At Penny’s Paw Spa, we believe that regular grooming isn’t just about looking cute (though we love a fresh cut and wagging tail)—it’s about your dog’s health, comfort, and happiness. A clean, well-maintained coat helps prevent matting, keeps the skin healthy, and gives us the perfect chance to check for anything unusual like bumps, tangles, fleas, or dry patches. It’s also our time to pamper your pup—trimming nails, cleaning ears, tidying up eyes, paws, potty areas, and even checking those tricky anal glands. Whether your dog just needs a quick nail trim or a full spa day, we’ve got them covered.

Regular grooming also helps with socialization and builds trust, making future appointments easier and more enjoyable for your fur baby.

Every pup is unique, and we tailor our grooming services with your dog’s needs—and your preferences—in mind. Whether you’re here for a full spa day or a quick nail trim, we’re honored to be part of your pet’s care team.

Have questions? Just ask! We’re always happy to walk you through your pet’s grooming plan. After all, at Penny’s Paw Spa, we treat your dog like family—because to us, they are.

Matting happens when hair gets tangled into tight clumps—sometimes hidden under an otherwise fluffy-looking coat. If left unchecked, mats can tug at the skin, cause painful irritation, or trap moisture and dirt that leads to more serious problems.

We always do our best to gently work out tangles, but if matting is too severe, shaving may be the most humane (and safe) option. To help prevent this, brush your dog regularly—especially before and after baths—and use a metal comb that reaches all the way to the skin. How often? That depends on your pup’s coat and cut, but it could range from daily to once a week.

Shedding is totally normal—it’s just how dogs renew their coats. But without regular brushing or professional de-shedding, all that loose undercoat can build up, creating packed, matted areas that block airflow to the skin. This can cause irritation and discomfort, especially in double-coated breeds.

Our de-shedding services remove loose and dead hair, keeping your pet cooler, comfier, and cleaner. Regular brushing at home and routine visits with us are the best way to manage shedding—no matter the season!

There are two main types of coats:

• Double-coated breeds (like Huskies or Golden Retrievers) have a soft undercoat beneath longer guard hairs. This combination protects them from both heat and cold.
  
  

• Single-coated breeds (like Poodles or Yorkies) have only the top coat, without the fluffy underlayer.
  
  

Knowing your dog’s coat type helps us choose the best grooming methods to keep them healthy and happy.

We know it can be tempting to shave a thick-coated dog in summer—but doing so may actually hurt more than help. Their double coat works like insulation: keeping them warm in the cold and cool in the heat. Shaving can damage their natural coat for good, sometimes causing patchy regrowth or leaving them without protection from sun or weather.

We only recommend shaving double-coated dogs if it’s medically necessary, they’re severely matted, or your vet advises it. Otherwise, regular baths and brush-outs are the safest way to keep them cool and comfortable.

Shaving doesn’t stop shedding! It just makes the hairs shorter. Let us help manage shedding the healthy way instead.

Keeping your dog’s nails trimmed isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about posture, joint health, and comfort. Long nails can cause pain or even shift the way your dog walks, leading to long-term issues.

Dogs' nails contain a "quick" (a bundle of nerves and blood vessels). If nails grow too long, the quick grows with them, limiting how much can be trimmed safely. Regular trimming helps keep the quick short and the paws healthy.

We also check dew claws (the thumb-like nails) which don’t touch the ground and often grow faster. A good rule of paw? If you hear clicks on the floor—it’s time for a trim!

Some pups grow hair inside their ears, and whether or not to pluck it is a much-debated topic. Left unchecked, that hair can trap moisture and lead to odor or infection. But sometimes plucking can also irritate the sensitive skin inside the ear.

At Penny’s Paw Spa, we customize our care based on your dog’s needs. We always clear the area around the ears, and we’ll gently pluck the ear hair unless you request otherwise. Our goal is to keep those ears healthy, fresh, and comfy.

It’s not glamorous, but it’s important.

Dogs have two small glands located just inside their anus—one on each side. These anal glands (also called scent glands) naturally release a strong-smelling fluid when your dog poops, helping them mark their territory.

For many dogs, this process happens on its own. But in smaller breeds, older dogs, or pups with allergies or soft stool, the glands can get clogged or impacted because they aren't being emptied properly. This can lead to discomfort, swelling, or even infection.

That’s where anal gland expression comes in. It’s a quick procedure where we gently apply pressure to those glands from the outside to release the built-up fluid. Most dogs don’t love it—but they feel much better afterward!

Signs your dog might need their glands expressed:

• Scooting or dragging their rear on the ground
  
  

• Excessive licking or biting near their tail
  
  

• A strong, fishy odor
  
  

• Swelling or discomfort near their backside
  
  

At Penny’s Paw Spa, we offer external anal gland expression during full grooms or by request. We do it gently, cleanly, and with your pup’s comfort in mind. If we notice anything unusual, like infection or excessive swelling, we’ll let you know right away so you can follow up with your vet.