Real feedback from pet owners across Marion and Waupaca County who bring their animals to us.
My golden, Biscuit, has been coming here for about four years now. He's always come out looking and smelling great, but what keeps me coming back is how calm he is when I pick him up. He's not a nervous dog, but you can still tell when a dog has had a stressful appointment versus a relaxed one. With Mid Town, he always seems fine. That's not nothing when your dog's overall comfort is something you think about.
Anyone who owns a husky knows what shedding season looks like. I drove up from Clintonville the first time because someone at work recommended Mid Town, and I've been going back ever since. The de-shedding treatment actually works — my truck after pickup is not a fur explosion like it used to be. The staff explained what they were doing and what I could do at home between visits. Good, practical advice without feeling like a sales pitch.
Finding someone willing and able to groom a Maine Coon is harder than I expected. My cat, Duchess, is not small, not docile, and has a coat that mats faster than I can keep up with. Tanya here has been wonderful with her. She clearly understands that cats are not small dogs — the pace, the handling, all of it is different. Duchess doesn't love the experience, but she's not traumatized by it either, which is honestly the most I can ask for.
Our dog, Murphy, is 13 and has some arthritis in his back legs. Standing for a full groom is hard on him. I was honest about this when I called, and they were already familiar with modifications for older dogs — shorter sessions, more breaks, letting him sit for certain parts. They also mentioned a small skin tag on his ear that I hadn't noticed. I brought it up at his vet appointment and the vet said it was benign but worth monitoring. That kind of observation means a lot.
I brought my Bernedoodle puppy, Hazel, for her first groom when she was about 14 weeks. I was nervous — she's extremely fluffy and I'd heard stories about puppies having bad first experiences. Rachel took extra time with her, didn't push through if Hazel seemed overwhelmed, and the whole appointment was shorter and lighter than a regular groom — just getting her used to things. Now, a year in, Hazel walks in willingly. That first session made a real difference.
I have two rescue dogs — one is totally fine with nail trims, one is not. The difficult one has bitten three different people at various vets and grooming places. I told them upfront. They didn't dismiss my concern or assure me it would be fine. They asked questions, discussed their approach, and handled it better than anywhere else I've tried. Both dogs got trimmed, and the second one — the difficult one — was stressed but manageable. I appreciated the honesty and patience.
Standard poodles are a commitment in terms of grooming. I come in for full grooms every 6-8 weeks and the service has been completely consistent. Same quality, same care, same results. I've had appointments with different groomers here and it doesn't seem to matter — the standard stays the same. That kind of consistency is what turns a first appointment into a years-long relationship.
Brought my German Shepherd, Axel, in for a de-shedding treatment before summer. The difference was significant — not just in how he looked, but in how much less hair was coming off on everything at home over the weeks that followed. They also recommended a brushing frequency that would help extend the results. I'd give 5 stars but the wait time for an appointment was about 2 weeks out, which I understand but worth knowing if you need a quick turnaround.
Goldendoodles are notorious for matting and my girl, Penny, is no exception. I've been to other groomers who shaved her down without warning when they found a mat. Here, they always call first if the coat is in a state that might require more significant changes, and they explain the options. I appreciate being treated like an adult who can make decisions about my own dog's grooming. It's a small thing but it matters to me.
My lab, Chester, found something unspeakable in the woods behind our property and needed an emergency bath. I called Mid Town hoping they could squeeze us in and they managed to fit us in the next morning. Chester smelled like a dog again within the hour. Professional, efficient, and no drama about a last-minute booking. Simple as that.
My miniature schnauzer, Otto, needs specific breed styling that not every groomer is confident doing. When I asked about their experience with schnauzers during my first call, the person didn't just say "yes we do that" — they actually talked about the scissor work around the beard and eyebrows, and asked about whether I wanted a traditional or modified look. That's the kind of detail that tells you someone actually knows the breed.
Bernese Mountain Dogs are big and they have a lot of coat. Finding someone who handles large breeds well — meaning without being rough about it — was a process. Mid Town handled my Berner, Greta, with confidence. She's 110 pounds and doesn't always cooperate. They were patient and didn't make me feel guilty for having a large dog that's not perfectly still on a table. She looked wonderful and the staff was straightforward about the time it took.
My cocker spaniel, Rosie, is prone to ear infections and needs regular ear cleaning as part of her grooming routine. I've been very specific about this with every groomer I've used. Mid Town is the first place where I've felt confident it's actually being done correctly, not just checked off a list. They showed me what they found during one appointment and explained why it mattered. I've had far fewer ear issues with Rosie since switching here.
Drive from Bowler isn't short, but it's worth it. My labradoodle, Archie, has a wavy coat that's tricky to manage and I'd had inconsistent results everywhere else. Mid Town has been consistent for over two years. They also remember him — not just his name, but his quirks. He doesn't like his back legs touched until he's settled. They know that. Somewhere in there they've written it down or it's just habit at this point. Either way, it shows.
My Ragdoll, Miso, needs professional grooming every few months because her coat is so dense it mats around the belly and legs. Tanya does a good job — gentle, methodical, and she's clearly comfortable with cats. Miso is never thrilled about the trip but she's not frantic when I pick her up. Knocked off half a star only because I've had some trouble getting through on the phone to book — they seem busy, which I understand, but it's something to know going in.
My shih tzu, Belle, has been coming here since she was a puppy. She's now seven and has had probably forty or fifty appointments at this point. Every single one has been fine. That sounds like a low bar, but if you've ever had a bad grooming experience with a dog you love, you know it's not. The reliability here is something I genuinely value, especially with a breed that needs grooming every 6 weeks without fail.
My border collie's nails had gotten out of hand and she was slipping on the hardwood floors. I came in as a walk-in and they squeezed me in between scheduled appointments. Quick, professional, no drama. Nails look correct — they didn't just clip the tips, they actually got them back to a length where the quick will recede over time. That tells me they know what they're doing and not just going through the motions.
My 15-year-old beagle mix, Cleo, has dementia and is very disoriented in unfamiliar settings. I was upfront about this when I made the appointment. They asked thoughtful questions — what her triggers are, whether she has hearing or vision loss, how she reacts to strangers. The appointment was handled beautifully. They kept her appointment short and focused. I picked up a dog that was clean and not in distress. That's all a senior dog owner can ask for.
One thing I appreciate: they didn't try to talk me into shaving my Aussie. Some groomers push the shave for double-coated breeds in summer — it's faster for them and seems logical, but it's actually not recommended for the breed. Mid Town did a proper brush-out and de-shed and explained why shaving isn't the right call. That's the kind of advice you hope to get from a professional. My dog looked great and his coat is healthier for it.
My cavapoo, Noodle, had her first grooming appointment here when she was 12 weeks. I'll be honest — I cried a little leaving her. The staff was understanding and even sent me off with a reassurance that was calm and genuine, not just a reflexive "she'll be fine." They were right. She was fine. She's been back six times and each time she trots in like she's going somewhere good. That outcome starts with the very first appointment, and they got that right.