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The United States has gone to the dogs! A 2007 survey by the Humane Society of the United States proves that point by revealing dog ownership statistics at approximately 74.8 million dogs. The same survey shows that 39% of American households own a dog. Along with this growing population of dog owners is a growing demand for related services, including the introduction of self-serve dog washes in the 1990’s.
Dirty Dog in Austin
“We had never been to a self-serve dog wash before,” says Blair Smith, who along with business partner and long-time best friend Alesha Matthews grew up in Dallas. Smith and Matthews were best friends growing up in Dallas. They both moved to Austin and found themselves without jobs. Smith remembers the day she decided to shave Ollie, her Chow mix, for the summer. “I bought a clipper kit, watched the video and gave it a shot. After about four hours and only being halfway through, I said to Alesha, ‘This can’t be what groomers go through. They must have much better clippers. I wish I knew a groomer who would let me use their equipment for an hour. I’d pay them.’ ”
Serendipity was involved when Smith began calling around town seeking an affordable dog groomer. Unsatisfied with the prices she was quoted, Smith decided to start a self-serve dog wash as an alternative to more expensive grooming services. On January 4th, 2004, Dirty Dog was officially in business at 34th Street and Lamar. In the early days, there were no employees other than Smith and Matthews. Six years later, Dirty Dog has undergone quite an expansion, with 20 employees and five locations in the Austin area, as well as a Dirty Dog in San Antonio.
Dirty Dog Self-Serve Dog Wash offers solutions for frustrated pet owners who skip regular dog baths due to inclement weather, Fido’s deep-rooted fear of the groomer, lack of sufficient indoor space or a myriad of other reasons. Never fear, Dirty Dog is here, offering full-service dog washes, do-it-yourself dog washes (complete with tearless shampoos, conditioners, nail clippers, ear washes, blow dryers, large tubs with stairs provided and more), canine massage (by appointment), canine CPR and first aid classes (on a monthly basis) and training (by appointment).
Dirty Dog offers canine massage and acupressure at its Guadalupe location by canine massage practitioner Christina Hardinger. “Massage is a very powerful way to keep your dog healthy,” explains Hardinger. “It boosts the immune system by increasing circulation of white blood cells. It reduces tension and reduces pain.” Hardinger adds that before or after grooming, “Body work reduces the stress that some dogs connect to the grooming experience. It is also beneficial for coat texture as massage improves the circulation and distributes the natural oils in the coat.”
Stories from Austin Dog Owners
Hank and Gracie are two West Highland terrier puppies that spend their weekday at The Knitting Nest, a knitting shop on Slaughter Lane in south Austin with their owner Stacy Klaus. Klaus researched dog breeds before choosing West Highland Terrier puppies, so it only made sense that she invested time in finding the right groomer for Hank and Gracie. “Gracie has been a special case because the breeder was showing her in the puppy class and then discovered she had a disease called Legg-Calve-Perthe disease and had to have surgery on her hip,” remembers Klaus. Not helped by a fear of clippers, Gracie had her back hindquarters shaved after surgery. Klaus took her dogs to Dirty Dog for grooming services and “they did a wonderful job dealing with her first haircut. Gracie loves to take baths, and I’m sure this had to do with her positive experience at Dirty Dog because Hank absolutely hates baths and unfortunately he was the one who had to go to four other places that we had bad experiences at – you could say Hank suffered through the research!”
“Like many other pet owners,” Olga Campos Benz, longtime Austinite and news anchor for KVUE says, “I usually wash my own dogs the old-fashioned way – in the backyard!” Campos Benz found bathing her dogs outdoors a challenge because of the weather (too hot or too cold) and the stress on her back. Now that Campos Benz has discovered the Mesa Drive location, Lucky and Blackjack are on their way to becoming regular canine customers. “The best part was using a handheld hose with warm water for my dogs and being able to trim and brush long wet hair and not have to clean up a messy bathroom at home!! Thank you Dirty Dog.”
Warren and Melanie Thompson have been taking their dogs to Dirty Dog from the day it opened its first store on North Lamar. The Thompsons brought their German shepherd, Max, and now they bring the second shepherd, Judge, to the self-serve dog wash. Says Warren Thompson, “Judge is so excited to be there, he doesn’t use the stairs, and he just jumps in the tub. Dirty Dog saves your knees and your back; they have everything you need, including warm water and warm air in the blow dryer. I highly recommend Dirty Dog.”
Sounds like Austinites have Dirty Dog to thank for more and more satisfied (and clean) canines every day.
Locations
Visit Dirty-Dog.com for
individual hours of operation
Austin
701 West 5th St.
512.476.3647
3016 Guadalupe st.
512.453.3647
1901 William Cannon dr.
512.383.0444
2706 South First St.
512.443.0013
8108 Mesa Dr.
512.342.8399
San Antonio
2520 North Main ave.
San Antonio, Texas
210.451.0309
Prices + Pertinent Info
Self-serve dog washes
Dogs under 30 lbs: $13 | 31–70lbs: $15
70 lbs + over (stairs lead to tubs): $17
Full service grooming
Pricing depending on breed, size and condition of coat. Online appointments also available.
“Add-on” services for self-serve customers include nail clipping or filing: $10 | Gland expression: $11
Teeth brushing: $8
Canine massage
(at Guadalupe location only)
massage@dirty-dog.com
CPR/Pet First Aid classes
Available by appointment
at various Dirty Dog locations.
Contact Therese Kopiwoda
austinpetfirstaid.com
Skillful Paws Massage
skillfulpaws.net | 512.822.1664
Nicole MLakar Photography
nicolemlakarphotography.com