Local car wash has gone to the dogs
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At The Dog Wash
View video of The Dog Wash, a recent addition to Janesville's Auto Spa Express. Click to play
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Patrick Pleiss looks on as his 3-year-old son Luke stands in a sink and rinses off their chocolate lab Hershey at The Dog Wash on Milton Ave. in Janesville.
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Jacob and Emma Becher of Janesville wash their lab Mac while Patrick Pleiss washes his dog Chief in the background at the self serve dog wash at Auto Spa Express on Milton Ave. in Janesville.
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Deanna Vanderhei of Milton vacuums water and loose fur from her miniature American Eskimo dog Ivy at The Dog Wash.
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Options for the Dog Wash are displayed on a sign.
JANESVILLE — Buster wasn’t sure he wanted to walk up the non-slip ramp and into the stainless steel tub.
The 7-year-old German shepherd just needed a little coaxing from his owner, Steve Bickle of Janesville.
At first, Buster looked uncomfortable as he tried to position his 101-pound frame, while hooked to the restraining leash. But after getting situated, he sat comfortably and watched the traffic pass by through the big glass windows at The Dog Wash, a recent addition to Auto Spa Express, 2904 Milton Ave.
“He’s pretty good about baths,’’ Bickle said as he soaked the thick fur of his best friend.
“The first couple times he was nervous,” Bickle said. “But now he’s fine.’’
The Dog Wash opened in November and celebrated with a grand opening Dec. 4, said Justin Stubbendick, manager.
Owners Tony and Niki Ruiz knew there weren’t any other do-it-yourself pet washes around here but learned of some in Milwaukee and one in Racine, where they went for a visit.
“We thought it was definitely doable,” Stubbendick said of the idea.
It was, and even on a larger scale in a more inviting and spacious facility, he said.
Although the trendy dog wash concept has been around for a while on the West coast, Stubbendick said the idea would hang around because it’s useful and gives pet owners the opportunity to wash their dogs themselves instead of taking them to a groomer or veterinarian.
“Good boy,” Bickle said as he shampooed Buster.
“This works out really well and better than at home,” Bickle said, moving around the waist-high tub with easy access to Buster.
“It’s all right here for you,” Bickle said, referring to the shampoo, conditioner, flea and tick treatment, warm water, blow dryer and vacuum.
“He’s so soaked, to get him dried takes a little while,’’ Bickle said, as Buster stood up, shook and got Bickle wet.
As Bickle pointed the nose of the air-temperature blow dryer nozzle at Buster’s skin to fluff the fur, Buster began to whine and fidget. A few barks, between the whines, grew more frequent throughout the 45-minute process, as Buster licked his owner’s face in a plea to be done.
“It’s a really good idea and saves me the mess and hassle at home,” said Bickle, who prefers the do-it-yourself method for several reasons.
“I feel more comfortable handling Buster myself. He’s a little temperamental, and it’s cheaper. I took him to another place in town and by the time they got him dried out, cut his hair and I got him back (five hours later) they charged me $100.’’
Even though Bickle spent $20 washing Buster, the basic dog wash costs $10.
Others who have used The Dog Wash agree it’s great.
Beth Cantwell of Janesville has taken her family’s 2-year-old German shepherd Ginger to The Dog Wash almost a half-dozen times.
“It’s really nice, works great and is reasonable,’’ Cantwell said.
“It’s just like a car wash. You pick the settings and the 10 minutes is plenty of time,’’ she said.
Deanna Vanderhei of Milton tells everybody she can about The Dog Wash.
“I absolutely love that I will never again have to bend over the bathroom tub, make a huge mess out of the bathroom, have a wet dog running around the house and have about five wet towels that have to be washed,’’ she wrote in an e-mail to Stubbendick.
“My kids love being able to help give Ivy her bath, which is not possible in the bathroom,’’ Vanderhei said of the family pet, an American Eskimo dog.
“Since November, we’ve had multiple customers come back three or four times,’’ said Stubbendick, who estimated the do-it-yourself service has been used 250 times since opening.
If you go
What: The Dog Wash
Where: Auto Spa Express, 2904 Milton Ave., Janesville
Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Doors lock a half-hour prior to close.
Phone: (608) 756-8561
Web site: www.janesvilledogwash.com
Mar 22, 2008 at 4:26 p.m.
Suggest removal
Just got back from washing my golden retriever. It was great to get all the dirt out of his hair from going to the dog park all winter. Usually I go to Petco which costs me $50. Today I spent $20 and got the whole process done in 24 minutes. If you have a long haired dog, it is hard to get done in less than that. But, he did great going up the ramp. The place was really clean and warm enough. I will be using this place year round for my three dogs!!!
Mar 21, 2008 at 2:59 p.m.
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What a great idea!
Mar 21, 2008 at 1:45 p.m.
Suggest removal
That's cool!
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