so nice things about the groomer that seemed pretty awful. What struck me about the complaints on social media was that not one of the accusers ever spoke to the groomer about what they witnessed. The groomer/​owner attempted to defend herself but it didn’t really appease folks. I could tell the whole thing was very hurtful so I decided to patronize this place. My experience was awesome!!! The owner had me hold my baby boy and told me to whisper loving things to him so he could have a pleasant association. It worked! She praised him with each paw and was so gentle and loving! She gave me great ideas to get him more used to having his nails cut by paying with his paws and legs while he is relaxing with me. This will get him accustomed to having his nails done and he won’t be so anxious. I was so impressed by her sweet interactions with my little guy! I will be back every six weeks!

Denise has been exclusively grooming my Shihtzus Buster & Molly for 8 years now. She does an outstanding job and I always feel safe bringing my babies and leaving them in her care. I know when I pick them up they will look and smell wonderful. Denise is very knowledgeable about dogs and has given me tips and advice about their behavior and health and it makes me feel good knowing she will point something out that I might not notice. I know many other owners from the dog parks that also love Denise and take their dogs here. She has always had very reasonable prices and goes the extra mile in accomodating my requests. She truly loves animals and people. Once I was in a desperate situation trying to find a way to keep my dogs on the deck and out of the foxtails, I mentioned it to her during grooming and she came up with a solution instantly and even loaned me her temporary fencing for a few weeks.

We’ve taken our Boston Terriers to Denise for a few years. We’ve always been very happy with her work, prices, availability!!!

I went to pick my dogs up from Canine Designs and there were 2 dogs in a kennel on the floor barking. The owner kicked the kennel and yelled at the dogs while both my dogs were standing next to her. I was appalled! One of my dogs is very much afraid every time we drop him off but we just chopped it up to him not liking being groomed. If she would do this in front of me I cant imagine what she would do when no one is looking. The scary part was when she saw the look on my face she said «Its ok they are my dogs». I know my Mom has had a few bad experiences here also. I will be taking my dogs elsewhere from now on!

I have taken my sensative chewowa jack cross to Denises shop and he has always come away happy and loving. She does excellent work at a good fair price. I would know if my little guy was not treated right and it has never happened. I recommend her to any who are seeking a caring person to work on their pet.

Denise has been grooming our Yorkie Sophie for many years. She is kind and very good with our dog. Always pleased with her work!

Canine Design formerly located at 725 Ward, Martinez, CA.
Presently located at 821 Escobar, Martinez, CA
I passed this grooming business last weekend and looked into the window. A little white dog was thrashing its head while tethered at the table, and the lady groomer aggressively grabbed it by its ears and head and hunched over it. I stood and stared in disbelief to see what she’d do next. While still holding the dog, she turned her head and saw that I was watching her. She stopped.
I inquired locally who this person was to confirm my gut feeling because I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I was told by a former employee that she saw her physically abuse a dog and left the job because of it. Apparently many people in the business also know, but she’s well known and nobody takes it further. I don’t imagine she has to use physical force and aggression on easygoing dogs, but if you saw what I saw, you would never in a million years take even your nice dog to her.
I am writing this to warn people before they entrust their family pet to Denise. She may have good reviews about working on difficult dogs, but I would question her means of going about it. I am afraid she will actually do real harm to someone’s beloved pet. I don’t want to imagine how many she’s traumatized with fear. For me one negative review when it comes to my family and pets is all I need to keep looking. If you choose to take your pet here, I implore you to STAY WITH YOUR DOG AND WATCH HER.
(Read through all reviews. Another person witnessed Denise the groomer hitting a dog on her table.)

We called to get an estimate for how much it would take to get our two dogs trimmed and she gave us a ballpark amount and allowed us to drop in without an appointment!
Located in a small quaint shop with large pens and kennels for variety of breeds. She was very approachable and patient with our dogs.
We came back to pick up our dogs and they looked amazing! All the things we wanted were done, and then some. She did an amazing job at a reasonable price that we expected and I highly recommend her business. We will gladly come back again. Thank you!

