Valarie’s Animal Den

Valerie did an amazing grooming job on my Pomeranian, who can be a very difficult little dog to groom. She was really patient with him and took time needed to do an excellent job. His coat looked beautiful and she trimmed him into a lovely shape. Very happy!

We’ve boarded our dog, Lucy, at Valerie’s the last few times we’ve gone out of town. Valerie has always provided great care and meets any special needs that our dog has (one-​on-​one attention during walks, for example). We’ve felt very comfortable with the level of supervision, and Valerie is very attentive to nervous puppy parents.
Lucy has left other boarding facilities never wanting to return, but every time we walk by Valerie’s she tugs to go inside and remembers Valerie immediately.
Thanks for taking good care of her!

The owner Valerie wouldn’t even give me a price because she was so worried about her competitors pricing, Bonnie’s and who ever else I took my dog to in the past. Her tone was very aggressive, like she was doing me the biggest favor. Overall I was not impressed with customer service and there are a 100 more groomers in the area Ms. Valerie.
–First impressions are everything

DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT USING THIS BOARDING SERVICE. My husband and I attempted to use Valarie’s to board our dogs for a quick overnight stay as we both need to be out of town on business. We scheduled the visit a week in advance, gathered all the necessary shot records, etc. Just as we were set to leave to drop off the dogs on the way to the airport– she texts asking to reschedule! I am in disbelief, who thinks this is acceptable? Not even an apology, just a breezy, «hey boarding won’t work for me today, let’s reschedule.» We can’t reschedule a business trip, and she gave us zero notice. Now we’re scrambling. How completely unprofessional. I’m just grateful we didn’t actually leave the dogs with her, I would NEVER trust anyone so unprofessional to care for my dogs.

I just called this place of «business» (go figure) and was told I could not get a price over the phone to groom a shih tzu. When I asked why I was told «we don’t give out prices over the phone because of competition on the Hill» smh smh. Like really??? What type of nonsense is that? Knock it off lady! You act like you’re selling diamonds. People can just as easily walk in and competitive shop your business as well. You should be focused on GAINING customers vs. LOSING potential ones! When I asked her if she wanted people to come in just to get a price, she replied «no I want people to come in to get their pet groomed.» Clearly you DON’T because if you did you would encourage callers to COME IN… thanks for pointing me in the direction of COMPETITION ON THE HILL! ;-)

Valarie, thank you so much for illustrating a total lack of business integrity and flat out lying. I appreciate you acting as if i’m a neophyte consumer that couldn’t have possibly instructed you to «clean up» my dogs faces by cleaning tear drops, removing hair from both my dogs ears, and brushing their teeth. Each of the items you completed during their first visit, which is why i said give them the «usual» when asked. Even when you told me you questioned your assistant and should’ve called me directly, you didn’t. My dogs are a Pekingese and Shih Tzu which both have round faces. So if I wanted them cut with any other style, what style did i ask for?
Other consumers… don’t take my word for it, during your research, please read all of Valarie’s responses to other consumers. You’ll notice the pattern. Lack of ownership and accountability in every single response. Could it be the fault of every consumer that has a negative experience?
I offered one best practice to help you. Make a photo and note diary of each pet that comes through there. So, when you have repeat business, you can refer to the notes and photos with the consumers. That way, if there are any changes, the notes will reflect and photos updated upon completion.
I guess that’s too hard. You have to continue to blame the consumer again to try to save face.
Own it, and fix it moving forward. However, thanks again for illustrating lack of ownership to anything.
Maybe the owners that have had negative experiences should rekindle their comments.

This review is not for actual service. I called Valerie’s Animal Den to inquire about pricing for grooming my cat. Unfortunately, I was told that pricing was not given over the phone and that the only way to learn of actual prices for grooming was to have my cat groomed. Wait, what? This makes no sense to me. I usually don’t purchase goods without knowing what I’m spending and then just hope for the best. I guess I’ll be looking elsewhere.

