Life of Riley Washington, DC, Maryland

I really wanted to give Life of Riley a chance, especially after hearing about their incident with cutting a dog's quick. I had scheduled an apt for our long haired dog to receive his second cut, and when we arrived they said no apt had been booked. They were able to accommodate us in the afternoon. Upon driving for a second time across town (30 minutes each way), they told us they wouldn't demat our dog despite committing to doing so when the apt. was initially booked and having done it before knowing what was involved. We would have preferred they told us no from the get go based on previous experience and seeing our dog this morning. I would NOT recommend... their scheduling is faulty, their staff are lazy, and it is shocking they get away with it especially considering the $$$ they charge!

Great, clean facility with friendly staff. I usually expect my fluffy chow mix to take up to 4 hours for a full groom and de-shed, but they finished up her groom and my other dog's bubble bath in approximately 2 hours. The groomers really seemed to know what they're doing, and it was so great getting a text update when it was time to pick the dogs up. The prices are comparable to other DC groomers. I will continue to go to Life of Riley for dog grooming so long as I am living in DC proper.

I take my very nervous 20lb shorkie to get groomed by Sunshine and my dog always looks great! My pup hates being groomed. I have had other groomers just give up midway through. I don’t know what magic Sunshine possesses but whatever Sunshine does it works! We’ve now been going for a few years and I just noticed that I don’t even think my dog gets nervous anymore . . . He was calm when I dropped him off and a happy pup when I picked him up. I couldn’t be more pleased with the service I receive! Thank you!!!

Two visits for our frisky mix terrier and both a success. Could not have been better.

Really lovely pet spa with great customer service (both human and dog). My pup came out looking and smelling great and they only took a couple of hours! Would def go back again .

I took my dog X a black Labrador for a weekend stay and when I got him he had a huge bruise on his top nose and the excuse that he got it from when he was in this old crate. I think that was unacceptable that I was was not advised that he had injured himself and I was left to found when I went to go pick him up. And also I don’t understand why the staff at using old crate the are unsafe for pets. Unacceptable!

Life of Riley was professional from my first encounter until I picked up my dog after the grooming. I would highly recommend to my colleagues and friends.

Great groomer! Easy to set up an appointment, and turned a dirty dog floofy and clean

When you go, ask for Sunshine! They are a very caring and detailed groomer. All of the groomers do great work but I can always tell the difference when Sunshine grooms my pup because her tear stains, coat and paws are all skillfully addressed. Having a chihuahua means that they hate many things, but she never hates seeing Sunshine!

5 starts for Grooming! I really like how my dog looks. They did a great job. Highly recommend them!

They never disappoint and my kids love our dog cut!

A bit too expensive for me. Sam's nails were much better than when I brought him in - so I'll continue this with you guys. However, I'll just give him a bath at home. Thx!

Just got my dog back from Life of Riley for a bath/groom and now his bark is very hoarse and strained. I’ve never heard my dog like this before. He barks all day long when we’re not home and he never sounds like the way he sounds now. I don’t know what happened or why his bark is different but it’s very concerning to think that it happened under their care.

I trust my baby there. He is really a shy and fu loving dog. To some a dog is a dog but to my family he is another child and I know that my dog is in good hands at Life of Riley .

Great when I go but they’re either too busy (for a 5 minute nail trim) or so overwhelmed they don’t respond at all. I’ve been hung up on on two different occasions while waiting for an appointment time and had my last appointment cancelled at the last minute without a reason

I want to thank the grooming manager of Life of Riley for not only delivering great service but listening and respecting their customers. I have been going here for three years and love the service but had one mishap last week where a couple of basic requests weren't met for my dog's grooming. While I normally wouldn't call with a complaint, I was unemployed and paying $84 for the grooming was something I had to save up for. Having some basic requests unmet was frustrating for the price. She promptly refunded me a generous portion of the bill and explained the miscommunication. I also learned how to better express my preferences for the next grooming. Appreciated all her help and understanding and will continue to love Life of Riley!

We took our 1 1/2 year old Havanese there yesterday for his first grooming there. Sunshine groomed him and did a beautiful job and followed our instructions that we wanted him still fluffy/puppy cut. He came out looking like he was ready for Westminster and did not seem to be traumatized. This is his fifth grooming at a fifth location. We’ll be going back to Life of Riley. We think we’ve found his groomer!

Great place to take your pets for health and wellness.

We used to love both locations but have now had awful experiences since they were bought out by a big corporation. The cherry on the top was not being told that our dog had been bit under their care. She came home from 5 days of boarding with 3 new/open wounds on her torso consistent with a bite from another dog. When confronted, the owner said that “the bites were either not noticed or their used their judgment and decided they were old”. No apology, nothing. We even had her bathed immediately prior to pickup! How were fresh scabbed wounds and missing hair not noticed?? Take your dog somewhere safer, with more supervision.

If I could give zero stars I would. I used to regularly board and groom my two dogs here and had nothing but great things to say about them. They previously underwent a management change and everything changed. During their last boarding my two dogs were not given their medications whatsoever, or any of their comfort items including their blanket and toys. When I went to pick them up I found them absolutely covered in pee, on their faces, heads, and all other parts of their body that simply couldn’t be done unless they were forced to sleep in their soils for days.

My pup has been going here over 3 years. With the recent management change we have been once And will never return. My dog after a week of boarding wasn’t feed appropriately, only half his food was used, they couldn’t even find his food and bag on pick up. He couldn’t wait to leave. DO NOT TRUST them with your pet.

My dog is lovable but hates to be groomed. He was made to feel like he was home and came out looking amazing. The groomer Sunshine is WONDERFUL!! The new manager that you all have selected is very professional and seems to be very passionate about what she does. She's a KEEPER!!

I tried to set up a behavioral test for my dog three times at this LoR location. Once I received no response and twice I was told my reservation was cancelled only after I had already arrived to the business. The first time I contacted LoR I emailed and left a message to request a behavioral appointment. One day goes by and I get no response so I call again the following afternoon. I speak to a man who identifies himself as the manager. He said I could not come in that day because the person who administers the exams had already left. He then booked a behavioral exam for the next day, although I come to find out he selected a time that was outside the hours the business normally performs them. So when I arrived the staff member working said no one was there to do it and I had to come back another day (she was apologetic and did not understand why her colleague scheduled it then). So, I booked a second behavioral test for the following day. I arrived at the location and the man who claimed to be the manager was there and said that my reservation was cancelled and could not be done. I received no email, text, or call that it had been cancelled. It was not a professional and I haven't returned since. LoR may take good care of your dog, or groom them well, but I'll never know because I couldn't get past the front door. I would recommend going to Doozydogs a few blocks over, they're much more professional and slightly less expensive.

Our 10 year old dog has been getting groomed here for three years and every time we’ve been happy - and our dog is happy and fresh when he pick him up.

I really like Sunshine s a groomer.

Always quality pet grooming. The team at the front desk is always super friendly as well.

I took my dog in to get groomed and she came back limping and won’t touch her food. The woman who groomed her dropped her on her back and my dog is in a lot of pain. Please please don’t trust theses people with your pets

Four months ago I wrote a favorable review for Life of Riley - I no longer use them and left with money in my account. New management, under new ownership, isn't the least bit interested in what the customer wants. My dog was highly allergic to the 'perfume' used and despite a notation in his record, was slathered with the stuff. The response was snippy and uncaring.

Great job on my puppy. Everything done considerately and professionally!

Lack of communication and transparency. Totally chaotic environment. No one answers the phone. Ownership has changed hands and quality control/customer service has plummeted.