I first reviewed Canine Design in October 2014. I take my little dog, Olive, in every three weeks, alternating just a bath and tune-​up with full grooming. It goes without saying that I am completely satisfied (thrilled is more accurate) with the services. Olive has a coat which matts easily and Denise makes her look fabulous. However, I just cannot say enough good things about Denise. Olive charges in to the shop – she is not at all afraid of Denise. And Denise is wonderfully gentle and loving with her. It was important to find a groomer who would not frighten my dog, but Denise exceeds my expectations every time I go in. I highly recommend her as a loving professional!

I was quoted a price on the phone that was hiked significantly after the grooming. Then, I wasn’t notified that the establishment accepts cash only — though I was given the option of paying via personal check.
When I arrived at the requested time they hadn’t completed the grooming, and haphazardly rushed through the remaining process — including the head/​face and nails. Humiliatingly, I was greeted by a pile of my dog’s own hair on the front desk. The groomer (owner) spent a great deal of energy scolding me about the state of my dog’s coat, complaining about how difficult the breed is to groom, and assuring me that the cut could have been much better had I known how to brush my dog.
The cut itself was choppy, shaved to the skin in places while other areas remained long and shaggy, and they had completely dismissed any of our suggestions /​recommendations about how we’d like our dog to look.
Ultimately, I’m grateful our dog wasn’t injured or traumatized, though the grooming and customer service was the worst I’ve experienced. After what can only be described as the worst result possible, the owner of Canine Design exaggerated our negligence and the grooming difficulty of our breed to free herself from blame. I guarantee you can find a better (and less expensive) groomer nearly anywhere else around the Bay Area — and you should.

Today my little boys are visiting Denise for the second time. My guys are 7 and 8 years old, and have always been groomed. My older guy, however, is a freak when it comes to getting his nails trimmed. I would have to medicate him and let the vet trim his nails. It was horrible. He would get so stressed out. When I picked my dogs up from Denise after our first visit my guy had his nails nice and trimmed. I know my dog… he barks like crazy and is a pain in the butt but Denise found a way to work with him. When I got there and saw what she was able to accomplished… trimming his nails it make cry, and I hugged her. Finally I found someone who was patient and able to work with my difficult little man… with no drugs. Denise has a forever customer and I highly recommend her.

Called the same day to see if there was any way they could squeeze us in– & they were able to! Super nice all around, my dog looked and smelled great afterwards! I love small places like this! Great service & I love how they actually care about my pet and are so loving towards them! Will definitely be taking my dog back again in the future!

Here is a little background before I get around to the review.
A friend had lots of difficulties with our pup who was unmanageable on her grooming table. Shortly after a few of those experiences, I discovered that Schooner no longer allowed us to brush him which would become a problem because he has a double coat of soft, baby fine hair that is fairly long and he earned the new middle name of Matt, for a reason!
When he became too matted to deal with I reluctantly took him to a pet store for a groom and within 10 minutes they called back saying they couldn’t groom him due to him being too stressed out, wiggly, and that he was nipping them.
Desperate, I resorted to getting a prescribed sedative from our vet in hopes of finding a willing groomer.
I began calling and interviewing other groomers from a painstakingly long list and most weren’t available for several weeks out or weren’t willing to try a difficult dog, and the mats were out of control so I didn’t want to wait. Come to find out, most groomers won’t work on a sedated dog anyway.
Worried that I wouldn’t be able to find a groomer, I sedated him and took it upon MYSELF to remove two large cotton ball type mats from behind both ears. He must have been so hot back there as no air could possibly flow through those thick wads. I also thinned his coat with a shedding tool, and I managed to untangle his tail over the course of a 6 hour period while our dog was pretty much horizontal and zonked out.
I knew this wasn’t the long term solution and that I would need to find a willing groomer. I was at wits end wondering if anyone would be able to handle our frightened and stressed out little matted man. I worried that if another groomer turned him away that perhaps we’d be stuck with a very uncomfortable hairball of a Rastafarian dog for the rest of our lives.
I am relieved to say, that was until I found Canine Design.
Denise, the owner heard my nightmarish stories, was sure it wouldn’t be a problem and that I shouldn’t sedate him, but to ease my own anxiety, she asked to meet the dog a day in advance of the grooming.
We met the morning before, and with confidence she assured me again that it would be no problem, and she explained the three part process Schooner would need.
First, she would hand scissor him to get the length down a bit. She would then give him a rest from the table in between sessions. Next, her fearless assistant Christine, would shampoo him and condition the mat in the undercoat. Then, she would shave down the coat to remove his head to toe mats. She explained that this would allow us to get him back on daily brushings. Last, and most Importantly, she asked to see him on 6 week intervals to prevent future mattings. This would allow us to grow out his coat again to show off some of his magnificent fluff.
This dynamic duo have decades of experience. Denise, the owner has been in the business for 32 years and Christine, her long time employee, has 20 years experience, specializing in rehabilitating difficult dogs. That in and of itself is heroic! They deserve your business.
Both women have a calming demeanor, are self assured and more than competent. It is a small shop, but what I love about it is that you know that either the owner herself or her trusted assistant will be the only ones working on your precious pooch. They made a total believer out of me. They have won my heart and my patronage for sure! Thanks ladies. You both rock!