By far the worse place to bring any pet! I have never been treated they way they treat you here. The owner is rude loud and does not let you talk. She will constantly talk over you. I am very particular when it comes to my miniature schnauzer’s hair cut. I like what I like! So I give very detailed instructions when I go any place new. I am also willing to try a place a few time to get it right. I did that here and I was disappoint each time! The first time the cut was not what I asked for. It was cute but not what I wanted. This last time I brought him I had a 9a.m. Appointment and called a few days earlier to see if I could bring him in at an earlier time because I had a function to be at by 9. She told me yes 8 was the earliest time she could do. I took that time slot. At 3:10 that afternoon I was wondering why I had not heard from them yet. I called to check up on the progress and finis time and I got the excuse «Well we thought you would be busy all day so we have not even really worked on him. Oh and he has an eye issue that he must have come into here with». I was very confused because I never said I would be all day and when I dropped him off he was in perfect health! I said to them he was fine when I dropped him off! What’s wrong? They said the white of his eye was swollen and bloodshot. But he will be ready within the hour. I said I’ll be there then. I got there at 4:30 and waited another 30 minutes for her to finish him. At this point I’m not happy! The groomer was having allergy issues and sniffing and sneezing and then the phone rand and she puts my dog under her arm to bring him with her to answer the phone. Finally she is finished with him and his cut is better than last time but again not what I asked for! I then look at his eye and I am totally shocked at what I see! The white of his eye is bloody and so swollen that it’s coming out of his eye socket! I told her I no he was dropped of and this was not like that! She said it had to be. Disgusted whit what I see I leave. I bring my baby home and he is acting fine. My husband said that it looked like an allergic reaction. I was ok with that and thought maybe they got soap in his eye. The next morning the eye was looking much better. Later that day when I got home it looked even better but when I was looking in his eyebrow I noticed a spot that looked like he was hit really hard! Now I’m pissed! The same day I realized that his collar was left at the groomers. I called to makes sure and yes it was there. I said someone would be there to pick up. When I called the owner again would not let me talk. She was loud and talked over me! Finally a few days later my husband went to go get the collar and the owner tried like hell to explain away the dogs eye issue! Saying it was not the fault of there’s! I will never ever be going back and I will never have anything nice to say about them! So if you want your dog to be ignored yelled at or abused go tho this nasty establishment.

Our 2−½ year old Yorkshire Terrier, Li-​Li, needed to be groomed and a new groomer. I was not too sure what we were going to do. Our previous grooming facility was great but consistency in haircut started declining after our favorite groomer left and the new groomer went on leave. So we were left to use some dude, I’d never met and her last appt., me and my husband were NOT happy! The haircuts were always, not as you wanted and it was getting annoying. So Valerie’s reveiws seemed to be good and I was pleased with her responses to unhappy clients, so we took a chance. My husband dropped Li-​Li off and he was shown how they would cut Li-​Li and made to feel comfortable and that they knew what they were doing. She looked adorable! Over the phone Valerie called my baby, «baby» and I LOVED that. My husband was ESTATIC when he picked Li-​Li up, plus he LOVED how they involved him in the decision of how they would groom her. Li-​Li also was happy when she got home. Plus, the other grooming place, Li-​Li was over the daycare portion of her day there. My husband said she was fine in the crate when he arrived. We now have a new groomer! Thanks Valerie!

Valarie is great! I have two Westies. One is a sweetie and I think is pretty easy to groom. The male is a terror. Valarie and her staff do a great job grooming him and working around his grumpiness. Another plus is that I can usually get an appointment with only a few days notice.

Valarie is a HOOT! Her work is excellent. She treats and cares for your pet as if they are a part of her own family. Valarie is the animal whisperer. No really! A stray cat followed her home and to the shop. I think the cat is the resident greeter for the shop now! So it’s no surprise to enter the Animal Den and see the cat chilling in the window along with your own pup as if the two have had a deep conversation with Valarie.
A first timer? Valarie will consult with you on which blade to use in trimming your pet down. She also boards your pet for a reasonable price, should your pet need a «hotel» to stay while you spend a few days out of town.
I have a yorkie and each time he comes home looking and smelling fresh with a cute (male) bow or a lil doggie bandanna.
Your pet is in good hands with Valarie!

My experience here was good. Valarie is a little loud but she’s nice and did a great cut on my dog. She left his tail untrimmed so next time I’ll just be sure to tell her to trim it but other than that, no complaints. The entrance is nice and clean and it didn’t smell terribly of wet dog. I’ll be back.

I needed my 5month old shih tzu groomed ASAP! I called a couple places in my area this morning, I needed someone that would see her and quickly so that we could get headed out of town!
Mrs.Valerie was extremely nice over the phone and told me that she could take her today’ Yay! She told me to be there at 9:15? I got there at 9:00 and she was there:)!
This was my baby first grooming (only had her for 2weeks) and I was nerves about leaving her, not that anything was wrong, she’s my baby so you know, anyways… The place was neat, clean and looked nice! they had accessories, shampoos, snacks (all natural) and other items you could purchase! Mrs. Valerie greeted me and took Kenzie she was very gentle and treated my baby as if I would. The lady that did her cut was extremely nice and did a awesome job cutting her hair! It was other dogs there running around having a good time also. They was very informative and really nice! I don’t understand the other reviews, maybe the place upgraded, but my whole experience was Great!

