Related: Two dog owners say their pets died at same PetSmart after grooming appointments "Some former employees allege PetSmart's groomer training — which the company touts as the industry's very best — can fall short of what's advertised," the investigation said. "They say they have seen unprepared trainees rushed into stores because of short-staffing, putting dogs at greater risk of injury. "Increasingly, the company is pressuring groomers to meet sales quotas, the employees said, and many felt either ignored or retaliated against when they spoke up about safety concerns or wrongdoing by colleagues." The report added that many owners whose pets died were offered out-of-court payments. In accepting the payment, some had to sign nondisclosure agreements. Those agreements, the investigation said, required them to delete negative comments and social media posts.