The Dog Store: NYC’s Ultimate Dog Groomer

A Trip to The Dog Store

Edward Alava came to NYC as a young aspiring photographer to follow his dreams, but quickly began to develop a different skill set around his love of dogs. “I was working for this woman who loved dogs just as much as I do. I met her because I was going to take photos of her store for her website.” Eventually, Edward decided to open his own store. Now his name is legendary in the dog-grooming community. “After two decades, every client knew me,” says Alava. Alava has been famous in the canine world of the rich and richer since 2009 when he first opened The Dog Store on the Upper East Side. He has always been an avid dog-lover and fondly reminisces about his teen years in San Francisco where he would rescue strays.

Vera Wang’s Lola, Sam, Frankie, and Cooper.

When taking your furry best friend to The Dog Store, you can expect the essentials, and a lot more. Services can include doggy yoga, hot-oil and conditioning treatments, and fun up-dos like the cornrows Alava did for Beyonce’s Shih Tzu, Munchie, “It’s everything you would want for yourself.” Alava explains the reasoning behind these over-the-top services. “It sounds crazy but it’s not that different than what you would do for yourself and if your dog enjoys it, you would want that for them every week too.” Munchie is one of the many A-list regulars Alava takes care of. This includes Simon Cowell’s Squiddly, Diddly and Freddy, Blake Lively’s Penny, and Vera Wang’s Lola, Sam, Frankie and Cooper. “These dogs have the best birthday parties; sometimes we have them at their homes, or sometimes we rent a room at a restaurant,” says Alava.

More Than a Dog Groomer

It would be incorrect to say that all Edward does is groom dogs. He’s designed dog bags, leashes, collars, and developed safe high-quality shampoos and conditioners. Edward also opened a boarding/summer camp in the Hamptons. “We are your canine concierge.” He explains, “You check in at the Four Seasons and the first thing your concierge gets you is your personal shopper, and they go everywhere because you’re coming in with your dog. I’m there to make sure your dog has the food it wants, walks it needs, and of course the luxury grooming.”
Alava does it all, from training dogs how to walk down aisles at your wedding to hosting black-and-white themed parties for poodles or constructing high-end doggy cabanas. Alava reminisces about the fun things he has done throughout the years. “It just feels good, I’m being very creative. I love building and designing; this helps me create wonderful things for dogs.” He also offers private jet and yacht training. “In the Hamptons when the boats come in or when you fly private, we get a lot of calls because smart owners want their dogs to be calm, so we give them a nice lavender bath to make them more relaxed,” Alava shares. “Also, we have to make sure that their paws and nails are perfectly manicured, so they don’t scratch the leather on the furniture or the seats.” Additionally, Alava has a mobile grooming unit that goes to your house in the Hamptons to pamper your four-legged friends.

The Dog Whisperer

There is no one better than Alava to turn to when looking for advice on how to care for a dog, young, old, or in between. His biggest tip for new dog owners is to groom your dog frequently. Every three weeks to be exact. “Having your dog go to the groomer regularly is like having an extra set of eyes to help you. Your groomer will find a tick in the dog that maybe you haven’t found, or something wrong inside your dog’s ear,” says Alava. Nonetheless, if you do not have access to a groomer, three things to keep in mind when grooming your pet at home are: don’t get soap in their eyes, keep their nails short (especially if they’re older), and blow-dry their paws and fur thoroughly. “You do not want your dog sitting in that wet hair or wet paws because that can cause allergies and fungus.”

Adopt-Don’t-Shop

Alava is a supporter of many animal-based charities including the ASPCA, Southampton Animal Shelter and American Humane Society. He is a firm believer in “adopt-don’t-shop”. He gives all dogs first-class service from celebrities to socialites and everyone from the neighborhood. “Dog owners love me because of the love I have for their dogs,” Alava explains. If you live in the city and have a dog that needs grooming, don’t think twice about heading to The Dog Store to give your best friend the treatment it deserves. thedogstoreny.com