A Cut Above

05/02/2008 Posted by ronross

I have been taking my cocker in to Cut Above for several years after unsatisfactory experiences with other groomers. Dylan came to us with many problems typical of some cockers such as fear aggression, and I was very reluctant to have him groomed when we first got him because I was afraid he'd bite the groomer. A couple of places we went had young pleasant groomers but he came out half done because they made each other nervous and they didn't finish him. One groomer started out great but eventually they thought they needed one person to hold him for dear life while the other clipped him. I witnessed this and it was unbelievably stressful. They actually called to tell me not to bring him back before our last appointment. Many of the people I saw walking well groomed dogs in the neighborhood told me they had been going to Cut Above for years, including a couple of cockers. The first time I took Dylan there it was like a cocker convention. The groomers at Cut Above have never had a problem with Dylan. It is like watching The Dog Whisperer through their picture window. Instead of watching a scared groomer and a scared dog as I had before, I saw a more compliant happy Dylan than I ever thought possible. If I had known how much grooming a cocker needs before I got one I would have thought twice. And having to go through several bad (and expensive) experiences before I discovered Cut Above was not fun. The owner is an excellent business woman, trainer of grooming and dog person. On any given day there may be 20 dogs in various stages of grooming and I have almost never seen one on a table that seemed stressed. In fact, we're going back tomorrow.

Pros: Expert dog handlers as well as groomers

Cons: Slightly pricey but you get what you pay for

04/12/2008 Posted by Marymulligan

THis place is a factory that mistreats dogs, abuses them with frantic use hand dryers. and groomers that are inexperienced and may not even be trained to groom. My little one finally went to them for a full grooming. I was shoved off to someone I wasn't allowed to talk to because he only spoke Spanish. Some weird looking guy took my dog and I gather gave her a bath with baby shampoo, asked if he could put vaseline in her eyes (by the way she came there with a slight red eye, which they were informed about). I said no to the vaseline. I was watching what I could through a glass and saw this wierd guy hold up a bottle of something. I shook my head no. Now I was getting anxious. My baby finally was placed on a table, tied by the neck, and dried with a hair dryer frantically, while she was trying to run away looking so frantic, with the leash arount her neck. THe guy held the dryer on her face and eyes for 20 minutes and looked like he was chasing her with the dryer. I asked to take my dog and hold her. The unkind woman behind the desk said no she's going right to the groomer.; I saw my dog try to climb on this guy and put her head on his shoulders;. My tears were streaming down my face and still are almost a week later. She came out of the grooming with bright red eyes, totally stressed out, and looking like she had a home chop job. I have had a migrane for almost one week, go to sleep watching the her being torchered by the hand dryer and cringe every night. Thank God my little one survived. I called the owner, Ying, Wing or something and she argued with me. Said that there is a video above each drying table. I was supposed to go back to get my dog's face hair evened out, but thought, I could not subject her or myself again to this nightmare, dog abusing factory. Advise>>>DON"T GO HERE!!!!!.

Pros: Absolutely no pros to this nightmare place

Cons: They torture the little dogs and possibly the big ones. Poor grooming. No compassion. It's a factory

04/03/2008 Posted by Onthewestside

I had the most horrible experience with my Wheatan Terrier. The groomer was nasty, the job was awful. I'm not one to write reviews, but if you love your pet, stay away!!

05/14/2007 Posted by sag1125

I had been disappointed by the way other groomers treated my blind Maltese. But when I called and spoke with Ming and explained my dog's handicap, she was warm and understanding and immediately said I could wait while my dog was groomed. At first I was a little apprehensive since the place reminded me of a factory -- two large rooms closed off by glass -- with groomers in one room and dryers/fluffers in another room. But after staying and watching my dog be treated so well, I was hooked. I talked with the many other friendly pet owners as some of them waited too. They had been clients for years and only had wonderful things to say about Ming and her employees. Most of them had been with here for years. I HIGHLY recommend A Cut Above!

Pros: Caring, Understanding, Knowledgable

05/11/2007 Posted by dariusmommie

I took my cocker spaniel to A Cute Above in the Fall 2002 after a year to trying various groomer's throughout NY and having my baby come home with razor tracks, ear infections and traumatization. When I walked into A Cut Above, what won me over initially was the glass window that allows you to watch the pets receiving cuts. The interaction between the pets and the groomers was astonishing. When I picked my cocker up he was clean, smelled wonderful but most importanly he was calm. It was our first time there and Ming was very friendly addressing us both by our names which was an indication that she understood and appreciated the relationship we have with our pets. 5 years later, we are still clients who travel from one of the outer boroughs. She takes care of him noticing when he is gaining a few pounds (and suggesting a little more excercise and a little less food) or when he needs a deep conditioner at the end of a particularly rough winter. She even caters to his separation angxiety. I am greatful to have found this wonderful place and would be hard press to find the same quailty of care presently received at A Cut Above anywhere else.

Pros: bright, clean, environment and friendly knowledgable staff.

Cons: I live in an outer borough so the travel is a little bit of a challenge.

04/04/2007 Posted by eileenlg

My Lhasa Apso, Sophie, received a beautiful and expert grooming at A Cut Above yesterday. Ming and all the talented staff are welcoming and kind people who love dogs and so I feel confident when I drop Sophie off. I highly recommend A Cut Above to dog owners who want an excellent grooming experience for their dogs and themselves as well.

Pros: Talented, expert, knowledgeable dog groomers.

Cons: None.

05/28/2006 Posted by mvs2107

We needed a groomer for our cat and called 2 cats for recommendations; they all recommended A Cut Above. The staff was so friendly and gentle with her, and they kept her in the lobby away from the dogs so she wouldn't be scared. We will definitely be returning.