Paw Barn

10/22/2026

🐾 MEET THE TEAM: LAVERNE 🐾

If you ask LaVerne, she's always gotten along better with animals than she does with people.

Honestly... we're not saying she's wrong 😂🐶

From an early age, she started training her own pets at home and learning how to communicate with them. Eventually, people started noticing her knack for understanding animals and began bringing their own pets to her for training.

Her love for animals really showed itself when her dad brought home a dog while LaVerne was a teenager. The dog was supposed to be *his* dog, but as these things go, somehow the responsibility naturally fell to LaVerne. She fed her, cleaned up after her, trained her, and even sang her to sleep. When LaVerne’s sister eventually asked their dad if she could do something with the dog, he simply looked at LaVerne and said:

“Ask LaVerne. That’s her dog.” 😂

In high school, LaVerne started exploring different career paths, trying everything from woodworking to working at a plant nursery. Then her godparents took her to a grooming shop one day to apply for a job.

The moment she walked in and looked around, she knew: this was what she wanted to do. ✂️🐶

Since then, LaVerne has worked with all kinds of dogs in several different salons. And somehow, along the way, she always seems to find her way back here, working alongside Skye.

She's worked with the big old dogs whose hips aren't what they used to be. She's worked with the little scared dogs who would very much like to discuss your grooming techniques with their teeth. 😅

And all of those experiences have taught her something really important:

Every dog has different needs when it comes to feeling safe and comfortable.

As LaVerne puts it:

“Big old dogs with rotten hips and small scared dogs that like to bite. All these things have given me the opportunity to learn what a dog needs to feel comfortable being groomed.”

And THAT is exactly the kind of experience we value at Paw Barn.

Because sometimes grooming isn't about getting the perfect groom as quickly as possible. Sometimes it's about slowing down, paying attention, earning trust, and figuring out what this particular dog needs.

LaVerne has a pretty good track record of understanding animals.

People? Well… we're still working on that. 😂

But we're awfully glad she's part of the Paw Barn team. ❤️🐾

Help us give LaVerne a big welcome! 👋

10/21/2026

🧼 GROOMING MYTH VS. REALITY 🧼

“My puppy doesn’t need to be groomed until they’re a year old.”

No. Please no. 😅

This is one of those myths that can make a puppy’s first grooming experience WAY harder and more stressful than it needs to be. And yes, sometimes even well-meaning breeders perpetuate this advice.

Puppies don’t have to come in for a full haircut right away—but they do need to start learning what grooming is.

Bathing. Brushing. Nail trims. Having their feet, ears and face handled. Hearing the dryer. Standing on a grooming table. Meeting a groomer.

These are all things your puppy can gradually learn to feel comfortable with while they’re young.

Waiting until a year old can mean their first real grooming experience is suddenly a lot to take in. They may be scared, overwhelmed, and unsure of what’s happening—and now their groomer has to work through all of that at once.

Let’s set your puppy up for success. 🐶❤️

Start introducing them to the grooming experience early, go at their pace, and help them learn that the grooming table doesn't have to be a scary place.

Because the goal isn't just a pretty haircut.

We want your puppy to grow into a dog who feels safe, comfortable, and confident coming to the groomer.

And that's something worth starting early. 🐾

10/20/2026

🐶🐾 I had no idea a dog's paw pads could reveal so much about their health! 😳

From dry and cracked pads to redness or unusual textures, even small changes might tell us something important about our furry friends! ❤️

Of course, every dog's paws are different, and not every change means something is wrong. But it's always worth paying attention! 🐕

Have you ever noticed anything unusual about your dog's paw pads, or are they usually soft and healthy? 🐾💕

10/20/2026

Every dog has that one thing. 😂

The weird little habit. The funny sound. The obsession with a particular toy. The way they spin in circles when you come home. The absolutely ridiculous sleeping position.

🐾 What’s your dog’s funniest or most unique quirk?

Tell us in the comments—we want to know! 👇

10/19/2026

🩺 WHAT YOUR GROOMER NOTICES 🐾

One of the things I love about grooming the same dogs regularly is getting to know what’s *normal* for them.

Because we spend so much hands-on time with your dog, we may notice little changes you haven’t had a chance to see yet—like a new lump or bump, changes in their skin or coat, an ear that looks irritated, a nail that’s bothering them, or even a change in behavior.

We don’t diagnose and we’re not a replacement for your veterinarian. But if something catches our attention, we may mention it and suggest having your vet take a look.

Sometimes it’s nothing. Sometimes it’s worth checking out.

Either way, we’d rather say something than ignore a change. ❤️

We see the dog—not just the groom. 🐶

10/18/2026

Let's Talk Weight: What Does Weight Have to Do With Grooming a Shepherd?

More than you might think!

German Shepherds have a LOT of hair, and getting all that undercoat clean, blown out, and brushed takes time. I've had large dogs take an hour or more just for the blow-drying process alone, not counting the bath, brushing, and everything else involved in the groom.

That means spending a fair amount of time standing, even with breaks along the way. We do our best to make the process as comfortable as possible, giving dogs opportunities to rest both on and off the grooming table.

But here's where weight comes into the picture. If a dog can't stand for even 10–15 minutes without constantly shifting its weight, dancing from foot to foot, or struggling to stay upright, that's a concern. And when you can actually see the muscles in their legs quivering under the strain of supporting their own body weight, it's time to pay attention.

Extra weight doesn't just affect how a dog looks. It can affect how comfortably they move, how long they can stand, and how well they tolerate everyday activities—including grooming.

For breeds like German Shepherds, who can already be prone to hip and joint problems, maintaining a healthy weight is especially important. Those extra pounds put additional stress on joints that may already be working harder than they should.

And from a groomer's perspective, we want more than a clean, beautiful coat. We want your dog to be comfortable throughout the process, too!

Weight management isn't about making your dog fit a certain look. It's about protecting their mobility, supporting their joints, and helping them enjoy a better quality of life for as long as possible.

10/17/2026

🎾 HAPPY NATIONAL FETCH DAY! 🐾

Every dog has their own idea of what “fetch” means. 😂

Is your dog a fetch fanatic who could play all day?
🎾 A ball destroyer who never actually brings it back?
😂 Or the dog who just watches everyone else play?

Tell us which one you’ve got! 👇🐶

10/16/2026

Fresh Cut Friday

10/14/2026

🐕 NATIONAL PET OBESITY AWARENESS DAY ❤️

A healthy weight is about more than how your dog looks. It can make a difference in their mobility, joints, energy, and overall quality of life.

Every dog is different, and there isn’t one “ideal” size or shape for every breed.

Not sure what’s healthy for your pup? Ask your veterinarian about their ideal weight and what you can do to help them stay there. 🐾

A few extra pounds can make a bigger difference than we realize. ❤️

📍 Need help finding a vet? Check out the list on our directory page!

Local Pet Services:

10/13/2026

🐾 Career Day at Lexington High School! 🐾

I had a great time participating in Lexington High School’s career day today! It was wonderful seeing so many different industries represented and getting the chance to share a little about the world of dog grooming. ✂️🐶

I hope the students walked away with something useful, whether it was a new career idea, a little inspiration, or simply a better understanding of what goes into doing a job you love.

You never know what conversation might spark an idea for someone's future! ❤️

Thank you to Lexington High School for the opportunity to be part of it! 🐾

Note: I've still got plenty of brochures left. If you or someone you know is interested in the industry, let me know. You're welcome to take one 😊