Valerie’s Animal Den is THE BEST! I have a 4 lb. pomeranian who loves Valerie and her staff. This place is the only one that does an amazing and thorough job at grooming each pet as their breed requires. Valerie is very knowledgeable, a genuine animal lover, a fun, outgoing and dedicated person. Both My Dog and I love her and are very thankful for her services!

This was our first time taking Lola (yorkie) to the Animal Den and the experience was ok. Valerie was accommodating with fitting Lola in for an appointment. She gave us a time frame and it was met. Valerie kept us updated on Lola’s progress i.e. the groomer clipped Lola’s ear and Valerie called immediately to let us know. She gave a reasonable discount and was very apologetic for the incident. I love the cut (body) that Lola was given, however her face could have been cut better. It is understandable that the groomer may have been a little apprehensive because of the ear incident. Overall we are pleased and Lola seemed happy.

WOW, Surprised that I see all these bad reviews. Ive been taking my Boston Terrier here for two years and haven’t had any issues boarding or having him groomed. Valarie even calls whenever their is an issue.

I took my 5 pound poodle here back in the summer of 2010. First we were yelled at over the phone when we had to change the appointment. I should have known better right there, but I let it slide. So when I dropped him off, one of the groomers took my baby from my arms and held him in one arm like he was a side of beef. I let that slide too, I thought well they are just laid back. I was also told not to call or drop by, they would call me. So when I went to pick him up, he was so scared and shaking and could barely walk to me. He was almost paralyzed. I have no idea what happened, but I didn’t get a good feeling. And when we got home, we noticed some nicks on his face. i’m not saying it was horrible service, the cut was nice, but I care too much about my dog to have him scared like that. He is just too small for me to take a chance again.

Ok, so we took our Shih Tzu Mimi to Valerie’s today because her normal groomer was booked solid and our dog was desperately in need of grooming services. I’d seen Valerie’s shop before, as we live in the area, so I thought I’d give it a go. I should have known when we came in that it was going to be a bad experience, as we’d made an appointment earlier in the week and it wasn’t even noted that we had one when we got there. Upon leaving, we were told that she would call US when done and that we shouldn’t call the shop or «swing by». When she finally called to tell us our baby was ready, she called and said «Hey, you have that black and white dog right? Yeah, well she is ready». Umm, our dog’s name is Mimi, not «that black and white dog». When we picked up our dog, she was erratic and frantic, totally opposite of her usual playful and sweet self. When we got home we noticed blood on our carpet. After checking her, we noticed her front left leg bleeding pretty heavily and her nails bleeding as well on her front left paw. She wouldn’t even let us touch it because it hurt her so much. We took pictures… and I wish like hell we could post pics in reviews, cuz its really sad. Bottom line is, the customer service was terrible, odd even, and my sweet dog was left with nails that were cut down to the meat (causing bleeding) and pretty significant knicks and razor cuts on her leg that were also bleeding. We are really disappointed and will be contacting Valerie with the pictures of our hurt dog. PLEASE, DO NOT TAKE YOUR DOG HERE!!!

In response to Valarie’s comment below: I have boarded my dog several times and he has never had a reaction to a boarding facility like that before. I know my dog well enough to know when he’s excited or scared/​stressed. Yes, when he’s excited he usually relieves himself on the floor, but he has never been so «excited» that he had to poop on the sidewalk immediately after leaving your facility. Also, dogs emit a distinct odor when they’re stressed. I opted out of the bath option you offered because my dog never smells when I pick him up after boarding. He reeked– he’s never smelled that bad before. I had to get him professionally bathed because it was that bad. You say that he had a good time, but his actions showed otherwise.

Valarie was GREAT!
I had a situation where I had to remove my dog for a few days and had to board her. Not only was Valarie close to work but her prices were affordable. My dog has trust issues and was uncomfortable around other dogs (not so much anymore) so I was a bit worried about leaving her at a boarding place overnight. Valarie assured me she would take care of the dog and she did! She even took the dog home with her the last night!
When I came to pick her up, all of her staff played with the dog and to my surprise her nails were trimmed and they did not charge me extra! The staff was great and the dog had the opportunity to socialize with other dogs and is now doing better around other animals.
I would definitely recommend Valarie’s services to those who live on Capitol Hill (she is a few blocks away from Eastern Market).