Canine Designs was recommended to me several times from folks I met at the dog park, and I can understand why. First, Denise owns her own business and she does the cutting. Second, the dogs there all seemed comfortable and my dog does not mind going there at all, in fact, she seems to enjoy it. Next, the finished product is always fantastic — my cocker spaniel looks amazing every time she grooms her. FIVE STARS across the board and by far the best groomer around.

Denise does a great job grooming my dog Lucy. She listens to what I want and does an excellent job. I can’t recommend her enough!

This place was amazing! Denise was super nice and even fit me in for a grooming session when I called last minute. My dog Rocco came out looking fabulous. This is now my new go to groomer, I highly recommend her!!!

Just a quick note to say that she refused our business when we mentioned our Jack Russell has some behavioral issues. I don’t think this is necessarily wrong — anyone can choose to take or refuse clients based on whatever requirements they’d like, but I think a really talented groomer can manage all kinds of dogs. I wanted to make sure to post here so that people with special needs dogs go elsewhere rather than waste time trying to make an appointment.

We tried four groomers in the area before going to Denise three years ago and we’ve been going back every seven weeks since. Denise is great with Maggie and the best groomer we’ve ever used. This is the only place Maggie doesn’t panic to go. Best Groomer in the Area.

I have been coming here for over a year and Denise does a great job on my dog. She remembers her every time I call and always calls me back rapidly after I leave a message. I used to go to another groomers in Pleasanton and drop my dog off at 7 am and she wouldn’t be done till 4 in the afternoon. I never have that problem with Denise. I get in with no hassle, my dog is done in a short amount of time, and my doggie always looks picture perfect.

I was motivated to try Canine Design after reading number of reviews for groomers in my area. Since my Doggie is a recent addition to our family and hasn’t had previous experience with groomers (that I’m aware of), I really wanted to make sure that his first haircut would be a positive experience. I took my little one to Denise’s shop at 9:00am on a Friday. She petted Doggie & made him feel comfortable as we talked about what I’d like done (bath & a haircut). I was concerned about what type of products she uses since my dog has sensitive skin, and Denise assured me that her products are very mild. We agreed that I’d be back to pick up Doggie at 12:30.
When I came to pick up my little guy, I couldn’t believe my eyes — he looked SO good! Of course Doggie has always been cute, but in a rather scruffy sort of way. Denise gave him exactly the type of cut that I described to her — he’s now a clean-​cut little gentleman! It was $ 40 for the bath & haircut, which seems pretty reasonable to me.
The next day at my housewarming party, several friends complimented Doggie’s new look. As one of them put it, «He doesn’t look like a homeless dog anymore!» Indeed, Doggie looks anything but homeless with his new ‘do. As for the products, I think that Denise definitely uses some quality stuff — right away, I noticed a difference in how soft & silky Doggie’s fur felt. A week later, it still feels & looks great! We’ll certainly be return customers.