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| Monday, Sep 4 2006 5:45 PM
Last Updated: Monday, Sep 4 2006 7:10 PM
To many pet owners, a self-serve dog wash consists of a hose and bucket in the backyard. But one small business in Tehachapi has a different idea. Canine Creek Dog Wash and Boutique is a self-serve dog wash that provides a waist-high bathtub, shampoo, facial soap, brushes, towels and even doggy cologne for after the bath. And unlike washing your pet at home, you don't have to clean up the mess when Rover emerges from the suds.
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Canine Creek is a one-stop shopping experience, according to store owner Susie Atherton. The shop offers self-serve washing and grooming as well as food, treats, toys and clothing. It even has a few items for the feline members of the family.
"Initially, people thought I was either an idiot or a genius. They weren't quite sure what a dog wash was and it took a while to get them used to the concept. I think now people enjoy it. It is a very unique concept and it's really fun," Atherton said.
The self-serve dog wash offers customers the chance to bond with their dog as they wash them.
"The dogs are nervous when they first come in because they aren't sure what to expect. The great thing is that they are less nervous than if you just dropped them off at a groomer because they have their people with them. The owner stays with them and works with them the whole time," Atherton said.
Rosie, a mixed-breed dog, walks through the door with slight hesitation. Then, she sees her friend. Rosie runs to Atherton to say hello, remembering her last visit when Atherton gave her a treat. The metal stairs are moved to the tub. Rosie pauses, then puts one foot on the step, then another. Finally, with help from her owner, she plops into the bath. Her owner gives a reassuring "good girl, good puppy" to calm Rosie as the first splash of shampoo hits her back.
With the gentle rub of a white towel and a quick blow dry, Rosie is clean. She climbs down from the bath to receive a peanut butter-flavored dog treat for her brave behavior.
Customer Bob Azevedo said when he washes his dog Buddy at home, he has a hard time getting all the shampoo out of his coat.
"At home, you can't use this much water. This way you can get all the soap off of them. That's the best part about it," he said.
Every dog is offered a treat after their bath, but only some of them accept it. Dawn Callahan said her dog Hondo rebels against taking the treat.
"Usually he loves treats, but if you tried to give him a treat now, he'll turn up his nose. He's going to pout for the next hour or so just to let me know he's not happy," Callahan said.
The goal of Canine Creek is not only to make dogs beautiful on the outside, but healthy on the inside. To promote a nutritious diet, Canine Creek often sends free samples home with the dogs.
"Our goal is to help people take better care of their animals not only with baths, but nutrition as well," Atherton said.
Because of their efforts to promote healthy, happy dogs, Canine Creek has just been named "Retailer of the Year" by Pet Product News International.
"This is a huge thing for a small business in a small town," said Atherton. "I am just overwhelmed. This is a very big honor because Pet Product is an international magazine that has been around for 60 years. They had hundreds of stores to choose from."
The well-rounded nature of the business was one of the reasons it was selected for the award, according to Carol Boker, editor of Pet Product News. Canine Creek was named the winner out of approximately 200 entries.
"It was the way (Atherton) takes on everything. She started with just a dog wash. Now her retail section is 85 percent of her gross income. She is also very involved in the industry," Boker said. "In the last few years there have been more and more dog and cat boutiques. (Atherton's store) combines the boutique with service."
Canine Creek opened its Tehachapi location in 2004. Atherton is currently looking for a location in Bakersfield to open another shop. She said they already get a lot of customers from Bakersfield as well as Mojave, Keene and California City.
"We have an increasing number of Bakersfield customers. We do radio advertising and that has helped," Atherton said.
She hopes to open a Canine Creek in Bakersfield sometime next year.