Before business owner Mike Kelly became affectionately known as "Mike the Dog Guy," his life was marked by deep connections with some unforgettable four-legged companions. First there was Sally, then Buttons, Dreyfus, Oliver, Gordo, and Tuffy—all different breeds and sizes, but equally adored. Tuffy holds a special place in Mike’s heart after he discovered the poor pup living under a crate in the Bronx. And while Mike may have done the rescuing, Tuffy, in the way that only dogs can, gave more than he took.
Growing up in Cranford NJ, Mike’s whole family loved animals. But his life did not intentionally land in the “dog business.” He spent many years as a mortgage lender and planned to continue his career in the banking industry. It was not until one of his dogs – a Newfoundland weighing in at 170 pounds - proved to be a challenge come bath time. Mike loved taking him on hikes, adventuring outside to his favorite trails and fishing holes. But when he came home covered in mud, they both became stressed about the inevitable bath to come. I mean, how does one bathe a gentle giant of a dog at home? Not to be deterred, Mike built a makeshift dog bath in his garage. Here, he could walk Tuffy in without having to lift him. No more clogged drains and messy, space constrained tubs. Mike’s “garage bath” improved the quality time he shared with Tuffy, and kick started his transformation from “Mike the Banker” to “Mike the Dog Guy.”
In 2011 Mike found a great retail spot in Garwood to launch his self-service dog wash, and not long after, he added full-service grooming and dog care products. Aptly named IN•N•OUT™ Self-Service Dog Wash & Full-Service Grooming, Mike celebrated the opening of his second location in Colonia earlier this year. But his shops have come a long way from the garage bath. Each location has individual wash stalls, easy access dog ramps, restraining loops for extra safety, automatic water pressure for easy lathering, no-burn blow dryers and fresh towels that are left for someone else to wash after you leave. Best of all, even self-service walk-in customers can request staff assistance with nail clipping and ear cleaning. This is where the real differentiator at IN•N•OUT™ resides. Mike hires only the most caring, experienced groomers to ensure that every puppy leaves happy and clean. They are Certified Vet Techs, each with over 20+ years of experience that know how to manage even the most anxious of dogs.
With continued success, Mike has been able to add new products and services that help people care for their beloved pets. The game changer for his business occurred after he became the Authorized Dealer of Invisible Fence® Brand products in 2018.
Who let the dog out, you ask? We don’t know, but it wasn’t Mike.
A day barely goes by without hearing of a lost dog in the area, and the distraught owners desperate to find them. And while a pet containment system can provide happiness, safety and longevity to our pets, many owners have misconceptions that Mike is eager to clarify.
The most common misconceptions about Invisible Fence include “it won’t work on MY dog,” “it will hurt my dog” and “it is cost prohibitive” says Mike. None of these are true with a professionally installed system. Unlike DIY electric fences, Invisible Fence® combines exclusive technology with animal-behaviorist approved training, for proven results and success. “Training is the most important part of teaching your pet to stay within safe boundaries” says Mike. Certified pet trainers get to know your pet. They use a systematic, gentle training approach that is approved by veterinarians and customized to a pet’s personality, breed, and situation. The tenets of the training include visual cues, audio tones and praise. On repeat. It takes approximately three sessions over the course of 7-10 days to be fully trained. Once completed, dogs are happy to run around knowing they are safe and secured, often without the expense of a physical fence structure. There are even products for inside the home. More and more pet owners are solving age-old issues like furniture chewing, counter surfing and off-limit rooms by placing Invisible Fence discs in strategic locations. Coupled again with systematic training, homes and rooms have been reclaimed.
As Mike’s business continues to expand, his boys Johnny and Mikey have teamed up with their dad to help with installations and training. A family business focused on all things dog? I am officially jealous.