Dog lovers horrified as pet returns from groomers ‘looking like Mr Peabody’

Owning a dog can be costly, particularly when you consider the regular expense of grooming every six weeks. However, one dog owner has been advised to seek a refund after sharing before and after footage of her pet following his appointment at PetSmart in the US.

She had anticipated that he would look even more adorable after his first grooming session than he did when she left him there. Regrettably, the pup emerged looking like “Mr Peabody”, from the American animated film Mr Peabody and Sherman, about the world’s most accomplished dog.

She posted on Reddit: “His first grooming appointment. PetSmart did him dirty.”

She vowed never to schedule another appointment at PetSmart, showing how the groomers had shaved off nearly all of his fur, leaving only a tuft of hair on his ears.

One user commented on his grooming, saying: “High top fade is crazy.”

Another user added: “From Prada to Nada.”

Yet another user remarked: “It’s giving Sherman and Mr Peabody.”

However, some pet owners reported positive experiences at PetSmart. One person wrote: “My pup has had the best grooming experience at PetSmart so far.”

Another said: “Former PetSmart groomer. It’s not all groomers in all PetSmarts. Each person is individual and yeah some are rubbish. Check reviews for which groomers are mentioned positively at your location.”

Another dog enthusiast commented: “He looks adorable both ways!”.

According to their website, PetSmart’s grooming service begins with a hands-on pet assessment lasting five to 10 minutes before proceeding to brushing and clipping for 10 to 30 minutes.

After this, your pet undergoes 10 to 30 minutes in the bath followed by their bespoke drying process for approximately 30 minutes.

Finally, their tailored haircut and finishing touches require a minimum of 30 minutes.

A statement reads: “Each certified graduate of our Grooming Academy goes through over 800 hours of training, including hands-on experience with a wide variety of breeds.

“During training, our stylists are educated on breed-specific needs and trims. (Stylists who have been trained outside of our Grooming Academy undergo a thorough evaluation of their technical skills to ensure they are 100% up to PetSmart grooming standards.)

“All of our staff are fully trained and equipped to make your pet look and feel their very best while adapting to your personal preference.

“Our salon associates are trained to provide positive reinforcement throughout the grooming process and we always focus on their comfort and well-being.

“Our safety-certified stylists can work slowly for pets who are not as keen to being groomed and may stop grooming if the safety of the pet or associate becomes a risk.

“Always let your salon associate know when booking an appointment if your pet has special requirements so that we can customise to create the most positive experience.”

PetSmart has been approached for a comment.