Happy Tails Chicago, Illinois

Our Kona girl had happy visit

My dog is terrified of getting his nails cut. I adopted him a few weeks before I took him here and was unable to cut them myself, and couldn't get an appointment at a vet for months out since we were a "new client". He really needed them cut and I was able to get a same-day appointment here (which was great!), and the price for the nail trim was very do-able. The issue that I had was with the men who cut his nails. While on the grooming table, my dog kept backing up and pulling his paws away, which was understandable, but the men did nothing but yell at him and man-handle him. My dog was clearly terrified. He kept falling off the table and nearly hung himself in the collar that hangs above the table multiple times, but these men did nothing to help calm him down. Instead he got things like "Calm down!!" yelled in his face various times. It was so hard for me to watch. I feel like they could have found a better way to hold onto him (or maybe tried to comfort him?) or maybe taken off of the table, but no. Consider taking your dog elsewhere if they are afraid of getting their nails cut.

My cat Rambo was well taken care of and timely. Owner was fun (got jokes!) and knew how to handle pets respectfully. Edit 07.04.2021 : We switched to Petsmart as Rambo started having diarrhea after each bath. 2 baths with Petsmart and the issue did not continue. Edit 09.10.2021 : 3 baths with Petsmart now and no issues. Not sure what Happy Tails were using to cause my boy diarrhea after every bath.

Love this place! They take such good care of the pups and they do a great job.

Taking your dog here is a safety issue to your pet. Happy Tails has now hurt my dog TWICE in the last year and I will never be back. After the first time, I convinced myself that it was such a fluke accident that it could never happen again. Foolishly, I took my dog back and I am full of regret. My dog is 10 years old and has been groomed countless times without incident until we came to this place. I absolutely cannot take him back because I now know that it would unequivocally threaten his safety. For context, the first time that Jack was hurt, the groomer sliced off a piece of his nose during the service. (Picture 1) When I got there, the guy was shaken and said that it had been bleeding like crazy but that they would pay for my vet bills. Unfortunately, there was nothing the vet could do. Happy Tails offered me a year of free grooming and after several months I returned because I was convinced that it was such a fluke. No services were for free when I returned, even though they keep records on every dog. I didn’t push for it because I somehow still wanted to support a local business. Now this time, I get home from picking him up and it is shaved so close under his ear that it’s bleeding and oozy. (Picture 2) No one told me this happened when I was there, they acted as though everything was fine (which is 100% not okay). I hate that I put my dog in jeopardy and take accountability for not switching services earlier. The business told me that I could have my money back from this and previous services, but that is not what I care about. I sincerely hope that no more dogs are hurt by going to Happy Tails.

I dont recommend leaving your beloved pup here. I came in for a grooming apt and was denied after my dog started to bark. I reasoned to the groomer that it was highly illogical to have a grooming business where dogs could not bark or where said groomers had no tolerance nor capacity for barking. He then alleged he had never had a dog that barked before and that all the other dogs he ever serviced were "quiet". When I reasoned that he should tell people in advance that he didnt service dogs that barked he acted as if my dog was the first dog in canine history to bark at a grooming apt. What a joke. The staff here are very rude and have poor customer service. If thats how they act with customers I doubt they would be any nicer to your fur baby.

I took my dog here for a nail trim and the groomers were yelling at my dog while I was in the waiting room-it was very upsetting and I could hear my dog crying. My dog has been to several other places to get her nails cut-never had one problem. I was only trying this place due to proximity but I would never return to this place or recommend it to anyone. I have never posted publicly anywhere before but I have never been so upset from an experience before. My dog is very well behaved and the treatment she received was awful.

We brought our goldendoodle to Happy Tails for his first full groom this past weekend. We were shocked when we got a call an hour after we dropped him off that he was trying to "viciously" bite the groomer. We went to pick him up and the groomer said our dog needed more training. We brush our dog every day, touch his paws/ears/everywhere on a regular basis, have given him baths, have had his nails cut before, and have used both a clipper and scissors on him ourselves several times. The groomer told us we should take our dog to training classes, to which we replied he already graduated from a basic level course. The groomer then asked if we train using treats to which we said yes. He told us that was the problem, we train with treats... our jaws were on the floor. What does this guy do to train his dogs if he doesn't use treats and positive reinforcement?? We held off on writing this review until we took our dog to another groomer, in case it really was an issue with our dog needing more training and conditioning. Well, he got groomed today at another local establishment. When we picked him up, the new groomer raved about how sweet our dog is and how good he was throughout his grooming. We told her what happened with the groomer at Happy Tails and she was shocked based on her experience with our dog. I don't know what this guy did to our dog to make him try to bite, but I would never recommend anyone bring their dog to Happy Tails.

I was very thankful to find a locally owned pet grooming service. They were great and I would highly recommend. Archie and I will be back!

They are very friendly and treat our mini dachshund like a king. He comes home very relaxed and looking and smelling delicious!

Been bringing our Yorkie here for over a couple years now they always do a wonderful job!

we just moved here from New York City and of course we already had establish a relationship with our previous groomer back in New York, I was researching pet groomers that I know that I can trust my Benji with and also get the look that I want for him and here at happy tails I definitely got that they’re super convenient to our home In Lincoln Park and I love the little handkerchief that he received when I picked him up. They were very friendly and benji was happy, this will definitely be my go to for him now

We’ve been taking our little guy here for a few years. They always do a good job, but you can’t schedule online, you need to call.

Great with my cats & able to take me in in a crisis!

They butchered our dog's hair. Her face and ears are completely uneven. I wish that I would have just cut her hair at our home. If you do not care about how your dog looks, then this place is fine. If you do, do not bring them here.

Excellent service, often same day, and friendly staff. They genuinely care about your furry friend and have their best interests in mind at all times.

What a great spot! Was able to get my new Persian groomed and the guys were able to even help clean her eyes! Highly recommend and a great establishment in lakeview!

Love the staff n service best groomer on that side of town hands down period

Really care about the animal's well being.

The groomers at Happy Tails are amazing. I particularly like Ray. They treat the dogs as if they were their own. Happy Tails is the first groomers, where I can drop off my dog, without any concern for his well being. They really interact with the dogs, and when time allows, will play with the dogs. I highly recommend Happy Tails.

They always do a great job here with my yorkie!

my little boy came back home with patches all over his coat. His coat was extremely uneven and looked patchy. The price is cheap but so is the quality of there work. Dog s***

Have been using Ray and his services for 20+ years. (2dogs). Will continue to use him as I have always been more than satisfied. This is reflected by how calm and relaxed my dogs are when I go to pick them up. Prices are in line with other groomers. Thanks Ray!!

Ray is the best. Highly recommended

Friendly neighborhood dog groomer with fair prices (cash only)

My wife found this gem years ago and we haven’t gone anywhere else since. Thank you so much for always doing such a great job on our yorkie and keeping prices affordable while still providing a quality cut that’s very rare now a days!!!!

I am never disappointed with the grooming of my Bischon. She always looks Perfect!!

I like their price and work, I will return very soon!

This guy is horrible messed my yorkie hair up cut her hair really bad

Can always get an appointment and reasonable. Owner is Cubs Super Fan!